This evening I started reading an interesting book.

The Battles of Armageddon: Megiddo and the Jezreel Valley from the Bronze Age to the Nuclear Age by Eric H. Cline looks at the many battles that have been fought in this area throughout the ages.

While reading the first few chapters I have though of my visit to Megiddo. You can see my original post from the day that I visited by clicking on: Sea to Sea

The ruins of Megiddo are very impressive. I was surprised as to how large the tel was. In the picture above you can see steps that went up the mound to the gates.

Megiddo is strategically located along one of the most important ancient routes between Egypt and the Euphrates region. Because of this strategic location many battles have been fought here.

Megiddo is at the edge of the Jezreel Valley near the entrance to the narrow Musmus Pass. The book begins by drawing parallels between a battle fought there in WWI and a battle fought more than 3,000 years ago between the Egyptians and the Canaanites. General Allenby used his knowledge of military history to use a similar strategy to lead the Allies to victory.

From Megiddo you have a great view of the Jezreel Valley. Many battles have been fought in this valley. The author lists 35 major battles that have been fought here, with many of them being major turning points in history.

In this picture you see the hills of Lower Galilee, Mount Tabor and the Hill of Moreh in the distance.

For a panorama shot from the same location that includes Mount Carmel and Mount Gilboa you can click here: Jezreel Valley panorama

Megiddo was well prepared to endure a siege. In the picture above our tour group is descending down into the Megiddo water system. The city had a tunnel that led to the spring of Megiddo that provided them with a source of water during a siege. They also had a large capacity for food storage. Both of these were important resources when under siege by an enemy.

I knew that many battles had been fought in the Jezreel Valley, but not as many as are listed in this book. The Christians of the first century would have definitely understood John’s symbolic use of Armageddon as a victory of good over evil.

Steven