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1274 BCEReputable sourceWell documented

Ramesses II and the Battle of Kadesh

On the timeline · around 1274 BCE · Ramesses II and the Battle of Kadesh1,450 BCE1,400 BCE1,350 BCE1,300 BCE1,250 BCE1,200 BCE1,150 BCE1,100 BCE

What happened

At Kadesh in Syria, Pharaoh Ramesses II clashed with the Hittite king Muwatalli II in one of the largest chariot battles in history. Ramesses, drawn into an ambush after being misled about the Hittite position, rallied his forces; both sides claimed victory, but the battle is generally judged a draw.

Why it matters

Kadesh is the most thoroughly documented battle of the ancient Near East, and the long reign of Ramesses II marked the peak of New Kingdom power and monument-building.

Sources