214: Ramesses II The Battle of Kadesh

The History of Egypt

Dominic Perry

Society & Culture, History

4.8 • 2.1K Ratings

🗓️ 15 August 2025

⏱️ 119 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In June of 1287 BCE (approximately), one of antiquity’s great conflicts unfolded in southern Syria. Meeting near Kadesh (Qidsha), the armies of Egypt and Hatti fought each other in a spectacular engagement. The events of that battle are recorded, somewhat grandiosely, by Ramesses II in temple art and extended hieroglyph narratives. With those as our foundation, we explore the most dramatic day in the young pharaoh’s life. CHAPTERS 0:00 - Prologue 5:45 - Part 1: A Red Dawn 23:46 - Part 2: Sekhet Pay 42:20 - Part 3: Sutech and Ba'al 1:01:31 - Part 4: Doubling Down 1:21:56 - Part 5: White, Black, Red 1:48:58 - Part 6: Wrapping Up == My apologies for any audio blips or inconsistencies in this episode. Alas, just as the recording was done (but before pickups / editing), my microphone started going on the fritz. With no time to replace it, I’m stuck with a slightly unsatisfying sound. As soon as practical, I plan to re-record this episode in a better environment. The History of Egypt Podcast: Website: www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com. Support the show via Patreon www.patreon.com/egyptpodcast. Make a one-time donation via PayPal payments https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/BHC6MGDBC6SXU. We have merch! Browse our designs at Dashery by TeePublic https://egyptpodcast.dashery.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Before we begin, a couple of quick notes. This episode is much longer than usual. To keep it manageable,
0:07.5	I have divided it into chapters, roughly 20 minutes long. You'll find time codes in the episode
0:13.6	description, or every time you hear this noise, that means it's a good place to take a rest. Additionally, the Battle of
0:27.4	Kadesh comes to us from several distinct sources. In order to minimize interruptions,
0:32.7	I discuss these at the end. With that out of the way, please enjoy the Battle of Kadesh.
0:39.0	In late June of 1287 BCE, approximately, a day dawned in Egypt and the near east, that would prove to be one of the more famous in history.
0:57.1	It probably began like any other.
0:59.7	As the night receded and the pale light of dawn appeared in the sky,
1:04.4	Egypt's temples would have slowly returned to life.
1:08.4	Awakening from the death of night, clergy and acolytes began to prepare for a new day.
1:15.3	In the far south, at the city of Wasset, or Luxor, priests entered the magnificent house of Amun,
1:22.3	which today we know as Karnak. Passing the great pylons, the hypostyle hall, obelisks, and courtyards,
1:30.4	the worshippers approached the inner sanctum of the god. Their leader was named Neb Weneneff,
1:37.8	the first priest of Amun. He held his position by the grace of the king, who had promoted him just four years earlier.
1:47.1	Today, Pharaoh himself was absent from the Nile Valley, and as his representative,
1:52.7	Nebwenanef greeted the god Amun and made offerings for the king's well-being.
1:59.2	A few hundred kilometers down river, another priest, performed similar
2:03.5	duties in the city of Hikupitar, the house of Patar's spirit, what we call Memphis. His name was
2:11.7	Hui, and he was the senior priest for Patah, the master artisan. Hoi probably approached the golden shrine,
2:20.7	drew back the door bolts, and then opened the god's house of wood and gold. Within,
2:27.2	the face of Pitaar emerged from the shadows. Impassive, thoughtful, the god of the spoken word awaited his daily offerings.
2:37.0	To the east and downriver again, the Temple of Ra at Iunu, or Heliopolis, was more than
	...

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