Kadesh

[?], 1285 BC
Strategic Context
The Hittite empire of the 14th century BC faces many external threats, including the Arzwa people’s revolts in the west, the
raiding Gasga tribes to the north, the waning Mittani empire to the east, the growing Assyrian empire to the southeast, and the
colossal Egyptian empire to the south. During this time, Hatti’s strategic objective is to ensure vital trade routes are kept open,

To view animation on PC: hit F5

an increasingly difficult objective given the state power dynamics in the region. In 1380 BC, King Suppiluliumas leads Hittite
armies into Syria, gaining control of the fortified city-states before defeating the Mittani and pushing south to establish a buffer
zone. The Hittite seizure of Syria, long the site of Egyptian-Mittani rivalry, threatens Egypt’s strategic objective of protecting the
Nile River through its own buffer zone. However, the Egyptian empire is racked with its own internal struggles for almost a

To view animation on Mac: hit ⌘ + enter

century, and only responds in 1308 BC by encouraging unrest in Syria. Muwatallis, Hittite king and grandson of Suppiluliumas,
quickly crushes any unrest by installing Hittite garrisons in Carchemish, Aleppo, and Kadesh. In 1285 BC, Egyptian pharaoh
Ramses II leads an army north to remove Hittite influence in Syria once and for all.

Stakes
+ An Egyptian victory would re-
establish Syria as an Egyptian buffer No Image
zone against any threats to the Nile.
+ A Hittite victory would solidify its Available
control over Syria and keep open vital
trade routes.

By Jonathan Webb, 2016

 Kadesh, 1285 BC
Strength

 Egyptians  Hittites

 Ramses II  Muwatallis II

 2,500 light chariots  3,500 heavy

 18,000 chariotsinfantry
 17,000
infantry
 Well  Well

By Jonathan Webb, 2016

Middle East c. 1279 BC

GASGA

HITTITES
MITTANI

ASSYRIANS

EGYPTIANS
The battlefield consists of the flat, gravelly Plain of Kadesh closed in by the Lebanon Mountains to the west and the Orontes River to the east and
south (off-map). The city of Kadesh sits between the Orontes River and the Al-Mukidiyah tributary. The area adjacent to the river feature low hills and
valleys, as well as significant planted fields and orchards, making it possible to hide a large force east of Kadesh. Fording sites across the Orontes
River lay just north and south of the city.
Lake of Homs
Hittites
(Muwatallis)

