Battle of Kadesh
Orontes River, near Kadesh (modern-day Lebanon–Syria border)
What happened
Pharaoh Ramesses II of Egypt fought King Muwatalli II of the Hittite Empire, whose brother Hattusili, the future Hattusili III, probably also took part. Ramesses marched north to win back land near the city of Kadesh, beside the Orontes River. Two men who said the Hittite army was far away were really spies, and Hittite chariots surprised the Egyptian camp. Ramesses rallied his troops, more Egyptian soldiers arrived, and the battle ended with no clear winner while the Hittites kept Kadesh.
Why it matters
Result: Inconclusive. Leaders: Ramesses II against Muwatalli II / Ḫattušili III. Why it matters: It is the earliest pitched battle in recorded history whose tactics and formations are known. It is also thought to be the largest chariot battle ever fought, with about 5,000 to 6,000 chariots.
What came next
About 15 years later, Ramesses II and the new Hittite king Hattusili III signed a peace treaty, the earliest international peace treaty known to historians. A large replica of it hangs at United Nations headquarters.
Did you know?
Both sides claimed victory, and Hattusili III later wrote to Ramesses to complain about the pharaoh's boasts about the battle.
Timeline
- Year 4 of Ramesses IIRamesses campaigns into Syria to recapture the province of Amurru or to test his vassals' loyalty.
- May 1274 BCEThe armies meet at Kadesh on the Orontes River.
- Years 8 and 9 of Ramesses IIRamesses captures the Hittite-held cities of Dapur and Tunip, though they soon return to Hittite control.
- 1258 BCEEgypt and the Hittites sign a peace treaty.