Battle of Kadesh
Military battle between Egyptians and Hittites around 1274 BC / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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 Kadesh, along what is today the Lebanon–Syria border.[13]
This article has an unclear citation style. (January 2024) |
Battle of Kadesh | |||||||
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Part of the second Syrian campaign of Ramesses II | |||||||
Depiction of Ramesses II slaying one enemy while trampling another, from a rock-cut relief at Abu Simbel | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
New Kingdom of Egypt | Hittite Empire | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Ramesses II
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Muwatalli II
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Strength | |||||||
20,000–53,000 troops[4] (half engaged) |
23,000–50,000 troops | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Unknown (presumed heavy)[11] | Unknown (~2,000 chariots destroyed)[12] |
It is generally dated to May 1274 BC, as accounted by Egyptian chronology,[14] 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, a total of 5,000 to 6,000.[15][16][17]
After being outmaneuvered, ambushed, and surrounded, in the critical moment Ramesses personally led his body guard to charge the Hittite ranks, and broke through to stem the tide of disaster.