Qadesh is probably the first battle in history for which we have any level of detail. It took place near the city of Qadesh on the river Orontes in 1285 BC between the armies of Ramesses II and the Hittite king Muwatallis, with the objective of controlling Syria. Neither side gained a victory and both armies suffered heavy casualties.

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The Egyptian army, advancing north in four divisions, was misled into believing that the Hittites had retreated and marched without caution towards the Orontes. The Hittites, in fact, were concealed behind Qadesh.
The division of Amun, led by Ramesses, was in front and set up a fortified temporary camp just northwest of Qadesh. The division of Pre’ followed some way behind and was suddenly ambushed by Hittite chariots.
The Pre’ division was routed, its survivors running north towards the Egyptian camp. The third Egyptian division (Ptah) was too far south to help.
The Egyptian camp was attacked by the main Hittite chariot units and the division of Amun was about to be destroyed; Ramesses and his personal bodyguard unit attempted to fight their way southwards towards the division of Ptah. The Hittite infantry remained on the wrong side of the river and took no part in the battle.

By his continued resistance Ramesses bought precious time and the division of Ptah approached rapidly from the south; meanwhile an independent Egyptian unit known as “The Braves” approached from the northwest and was able to drive off the Hittite attack. The division of Ptah then practically wiped out the Hittite chariot forces, pushing them back into the river where many drowned.
Everyone withdrew, both sides having suffered great losses.

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