The Shekelesh were one of the nine Sea Peoples who were active in the eastern Mediterranean during the 13th and 12th centuries BC. The Shekelesh, originating from the Sicels of Sicily, were said by the Hittite king Suppiluliuma II to have lived on their ships, and the Shekelesh pirates served as auxiliary troops for the Libu leader Meryey during the reign of Pharaoh Merneptah. During the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses III, the Shekelesh, Peleset, Tjeker, Denyen, and Weshesh formed a foothold in the Amurru kingdom before Ramesses vanquished the coalition at the Battle of Djahy in 1178 BC.
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Shekelesh charging into battle