1. Battle of Kadesh Online Resource: www.nkeamentoram.weebly.com
Previous Lesson:
Source Analysis – E, F, G, H
Written Response (homework)
Documentary (History Channel)
Today’s Lesson:
Consequences of Kadesh
Egyptian-Hittite Peace Treaty
Diplomatic Correspondence

2. REVISION: Battle of KadeshBC BC BC
Phase One
Phase Two
Phase Three

3. The End of the Battle of Kadesh
Phase Three: With the Ptah division nearing the battlefield, the Hittite chariots retreated, many of which abandoned their chariots and attempted to swim across the Orontes river back to the Hittite camp, with Ramesses II ‘charging at them’ – “I cast them to the water, just as crocodiles fall in from the bank” as inscribed in the Egyptian account (temples).
This marked the end of the Battle of Kadesh. Both armies gathered their forces, returned home and declared undisputed ‘victory’.

4. Consequences of Kadesh
KEY CONCEPTS:
‘Armistice’ - a formal agreement of warring parties to stop fighting. It is not necessarily the end of a war, since it might be just a cessation of hostilities while an attempt is made to negotiate a lasting peace.
‘Stalemate’ - a situation in which further action or progress by opposing or competing parties seems impossible.
According to Egyptian accounts, the Hittites sued for peace: ‘Then the vile Chief of Khatti … sent his envoy with a letter … As for the land of Egypt and the land of Khatti, they are your servants, under your feet … Peace is better than fighting. Give us breath!”
In response, Ramesses II returned to Egypt with his army and the Hittites withdrew inside the walls of Kadesh.

5. Consequences of Kadesh
WHO WON?
Exhibit A – Ramesses II, extensively inscribed his account of the battle, describing it a victory and success, both in texts and reliefs on the walls of several temples throughout Egypt (Abu Simbel, Karnak, Luxor, the Ramesseum and at Abydos).
Exhibit B – Hittites, cuneiform tablets found in the remains at Hattusas (Hittite capital), tell a different story; Ramesses II was conquered at Kadesh and was forced to retreat, according to Hattusilis, successor to King Muwatallis.
WHAT WE KNOW
Ramesses II and Egypt failed to regain Kadesh and Amurru (within 1294 BC, Amurru revolted and returned to the Hittite Empire). His attempt to dominate the cities of Northern Syria resulted in nothing due to traditional ties with the Hittites and their empire.

6. The Hittite Account WHO WON?
The library in the ruins of Hattusa (the Hittite capital) uncovered the peace treaty signed between the two great kings, which showed that the Hittites had imposed their forces over the Egyptians pushing the frontier of their empire hundreds of kilometres south into today's Israel, thus becoming the greatest empire of the ancient world.
THE ISSUE: the Hittites disappeared from history for unexplained reasons, until a new discovery was made by modern archaeologists in their excavations at Hattusa. A series of indecipherable hieroglyphs were discovered in an underground area. However, after much research, they were finally translated telling how the winner of the Battle of Kadesh and the great king launched themselves into a fratricidal and standstill war.
THE ISSUE = EVIDENCE/ SOURCES

7. The Egyptian-Hittite peace treaty
Year 21 of Ramesses II reign, Ramesses II and King Hattusili (successor to Muwatallis) met in Kadesh for a summit conference and a peace treaty was finalised which meant peace and stability to both empires and the end to a long-standing hostility.
This treaty represented a significant diplomatic achievement for Ramesses II. The provisions include:
the end of all hostilities and the formation of a friendly alliance
a promise of no further aggression
a mutual defence agreement against attack by another power
a guarantee of the succession in both countries
the mutual extension and fair treatment of exchanged prisoners
The Hittite version of the peace treaty displayed at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums

8. Activity
Go the ‘The Battle of Kadesh’ (located on listed tab) page on
Scroll down to the ‘Consequences of the Battle of Kadesh’.
Download the Hittite version & the Egyptian version of the peace treaty.
Read each account and list the provisions set out in each treaty.
How do the Hittite and Egyptian accounts differ?
Egyptian version of the peace treaty located at the Precinct of Amun-Re in Karnak.

9. Diplomatic Correspondence
Year 34 of Ramesses II’s reign marked diplomatic correspondence with the Hittites through marriage. Ramesses II married Hittite princess, Maat-Hor-Neferu-Re, daughter of Hattusili III. The marriage was part of the consolidation of the peace settlement concluded more than a decade earlier. Maat-Hor-Neferu-Re became Ramses' seventh Great King's Wife, succeeding Henutmire, his sister. It was part of the arrangement that she could receive Hittite emissaries freely. Six years into her marriage she ceased being mentioned. The extent of her influence on Egyptian policies is not known, however, the Egyptian-Hittite relations remained close - it being in the interest of both countries to contain Assyria.
In his 44th year Ramesses married a second Hittite princess. Later there was a third marriage to another one of Hattusili's daughters, however, little evidence and information is available to support this.

10. Diplomatic Correspondence
Go the ‘The Battle of Kadesh’ (located on listed tab) page on
Scroll down to the ‘Diplomatic Correspondence’.
Read the written texts from the Marriage Stela of Ramesses II.
What was involved in this marriage?
What did this marriage represent?
Marriage Stela of Ramesses II: The Hittite King Hattusili and his daughter are submissively approaching the pharaoh.