Milkilu


Milki-ilu of Gezer, was the mayor/ruler of the Land of Gazru around 1350 BC. He is known as the son-in-law of Tagi of Ginti-Kirmil and cooperating with Labaya of Shechem, during a period of turmoil among the vassals of Egypt. He is accused of being a rebel, employing mercenaries from the Habiru men.
He is known from several letter in that Amarna Archive. There is one letter from the King of Egypt to Milki-ilu, there are five letters from Milki-ilu to the King of Egypt, and several letters from other mayors mentioning Milki-ilu.
He is one of several known mayors of Gezer. Adda-danu and Yapahu were also mayors of Gazru.
The Amarna Period was characterized by the heretic king Akhenaten, succeeded by the boy-king Tutankhamen. Canaan consisted of smaller city-states and vassals of Egypt. At the same time, Suppiluliuma I of Hatti attacked Tushratta of Mitanni for control over Syria.

From Egypt

EA 369 from the King of Egypt to Milki-ilu of Gezer

In this letter the King of Egypt addresses his vassal as mmil-ki-li LU₂ urugaz-ri, meaning "Milki-'ilu, Man of Gezer" - with LU "Man" being a rank below LUGAL "Great Man; King" and LUGAL.GAL. It is often translated as "ruler, mayor, governor" of a land dominated by a city.
The name of the king is not mentioned. The reference to the god Amun argues against the reign of Akhenaten who removed Amun in favor of Aten. Amun was restored by Tutankhamun, into which reign the Great Syrian Wars of Suppiluliuma I eventually falls.

From Milki-ilu of Gezer to the king of Egypt

EA 267, title: "Safe and sound"

EA 268, title: "A consignment of personnel"

EA 269, title: "Archers and myrrh"

EA 269 – see: Pítati

EA 270, title: "Extortion"

See Yanhamu

EA 271, title "The power of the 'Apiru">Habiru">'Apiru"

See Yanhamu

Other letters mentioning Milki-ilu of Gezer

Jerusalem

EA 286 by Abdi-Heba of Jerusalem
EA 287 The ruler of Jerusalem states that Milki-ili had given bows and bronze arrows to Tagi and the sons of Labaya. Furthermore, Gezer, Ashkelon, and Lachish had given help to them and the Habiru men. It also mentions Piwuru, the King's Commissioner stationed at Gaza.
EA 289
EA 290

Rahabu

EA 249 makes it clear that Milki-ili was the son-in-law of Tagi , Jerusalem, Rahabu ).
EA 250

Labaya of Shechem

EA 254

Amarna letters (photos)

King of Babylon:
Tushratta:
"Alashiya kingdom" letters
Rib-Hadda letters:
  • ; ; See: Salhi
Abimilku:
Abdi-Tirši:
  • , ; ,
Biridiya:
  • ; ; ; Hannathon/Hinnatuna
Labaya:
Others:
  • ; see Yapahu
  • ; see: Milkilu
Category:Amarna letters writers
Category:Canaanite people
Category:14th-century BC mayors
Category:Gezer