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Battle of Kadesh

Not to be confused with Battle of Kamdesh.

Battle of Kadesh
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
DateMay 1274 BC[1]
Location
Orontes River, near Kadesh (modern-day Lebanon–Syria border)
Result Inconclusive[2][3]
Belligerents
New Kingdom of Egypt Hittite Empire
Commanders and leaders
Strength

20,000–53,000 troops[4] (half engaged)

  • 16,000 infantry[5]
  • 2,000 chariots[6]

23,000–50,000 troops

  • 15,000[7]–40,000[8] infantry (not engaged)
  • 2,500–10,500 chariots[8][9]
    • 9,000–11,100 men[10]
Casualties and losses
Unknown (presumed heavy)[11] Unknown (~2,000 chariots destroyed)[12]

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]

The battle 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, numbering at a total of 5,000 to 6,000.[15][16][17]

After being outmaneuvered, ambushed, and surrounded, Ramesses II personally led a charge through the Hittite ranks with his bodyguard. They broke through and avoided the capture or death of the pharaoh.

The battle is considered to have ended in a stalemate.[18][better source needed]

  1. ^ Lorna Oakes, Pyramids, Temples & Tombs of Ancient Egypt: An Illustrated Atlas of the Land of the Pharaohs, Hermes House: 2003, p. 142.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference grimal256 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference HC080514-rpt was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Top 14 Decisive Ancient Battles in History". 10 February 2015.
  5. ^ a b M. Healy, Qadesh 1300 BC: Clash of the warrior kings, 32
  6. ^ M. Healy, Qadesh 1300 BC: Clash of the warrior kings, 39
  7. ^ Richard Holmes, Battlefield. Decisive Conflicts in History, 2006
  8. ^ a b M. Healy, Qadesh 1300 BC: Clash of the warrior kings, 22
  9. ^ "Battle of Kadesh: Clash of the Chariot Armies". 10 January 2019.
  10. ^ M. Healy, Qadesh 1300 BC: Clash of the warrior kings, 21
  11. ^ "Battle of Kadesh". 31 July 2006.
  12. ^ Siggurdsson, Battle of Kadesh: Ramesses II, Egyptians fight Hittites to draw May 12th, 2016.
  13. ^ Near the modern village of Al-Houz in Syria's Al-Qusayr District. see Kitchen, K. A., "Ramesside Inscriptions", volume 2, Blackwell Publishing Limited, 1996, pp. 16–17.
  14. ^ Around "Year 5 III Shemu day 9" of Ramesses II's reign (James Henry Breasted, Ancient Records of Egypt, vol. III, p. 317) or more precisely: May 12, 1274 BC based on Ramesses' commonly accepted accession date in 1279 BC.
  15. ^ Eggenberger, David (1985). An Encyclopedia of Battles. Dover. p. 214. ISBN 9780486249131.
  16. ^ Ralby, Aaron (2013). "Battle of Kadesh, c. 1274 BCE: Clash of Empires". Atlas of Military History. Paragon. pp. 54–55. ISBN 978-1-4723-0963-1.
  17. ^ Ralby, Aaron (2013). "Hatti and Mitanni, 18th–12th Centuries BCE: A Kingdom Found". Atlas of Military History. Paragon. pp. 52–53. ISBN 978-1-4723-0963-1.
  18. ^ Weir, William (2009). History's Greatest Lies. Fair Winds.

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