The Battle of Kadesh

Overview of The Battle of Kadesh “The Greatest Battle in Ancient History”

One of the biggest fights in history took place in 1274 BCE, and it is renowned for being an act of peace rather than conflict because it resulted in the signing of the first peace treaty in human history. The Battle of Kadesh is regarded as Ramesses II’s crowning achievement.

The city of Kadesh in Syria was added to the Egyptian empire in the fifth year of Ramesses II’s rule because it was an important stop on the commerce routes and a strategic location for Egyptian expansion in Syria. The Hittites of Anatolia gained power over time and started to test the might of their neighbors, including Egypt. Many pharaohs, including Akhenaten and Tutankhamun, failed to halt or even control their advancement as they grew bold enough to fortify areas on or near Egypt’s borders, and then king Ramesses II recognized them as a serious threat to the future of his kingdom.

The army of the Hittites, led by their monarch “Muwatalli II,” consists of 40,000 warriors and 3,000 chariots that are heavier than the typical Egyptian chariot. King Ramses II prepared his army, which consists of 20,000 men and 2,000 chariots, to face off against this force. This is recognized as the largest chariot combat in history since it was thought to be the decisive factor in determining the outcome of the conflict. The Egyptian chariots were beaten into submission by the Hittite chariots, and since it appeared that triumph was imminent, they relaxed their guard. Ramses gathered his remaining men while they indulged in their arrogance and launched a counterattack with their lighter chariots, outmaneuvering them as they attempted to gather their composure. As Muwatalli II decided not to trap Ramesses II’s soldiers between the river and his army for an unexplained reason, Ramses II was able to push the enemy’s forces from the Orontes River.

King Ramses II was able to beat the Hittite’s army in battle but was unable to take the city of Kadesh, while King Muwatalli was unable to defeat the Egyptians as he had intended but was able to secure and protect the city. Both sides claimed victory. Many people believe the conflict was a draw, and eventually, after fifteen years of fighting, the two countries understood they would benefit more from choosing the route of peace. After Muwatalli II’s death in 1258 BCE, Hattusili III succeeded to the throne of the Hittite kingdom. It was under his rule that the world’s first peace treaty with Ramses II of Egypt was negotiated. As the two civilizations began to exchange knowledge, the Hittites taught the Egyptians the technique of agriculture and the Egyptians taught them how to create more advanced weaponry and equipment. The new relationship between the two countries has boosted both their financial and economic standing as well as the quality of life for their respective populations.