Via Maris (Latin for: way of the sea) is the name of an ancient route connecting the land of Egypt, through the southern Levant and to the kingdoms in Syria and Mesopotamia (Assyria, Babylon, Persia, etc.) The road functioned as a crucial artery for the flow of trade and military forces between empires. Key cities in the southern Levant, like Megiddo, Hazor, Ashdod, and Gaza, emerged along its path, owing to Canaan’s role as a vital corridor and transit zone. Situated on the sea route, these cities gained significance during the Bronze and Iron Ages, continuing into later eras.
Originating in “Sile” in Egypt (Tel Abu-Seifeh, 2 miles east of Qantara), the road traced along the Sinai coast to El-Arish and Rafah before reaching Gaza City. From there, it extended along the Mediterranean coast through Ashkelon and Ashdod Yam. At this juncture, the road bifurcated: one branch proceeded along the Phoenician coast northward to the Lebanese coast Valley (Professor Yohanan Aharoni suggested that only this route be termed the ‘Sea Road’), while another turned eastward, passing by Megiddo and Beit Shean to reach the Sea of Galilee.
At the Sea of Galilee, the road diverged into three paths: one leading towards Acre, then along the Phoenician coast to Ugarit; another, more direct route continued north through Hazor to the Golan Heights and Damascus, further extending to the desert oasis of Tadmor, the Euphrates region, and eventually Hamath and Aleppo. A third route connected from the east via Beit Shean to the ‘King’s Road’ that traversed the Jordan region.
Historical records attest to the antiquity of this road. The Papyrus Anastasi I, dating back to the reign of King Ramesses II of Egypt in the 13th century B.C., mentions notes along the Phoenician coast to Rafah. Earlier, in the 15th century B.C., lists dated to the time of Thutmose III documented the sea route in the north of the Lowlands and the Sharon.
In biblical texts, the phrase ‘the road of the sea’ appears in Isaiah 8:23, referencing the Galilee region. In the Exodus story (Exodus 13:17), the road is described as the ‘Land of Philistines.’ The Latin translation of Isaiah referred to it as ‘via maris,’ while in the Middle Ages, it was known as ‘the road from Damascus to the sea.’
Numerous significant events along this route are chronicled, such as campaigns crossing from the Sharon to the Jezreel Valley, where narrow roads posed challenges, particularly at Nahal Iron. Megiddo, situated at a crucial intersection of international roads, figures prominently in war campaigns throughout history, including those of the Egyptians during the Middle and Late Bronze Ages and the conquests led by Joshua.
Sources
Aharoni, Y. 1978. The Land of the Bible: A Historical Geography.
Meshel, Z. 1973. “Was There a ‘Via Maris’?”. Israel Exploration Journal, Vol. 23, No. 3. pp. 162-166