Egypt and Hittite Interactions http://euler.slu.edu/~bart/Paintings-2.html James Saberniak

Outline Introduction to the Hittites Contest over Syria The Egypt-Mitanni alliance over the Hittites Hostiles over Kadesh The first Egypt-Hittite conflict The second Egypt-Hittite conflict, the Battle of Kadesh Aftermath and peace End of the Hittites and the relationship

Brief introduction to the Hittites Existed from 1700BC-1200BC. Compromised of central Anatolia and northern Syria. Neo-Hittite or Syro-Hittite kingdoms existed after the fall of Hatti till 700BC. Referenced as a Canaanite tribe in the Bible Hittites became forgotten by the time of Herodotus. http://www.arthursclipart.org/fromthepast/past/page_04.htm

Contest over Syria Tensions between Near-Eastern powers would arise over control over the area of Syria. In the 16th BC, New Kingdom Egypt under Thutmose I and later his grandson, Thutmose III, would campaign and annex parts of southern parts Syria and Palestine. From the east, the Mitanni conquered Assyria and challenged Hittite northern Syrian holdings.

http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/kadesh.htm

The Egypt-Mitanni alliance over Hittites As Hittites removed the Mitanni from Syria, the Mitanni formed a alliance with Egypt, limiting Hittite incursions in Syria as political fragmentation and invasions the kingdom of Arzawa from the east and Kaskan nomads from the north plagued Hatti. http://www.bible-history.com/archaeology/israel/el-amarna-letters.html

Hostilities over Kadesh As Suppiluliuma assumed Hittite throne in 1344 BC, he renewed the conflict against the Mitanni while persuading the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten not to intervene. While conquering Mitanni holdings to the west of the Euphrates, they ended up conquering Egyptian vassal Kadesh, provoking hostilities between the two powers. Fail Egyptian attempt retake Kadesh Marriage alliance between Tutankhamen’s widow and Suppiliuma son fails as the son is murdered on route. Captured Egyptians brought into Hatti carried a disease that plagued the land and killed Suppiluliuma and his successor.

First Egypt-Hittite conflict After the political instability after post Amarna. The political reorganization of Horemheb and later establishment of the 19th Ramesside dynasty in 1295 BC placed Egypt back to power. Seti I established authority in Palestine and Canaan and reconquered Kadesh and Amurru from Hittites under Muwattalli. Seti created temples that displayed his victory Muwattalli moves the capital south to prepare for future confrontation as he gives upper Hatti to his brother Hattusili.

The second Egypt-Hittite conflict, the Battle of Kadesh Ramesses II assumed Egyptian throne after Seti I death in 1279 BC and prepares for another confrontation with the Hittites in 1274 BC at Kadesh, which was reconquered by the Hittites. According to both sources, the two sides claim victory over the other According to Ramesses II’s accounts displayed on his temples’ walls, he faced defeat from a surprise Hittite attack as his force was separated with rest of his army. Ramesses II managed to rally his army for a victorious counterattack. While Hittite account is unknown, it is most likely ended in a stalemate but allowed Muwattalli to pursue Ramesses Allowing the Hittite capture of Amurru and Damascus region Damaged Ramesses II reputation and authority in Canaan and Palestine. http://henryzecher.com/plagues.htm

Aftermath and peace In 1272 BC, Muwattalli dies and places his son, Urhi-Teshub, on throne, only to be defeated in a civil war by his uncle, Hattusili. While in Exile Urhi-Teshub manage to escape to Egypt. Fearing Egyptian support of Urhi-Teshub’s restoration, Hattusili convinces Ramesses II to an alliance to ensure future peace. Hattusili sends a daughter for Ramesses to marry. Egypt sends Physicians and medical knowledge to Hatti. Hittites import Egyptian wheat during a famine. http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/godkhonsu.htm

End of the Hittites and the relationship The Hittites and Egypt manage to be at peace and cooperate till the end of the Hittites Hiitites suffered from internal strife, famine, rise of Assyrian power, and Sea People invasions that lead to their demise. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/assy/hd_assy.htm http://lakodaemon.co.uk/sea-peoples-modern-reconstruction