Retracing our steps to the Great Court via the exit to the east of Ramses III's court, we find ourselves in the portico of the Bubastides which is embellished with reliefs and inscriptions of the Pharaohs of the 22nd Dynasty. The rear door of this portico leads to the Triumphal Monument of Sheshonk I , which is situated on the outside of the southern tower of the second pylon. This scene commemorates the victory of Shishak of the Bible over Rehoboam, son of Solomon the King of Judah, when Solomon's temple was robbed of its riches. Beneath Amon is the goddess Mut holding a club, bow and quiver, leading five rows of captives carved in perfect symmetry . To the right Sheshonk is grasping a group of captives by the hair and striking them with his raised club.
The Biblical passages mentioned this campaign are:
In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem.26He took away the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king’s house. He took away everything. He also took away all the shields of gold that Solomon had made, 27and King Rehoboam made in their place shields of bronze, and committed them to the hands of the officers of the guard, who kept the door of the king’s house. 28And as often as the king went into the house of the LORD, the guard carried them and brought them back to the guardroom. (1Kings 14:25)
