HITT-01
John Jenkins Designs
Between the 15th and 13th centuries BC, the Hittites were one of the dominant powers of the near east, and clashed with the other main three powers, Egypt, the middle Assyrians and the empire of Mitanni.
The Hittite prosperity was mostly dependent on control of the trade routes and natural metal resources. Because of the imprtance of northern Syria to the vital routes linking the Cilician gates with Mesopotamia, defense of this area was crucial, and was challenged by the Egyptian expansion under Pharaoh Ramesses II.
The Battle of Kadesh took place in the 13th century BC between the Egyptian Empire led by pharaoh Ramesses II and the Hittite Empire led by King Muwatalli II. Their armies engaged each other at the Orontes river, just upstream of lake Homs and near the archaeological site of the fortified city of Kadesh. It is generally dated to May 1274 BC, as accounted by Egyptian chronology, and is the earliest pitched battle in recorded history for which details of tactics and formations are known. It is believed to be the largest battle ever fought involving chariots, numbering a total of around 6,000.
Kadesh remains a popular battle with historians because of the detailed pictorial representations left by Rameses II on the walls of temples at Thebes, Karnak, Luxor, Agydos and Abu Simbel.
As Rameses army marched up from the south, the Hittite King Muwatallis II, launched his attack by despatching 2,500 chariots in four bodies across the Orontes via a ford just below the fortified city of Kadesh. The Egyptian records describe how these chariots cut through the army of Ra in its middle, while they were marching without knowing and without being drawn up for battle, which broke the army and caused panic. The fleeing army fell into confusion against the army of Amun the second Egyptian army to the north, which also fell into confusion and flight.
The Hittites followed up this initial attack and finally encircled the Egyptian camp. Rameses’ personal leadership and tactical dexterity in the swirling chariot battle saved him at the decisive moment, and he was able to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
The outcome of the Battle of Kadesh is uncertain, although the timely arrival of Egyptian reinforcements prevented a total Hittite victory, the Egyptians did force the Hittites to take refuge in the fortress city of Kadesh, but their own losses prevented them from sustaining a siege.
Muwatalli II was a king of the Hittite Empire. He was the eldest son of Mursili II and Queen Gassulawiya. He is best known for relocating the Hittite capital to Tarhuntassa, appointing his brother Hattusili as governor in Hattusa, and fighting Ramesses II in the Battle of Kadesh.