Lecture 16 Hittites and Kadesh

3/26/2012

HIST 213 Spring 2012

1270 BCE

Ramses II (1279-1213 BCE)

“The Great” • 19th Dynasty • expeditions in Nubia, Libya, Levant and pirates landing in Egypt from North – standing army of 100,000 • Renaissance of Egyptian culture and creativity • married to Nefertiti

1 3/26/2012

Abu Simbel Temple

Mummy of Ramses II found in KV 5

Ramesses II in Syria

• Conducts Syrian campaign 1275 – controls Canaanite cities, Tyre, Byblos – Threatens to take western Assyrian city-states of Ugarit and Carcamesh from Hittite control • Returns to Egypt to plan large offensive – developed ox-carts for logistics

• Sets up conflict with the Hittites (Kadesh)

2 3/26/2012

Hittite Empire

Hittite Empire 1400-1180 BCE

Suppiluliumas I (1344-1322 BCE) – conquers the Euphrates Valley – Neferneferaten asks to marry his son • son is killed by Ay before reaching Egypt Mursilis II (1321–1295 BCE) • extends conquest further Muwatallis II (1295-1272 BCE) – Battle of Kadesh (1274 BCE)

Hattusha, Capital of the Hittite Empire (Bogazköy)

3 3/26/2012

Lion Gate of Hattusas

“King’s Gate” at Hattusha

• Represents “ideals” of Hittite Kingship – strong muscles – armed with sword and mace – wearing helmet – left arm in gesture of – aggression or religious piety

Short Documentary “Dark Lords of Hattusha” http://faculty.uml.edu/Ethan_Spanier/Teaching/ WAWVideo.aspx

4 3/26/2012

Battle of Kadesh

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kadesh

Stalemate at Kadesh Ramesses finally retreats • Ramesses receives a message from Muwatalli and decides to retreat • According to the Egyptians, the "wretched, vanquished chief of Hatti" pleaded with the Pharaoh “The land of Kemi, the land of Hatti, are at your service. They are under your feet. Re, your exalted father, gave them to you so you would rule us. Is it good, that you should kill your servants?”

“Battle of Qadesh on the south wall of the Hypostyle Hall and the Cour de la Cachette, Karnak Temple

5 3/26/2012

The peace treaty was recorded in two versions • Egyptian hieroglyphs • Akkadian, using cuneiform script; − fortunately, both versions survive.

Such dual-language recording is common to many subsequent treaties. This treaty differs from others, however, in that the two language versions are differently worded.

Although the majority of the text is identical, the Hittite version claims that the Egyptians came suing for peace, while the Egyptian version claims the reverse.

The treaty was given to the Egyptians in the form of a silver plaque, and this "pocket-book" version was taken back to Egypt and carved into the Temple of Karnak.

Treaty of Kadesh, Istanbul Archaeology Museum

Hittite king is depicted as god (wearing a pointed hat) and warrior (as he is wearing a short skirt and weapons)

The relief is part of the Hieroglyph Chamber in Hattusha, Turkey.

Relief of Suppiluliuma II,

Hittite Late Empire (1267-1209) • Hittite kings seek divine protection

Tudhaliya IV’s seal Tudhaliya IV at found at Ugarit Yazalikiya

6 3/26/2012

Hittite Empire evaporates

After the son of Tudhaliya IV acsends to the throne, the king lists stop. – mention of a rebellion in CHT – war with Ahhiyawan and city of “Milawanda”

Numerous theories as to why Hittites disappear from historical and archaeological record What happened to the Hittites ????

Invasions/Migrations 1200-1000 BCE Ammorites Collapse of the Bronze Age