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HISTODEX

Battle of Kadesh

1274 BC

The Egyptian army of Ramesses II and the Hittite army of Muwatalli II clashed around Kadesh in Syria.

A historical reconstruction of armies and battlefield movement at Kadesh (in present-day Syria), showing the setting of Battle of Kadesh
Reconstruction note: This educational reconstruction is not a primary-source image of the event.
Period
1274 BC
Kind
Battle
Regions
Middle East, Africa
Keywords
Battle of Kadesh · Kadesh (in present-day Syria) · ancient · background · turning point · impact

Follow the story · Four stages

  1. Background

    Political, social, and commercial changes around Kadesh (in present-day Syria) formed the setting: The Egyptian army of Ramesses II and the Hittite army of Muwatalli II clashed around Kadesh in Syria.

    • In and around Kadesh (in present-day Syria), the setting took shape as The Egyptian army of Ramesses II and the Hittite army of Muwatalli II clashed around Kadesh in Syria.
    • Core event: The Egyptian army of Ramesses II and the Hittite army of Muwatalli II clashed around Kadesh in Syria.
    • Connection to the next stage: The Egyptian army of Ramesses II and the Hittite army of Muwatalli II clashed around Kadesh in Syria. The change unfolded through decisions by rulers, institutions, and local communities.
    Historical reconstruction of Battle of Kadesh's background: In and around Kadesh (in present-day Syria), the setting took shape as The Egyptian army of Ramesses II and the Hittite army of Muwatalli II clashed around Kadesh in Syria.

  2. Course

    The Egyptian army of Ramesses II and the Hittite army of Muwatalli II clashed around Kadesh in Syria. The choices of the participating powers and responses of local communities shaped the course.

    • The Egyptian army of Ramesses II and the Hittite army of Muwatalli II clashed around Kadesh in Syria.
    • The change unfolded through decisions by rulers, institutions, and local communities.
    • Conditions behind the action: In and around Kadesh (in present-day Syria), the setting took shape as The Egyptian army of Ramesses II and the Hittite army of Muwatalli II clashed around Kadesh in Syria.
    Historical reconstruction of Battle of Kadesh's central action: The Egyptian army of Ramesses II and the Hittite army of Muwatalli II clashed around Kadesh in Syria.

  3. Outcome

    As a result, After a large battle with no clear decisive victor, the two powers concluded one of the earliest surviving international peace treaties.

    • After a large battle with no clear decisive victor, the two powers concluded one of the earliest surviving international peace treaties.
    • Process producing the result: The Egyptian army of Ramesses II and the Hittite army of Muwatalli II clashed around Kadesh in Syria. The change unfolded through decisions by rulers, institutions, and local communities.
    • Question carried forward: In the longer term, after a large battle with no clear decisive victor, the two powers concluded one of the earliest surviving international peace treaties.
    Historical reconstruction of Battle of Kadesh's immediate aftermath: After a large battle with no clear decisive victor, the two powers concluded one of the earliest surviving international peace treaties.

  4. Historical significance

    The significance of this event lies in the fact that after a large battle with no clear decisive victor, the two powers concluded one of the earliest surviving international peace treaties.

    • In the longer term, after a large battle with no clear decisive victor, the two powers concluded one of the earliest surviving international peace treaties.
    • Immediate consequence: After a large battle with no clear decisive victor, the two powers concluded one of the earliest surviving international peace treaties.
    • Historical turning point: The Egyptian army of Ramesses II and the Hittite army of Muwatalli II clashed around Kadesh in Syria.
    Historical reconstruction of Battle of Kadesh's long-term consequences: In the longer term, after a large battle with no clear decisive victor, the two powers concluded one of the earliest surviving international peace treaties.

Related events

  1. 1279 BC

    Ramesses II takes the throne

    Historical reconstruction of “Ramesses II takes the throne” in Battle of Kadesh

    Ramesses II takes the throne — In and around Kadesh (in present-day Syria), the setting took shape as The Egyptian army of Ramesses II and the Hittite army of Muwatalli II clashed around Kadesh in Syria.

  2. c. 1275 BC

    Rivalry over Amurru intensifies

    Historical reconstruction of “Rivalry over Amurru intensifies” in Battle of Kadesh

    Rivalry over Amurru intensifies — The Egyptian army of Ramesses II and the Hittite army of Muwatalli II clashed around Kadesh in Syria. The change unfolded through decisions by rulers, institutions, and local communities.

  3. 1274 BC

    Battle beside Kadesh

    Current event

    Historical reconstruction of “Battle beside Kadesh” in Battle of Kadesh

    Battle beside Kadesh — The Egyptian army of Ramesses II and the Hittite army of Muwatalli II clashed around Kadesh in Syria.

  4. c. 1273 BC

    Campaigns continue in Syria

    Historical reconstruction of “Campaigns continue in Syria” in Battle of Kadesh

    Campaigns continue in Syria — After a large battle with no clear decisive victor, the two powers concluded one of the earliest surviving international peace treaties.

  5. 1259 BC

    Egyptian–Hittite peace treaty

    Historical reconstruction of “Egyptian–Hittite peace treaty” in Battle of Kadesh

    Egyptian–Hittite peace treaty — In the longer term, after a large battle with no clear decisive victor, the two powers concluded one of the earliest surviving international peace treaties.

Sources