1. Egypt and Hittite Interactions
James Saberniak

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.