Orontes
River

Plain of
Kadesh
Kadesh

Lebanon
Al-Mukidiyah
Mountains

Egyptians N
(Ramses)
Muwattalis leaves a garrison in Kadesh and encamps his army northeast of thechase
city, hidden behind the
The
Ramses’
Ramses
By
The
RamsesHittite
this
Ramses’
The leads
chariots
time,
Hittite
Hittite
Egyptian
north with
chariot
the
his forms
allied
heavier
rout
chariot
ambush
Muwattalis
messengers
heavy P’Tah the
chariot isreserve
cannot
upchariots
3-man his Hittite
routs
aware
troops,
division
chariots,army the
chariots
across
reachof
complete
the
P’Re
the
havingthe
hurries
the
Hittite
the
indivision
P’Re Orontes
the
Egyptian
achieved
next
army’s
northeast
as
division
north,
their
morning,
decisive
River
army’s most to
successful
crossing
hitting and
of
establish
inarrival
time.
shock arm. ofits
and
shock
personallyThe
Hittite
the
Ramses’
troopsthem
camp
begins
P’Re flee
effect,
troops
Orontes
army
back
northwest
sending
division
beheading dismount
fighting
is currently
isOrontes
southwest.
across
River, of
2,500 River.
the
The
Kadesh.
completely
south
to
leaders
in
shake
of
fight
the
the
Muwattalis
Orontes
remnants
elite asByunits
chariotsRiver.
the
unaware
camp
out,
of
Orontes
of
infantry
and
Riverin
plans
end
the
south
ofinofto
rear.
that
attack
off-map,
any ambush
Meanwhile,
division’s
tothe
the ford
itshad
day,
Hittites
Muchcamp.
north
four
the
fledof
divisions
Egyptian
Egyptian
the chariots
the Amun
Orontes
Fierce
in
to
thethe
during
army
combat
area
relieve
and Hittite
chariotthe
as it marches
resistance
flee
division
north
River. and arrives
With to
in this
ensues
pressure
forceis the
still
battle.
reserve is
strung
Egyptian
camp
in camp
maneuver
in the
marchcollapses
while
campcamp,
in most
soon
but
motion,
formation;
between the
of
pursued
the
Hittite
Muwattalis
most
the P’Re by
attack
the
division
sends
dismounted
of its Hittite
loses
out
troops hasmomentum
chariots
crossed
reconnaissance
Hittite
are only after
chariotmenthe
asthey
Orontes.
carryingHittite
use
patrols
and troops
theirtheSometime
to
the wide
stop
determine
armour plain
Egyptian to after
withloot.
to
the
Amunmake
crossing
Resistance
Egyptian
some the
division
of the
fullin
army’s
its Orontes,
turn
the
weapons north.
Egyptian
precise
infantry. the
The Egyptians
camp
location.
Ramses
stored sudden
in renews
arrival
encounter
Egyptian
responds
the baggagewhen
of the
troops
by the
twoP’Re
scraping Seth
Hittite
capture
train. division’s
Thedivision
spies
one
together
leadof
on
destroyed,
Muwatallis
out the
with
chariots
arrives
posing Hittite
nearly
as
from the
sends
5km
disorganizes
bedouins attack’s
rest
between ahow
fleeing
message
each right
other back
inflank
to
the Ramses
across
orderbyarmy
of striking
marchthesuggesting
in Orontes
Ramses’
order to ensureRiver.
atheforce
truce,
water Muwatallis
inwhich
sources the
are rear.
Ramses
does
replenished.The not
agrees
RamsesHittites
react,
leads to.
continue
theand A few
chariot opts days
tonot
reserve fight
in later,
to
the commit
innorth
the
vanguard, Egyptian
his
followed any
by the
these
Hittite
any
Amun, patrols
available andthe
chariots
P’Re, and northwest
chariotsseeking
learn
emerge
P’Tah the
andcamp,
from
divisions. in
an
The full
closealliance
which
leading
the
Seth battle
the isbetween
orchards
them
division order
followed
Hittite out and
oftheir
around
marches immediately
Ramses
really
the
north king
onis. andrallies
inRamses.
Ramses
Al-Mukidiyah
camp
a separateafter
the bywest
chariot
aThe
strong
immediately
and
northeast
route of“bedouins”
crash reserve.
to
the Hittite
sends
intohitthe
Lebanon On
attack
tell the
Ramses
messengers
the division’s
Hittite
Mountains.on
Hittite
three
forces that
side,
south
flanks,
Ramses sides.
the
to Muwattalis
fighting Hittite
toThe
hurry
shattering
plans Egyptian
the
there army
concentrate inbegins
P’Re
it. ishisin
chariot
Aleppo,
sending
division
flank. army on reserve
the160km
1,000 loses
of to
to camp.
Plain allied
the
its
Kadesh
camp,
of
army
nervehis
chariots
north. withdraws
andcompletely
unaware
Ramses
south
flees.to the
believes
crosssouth
intact
theEgyptian
this while
infantry
Orontes
to be
and then attack the city from the west and south. truethe
P’Tah
Riverand forces
Hittites
and division
plans
join to
to remain
the the has
rapidly battle.
battle. arrived
in
seize Kadesh.
Kadesh fromwith the
little south.
to no effort, rest his army, and then await the Hittite army.
Egyptians
Hittites Chariot reserve/ Lake of Homs
Hittites
Seth/
Chariot Amun/
Amun/ reserve/
P’Re (Muwatallis)
(Muwatallis
(Ramses II) II) P’Re
remnants
Amun
remnants

3,500 heavy
2,500 light chariots
chariots
17,000 infantry
18,000
Orontes
River

Egyptians Hittites
Chariots Plain of
Kadesh Chariots
Kadesh

Infantry Infantry
Camp P’Tah
Camp
Lebanon
Mountains
Patrol Al-Mukidiyah
P’Re

P’Tah

Symbol guide N
Egyptians
(Ramses) Landmarks
 Kadesh, 1285 BC
Casualties & Aftermath
Egyptians: Hittites:

? ?
or or
? ?
Both leaders told their nations of a great victory for their side after the battle. In 1280 BC,
Ramses and Khattusilis III, after recently succeeding Muwattalis, agreed to a peace treaty
among empires; Ramses married one of Khattusilis’ daughters and the two empires avoided
direct blows with one another for decades. However, Hatti maintained its dominance over Syria
and even fomented various revolts in Palestine to weaken Egypt’s grasp on its remaining buffer
zone. Meanwhile, Egyptian control never advanced north of the Orontes River. Eventually, the
two empires allied to try and meet the inexorable Assyrian conquests that began in 890 BC.

By Jonathan Webb, 2016

 The Art of Battle:
Animated Battle Maps
http://www.theartofbattle.com

By Jonathan Webb, 2016