Milkilu

Milki-ilu of Gezer (Milkilu, Milk-ilu, Ili-Milku), was the mayor/ruler of the Land of Gazru (Gezer) 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 (lu2-mešḫa-bi-ri; cf. Hebrews).

He is known from several letter in that Amarna Archive. There is one letter from the King of Egypt to Milki-ilu (EA 369), there are five letters from Milki-ilu to the King of Egypt (EA 267-271), 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.