Battle of Kadesh. Through this paper I will critically analyze the primary and secondary sources pertaining to the Egyptian battle at Kadesh between Ramses II and the Hittite king, Muwatallis, in an attempt to clarify what in my opinion transpired and wha

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                As the third emperor of Egypt's 19th Dynasty, Rameses II is revered as one of the most influential and pragmatic pharaohs of Egypt, with a reign marked by building and restoration programs and numerous military expeditions. He reigned for 67 years, coming into power as coregent, with his father, Seti I, at a very young age (Redford 182). Through this paper I will critically analyze the primary and secondary sources pertaining to the Egyptian battle at Kadesh between Ramses II and the Hittite king, Muwatallis, in an attempt to clarify what in my opinion transpired and what the consequences were to mean for those involved.

                Kadesh was a relatively small, but strategically located vassal state. Kadesh's location governed the trade routes of the Orontes Valley, a fact that garnered it considerable importance to both the Egyptians and the Hittites(Manley 92). The contention over the state was not new to Rameses II's reign however, as we see evidence of Rameses II's father Seti I's expedition and subsequent conquest of Kadesh prior to Rameses II's ascendency to the throne of Egypt. However, though Seti I may have taken Kadesh, by the time of Rameses II's reign, it was back in the hands of the Hittites.(Redford 181)

             From the onset of his reign, Rameses II's intention to renew a struggle for southern Syria is evident. He can be seen preparing for the coming hostilities, expanding the eastern Delta city of , his new capital, to act as a staging point for operations in the Levant. In his fourth regnal year, during the summer of 1275 BC, Rameses led his army into southern Syria for the first time as king, succeeding in returning the Amurru kingdom to the Egyptian fold.(Kitchen 51)

    As the Egyptians approached Kadesh from the north, they were misled by two Shasu tribesmen working for the Hittites, into believing that the enemy had withdrawn. As the Egyptians marched forward, they discovered two Hittite spies, and after interrogation, were informed that Muwatallis awaited them with a huge composite force of Kheta and its allies. With their ranks split, the Egyptians were ambushed by the marauding Hittite chariotry. The Re division was routed. The chariots then charged into the Egyptian camp where the division of Amun was caught off guard. As the Egyptian forces suffered heavy losses, Rameses II almost single handedly repelled the Hittite onslaught, and the timely arrival of the Ne'arin reinforcements helped the Egyptians hold off the Hittites until the divisions of Ptah and Seth arrived.

                 This provides a brief framework for the overall action as reserved in Egyptian records. Over the years, every detail of the battle's records, both in the reliefs and the inscriptions, has undergone considerable critical analysis. The battle may be the earliest military action recorded in detail(Manley 93), but there are numerous specifics that are either missing or are debatable. In fact, Rameses II certainly presented the battle with an obvious prejudice, particularly towards his own actions and deeds.

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                The information gathered from the primary sources; the reliefs and inscriptions from Rameses' monuments, depicts the Pharaoh in a very positive and heroic light. The reliefs show him much larger in size relative to any of the soldiers, be they Egyptian or Hittite and in the depiction of the Hittite onslaught. It is clear that the Egyptians were outnumbered in this encounter and in the reliefs one can observe Egyptian forces suffering heavy losses around Rameses. One can clearly  make out a larger than life Rameses in the centre of the skirmish, armed with his bow, atop his chariot, almost ...

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