Battle of Kadesh

• The Battle of Kadesh (c.1,274 BCE) was the greatest Chariot Battle ever fought in the Ancient World and involved 5-6,000 Chariots.
• The Battle took place in Kadesh, on the River Orontes in Syria between the Armies of the Pharaoh Rameses II and the King of the Hittite Empire, Mutawalli II.

Result

• Neither side gained a victory, although both claimed to have won.

Significance

• The Battle of Kadesh is significant because it was the first recorded Battle in history where details of army formations and tactics were recorded.

Archeological Record

• The Egyptians recorded the Battle in the Temples of:
  • Abydos
  • Karnak
  • The Temple of Luxor
  • Abu Simbel
  • Ramesseum

Istanbul Archaeology Museums

• The Hittites recorded the Peace Treaty after the Battle on Cuneiform Tablets:
• The Tablets are in the Istanbul Archeological Museums.

Kadesh, Syria