Battle of Kadesh 1274 BC (Egyptian - Hittite War) DOCUMENTARY

Fertile Crescent was one of the first regions human civilization started. Cultures of the Bronze Age fought over it for centuries and conflicts in this region now called the Middle East are still continuing. The war between Egypt and Hittites was one of the first recorded in history, and the battle of Kadesh of 1274 BC is probably the first we have a detailed account of. Both empires were vying for the dominance over this ancient city, and the engagement was bloody. Neither Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II or Hittite king Muwatalli II are considered great generals, but both them implemented some very interesting tactical maneuvers during this battle.

The research for this video is done by our friend Gumru M. We appreciate her help, as it allowed us to move forward with a very intriguing new project.

Sources used:
Healy, Mark (1993). Qadesh 1300 B.C, Clash of the Warrior Kings. Osprey Publishing; Osprey Campaign Series #22
Shaw, Ian (2003). The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt. Oxford: Oxford University Press
Grimal, Nicolas, A History of Ancient Egypt (1994). Wiley-Blackwell

Inspired by: BazBattles, Invicta (THFE), Epic History TV and Historia Civilis

Machinimas (ugly looking ones) made on the Total War: Rome II Engine, using the Age of Bronze

Songs used:
Johannes Bornlöf - Barbarians
Rannar Sillard - Deathmatch 3
Rannar Sillard - Guitar Textures 1
Johan Johansson - The Great Oracle
Tribal War Council
It is Coming

[ancientfalmer]

The great pyramid was already 1300 years old when this battle took place. Man the ancient Egyptians were something else.

[arceluseuclides]

Will you remember us when your channel grows wildly?

[whyistherumgone]

Today Kadesh Treaty tablets display in Istanbul Archaeology Museum

[ChrisSnowman]

Please do more Egypt battles. The history for it is absolutely enthralling and very interesting.

[matthewkuchinski]

Great video, once again! I truly enjoy relearning about the Battle of Kadesh, the Ancient World's equivalent of armored warfare. Really highlighted the importance that chariots, combined with melee and missile infantry had upon the outcomes of many Bronze Age battles.

[rayanhey]

Are you gonna cover the Bronze age collapse?

[demetripapanicolaou]

This channel has evolved so much! This 3 year old video though proves that meaningful and well researched content is the backbone of K&G. Graphics and crisper animation comes later!
Keep up the great work.

[danielkover]

Rameses would go on later to build a dozen World Wonders (because his empire had that bonus), leaving competing civilizations in the dust, and winning a Cultural Victory. 😀

[TomHarper]

The quality of these documentaries are amazing

[김민서-hmh]

I am Korean, but I love the history of Anatolia especially Hitite Empire. I think I'm lucky to watch this video and I'm glad to find this channel.

I want to study the role of Tawananna Puduhepa who negotiated the peace treaty with Ramesses II after battle of Kadesh. Puduhepa was so wise and intelligent, so she was in charge of Hitite's dipolomatic activities, the marriage of her daughter(princess of Hitite) and Ramesses II, after her husband Hatusilli III died. So she has been referred to as one of the most influential women known from Ancient Near East still nowadays. I want everyone know this story.

I hope that there will be more videos dealing with the history of the ancient Near East like this video. Thank you for making good video!

P.S. As mentioned earlier, I'm Korean and I'm not very good at English -Of course not all Koreans are lol-, so please comment if there is any error in my comment. Thx :)

P.S. If a friendly Korean friend sees my comment, I hope you can put Korean subtitles here. I'm not good at English, so I don't understand the whole story of this video. ㅠㅠ

[carlosa.n]

I love ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian history and youtubers like you are greatly appreciated:)

[spacecadet]

The first recorded battle. What an honor.

[hamedel-kady]

Man fears time; but time fears the great pyramids of Egypt that still stand tall and proud today. ... Ok back to my Civ 6 game now - great video !

[felix]

You gotta appreciate the models he shows in the battle, really represents and shows what happens.

[Argentarius]

This is the best explanation of the Battle of Kadesh I've seen. I understand the course of the battle. This is so well done. Historia

[szymondrobiazgiewicz]

Thutmose the third crushed alliance at Megiddo. In a graphic you have Thutmose the Second who was not a big fighter. Anyways- I wrote a master thesis about the topic: Hittite infantry was never used in the battle and remain in camp while having significant loses to chariot core. On the other hand, the Egyptian army got 2 divisions almost wipe out and half of the chariots lost. Because of problems with Assyrians, some kind of agreement/truce was signed where a brother of Muwattalli II - feature king Hatussillis III took over Amurru ( south of Kadesh) as a governor. Amurru stayed together with Kadesh in hands of Hittites. So we can say a score of the battle was even, but as Hittites had more intact troops, they had support of locals, shorter logistic lines and they were able to use it as a bargain cheap and acquire vast Amurru regions to the south in a treaty. When it comes to date of the battle it could differ as it is said to be fought in 5th year of Rameses the Second reign. Depending on sources, as list of Egyptian kings have some inaccuracies, reign of Ramses has close, but not the same, dates of reign. So battle could have happened either in 1274 if we go with longer dating or in 1298 in we go with a short one. It could have happened in 1285 if we go with middle chronology. Cheers. You cannot donate me on Patreon but give a thumb up for a K&G video as not to many heard about it and it introduced first period of international peace after the peace treaty was signed. Copy of clay tablet with that treaty is kept in New York in UN HQ.

[dlperk]

The term "Fertile Crescent, " which appears prominently in your presentation, was coined by America's first professional Egyptologist, James Henry Breasted (1865--1935), and founder of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. Thank you for your cogently presented video.

[amielsabado]

So far, this history Channel is the best and most interactive!

[icantthinkofanameb]

Have you thought of doing an episode about the conflicts between the Hittites and the Mycenaeans?

[philosophos]

Battle of Kadesh probably was a draw although egyptian scirpts glorify the Pharaoh for his "win" for propaganda causes.