For those interested, here is a cross-post from Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea and Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East Co-Designer Mark McLaughlin’s blog where he shares an audio recording of the account from Pharoh Rameses III describing his victory over the Sea Peoples. In this article, Mark also discusses the Sea Peoples as they appear in both of his ancient world games. You can also read this article on his blog here. Enjoy!

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The invasion of the Sea Peoples in the 12th century BC hit the eastern Mediterranean world with thunderclap surprise. Most established kingdoms were swept away by this mass migration of entire nations — not just raiders or warriors or tribes but entire nations — which hurled themselves upon their shores with devastating and overwhelming power.

One — and only one — of the great kingdoms survived that angry flood: Egypt. It did so by the narrowest of margins, and thanks to the courage, skill, and tenacity of one man: Pharoh Rameses III. His victory over the Sea Peoples is inscribed both in words and pictures on the walls of temples and monuments. Seeing and reading that story is one thing — but to hear it? That is another experience altogether, and one made even richer by the actor who reads those words in this short but moving video.

Why am I posting this? First, of course, is my interest in the period. Second, I not only read books, paint miniature soldiers, and play wargames set in this era, but I also design boardgames in which these kingdoms, nations, peoples, and events occur.

The Sea Peoples — and Egypt — appear in both of my games on the ancient world. Egypt is a major and playable civilization in both Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea and Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East. In the first game the Sea Peoples are a playable faction in a scenario but otherwise are represented only by cards — nasty cards that unleash hordes of barbarian invaders on the shores of other civilizations. Some of these cards are present in the second game, but a player can also choose the Sea Peoples as their playable civilization.

Here is the prototype for the Sea Peoples in Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East:

And here is the prototype Civilization Display for the Egyptians in Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East:

So you can see why I was so moved by that clip, with the actor speaking as if he were Ramses telling this stirring tale of war — and survival.

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