War for Peace

Egypt as it was and as it will remain cradle of civilization, fertile place for sophisticated leaders and land of peace and tranquillity. Yes, it engages in wars but the tradition goes its wars are always for peace.

Succeeding his father, Ramsis II took over reign after a period of time during which he experienced how power could be used to run great kingdoms as Egypt.

Time-honoured kingdom
Ramsis II was one of the Egyptian rulers whose character imposed celebrity on history. Getting involved in the kingdom affairs, for many years during his father's reign, Ramsis II acquired considerable experience & became well-versed in both political and military policies. There were several factors that combined to butress his stature and form his image; as he inherited a strong and unshakable kingdom abounding in vast prospects and sizable wealth. Assuming power while in prime of youth, he was vivid to realize his wide hopes and aggressive aspirations. Harbouring a cluster of politicians and civil experts in his palace, Ramsis found no difficulty in deriving genuine experience, which cemented his feet while running such time-honoured kingdom.

Keeping up image
So it was not far-reached dream to defeat the then most powerful military power of Hittites; as he managed - along with great army - to crush them keeping up a military image. Yearning to have his name eternal, Ramsis II during his 67-year reign accomplished, through close men, a number of matchless temples, palaces & obelisks, in terms of luxury & number.

In his era, Egypt had a new political capital whose name was echoed as one of the greatest in old oriental region. As for deciding its location, there were long argument about such matter. He selected this strategic place between Egypt and Syria which allowed the existence of great army to fastly save the northern areas - when needed - in an age the hazards of the Hittites were not to be taken lightly. Not to mention, the place he selected to be Egypt's capital had viable and defensive strategy as it overlooked Delta and the small boats can reach it easily and smoothly, in addition to the possibility to exploit floods in protecting it when necessary.

This vivid era was perpetuated as men of Ramsis had recorded his everlasting name on sculptures, temples and obelisks to be evidence to his deeds and accomplishments. At 90 he managed to enjoy his life to the utmost; as he exploited every second of it more than any of his ancestors did. According to some historians' accounts, he had nearly 59 daughters and 79 sons. The major burden in fighting the Hittites was in Ramsis era; as the leader of Hittites at that time - King Monally - was not less than Ramsis in terms of intelligence or desire to demonstrate the power of his state.

King Monally then prepared his army to rush into war; as he harnessed potentials and prospects and massed up army heading for northern Lebanon. As for Ramsis, he was at that time mobilizing his army, mustering his military wings to have a reconnaissance campaign in the fourth year of his reign. He reached the marked line with his enemy; as he ordered his troops to station over there in a clear defiance to the Hittites forces. Meanwhile, the Hittites army and their allies took Kadish as a center for their military actions, as it has the same strategic and natural importance simply because it overlooks three waterways and the Nile Valley.

Following a year of preparation, Ramsis II stormed the Hittites with 20,000-man army that included 4 wings, after prompting his soldiers the schemes to cover them and to capitalize on the mistakes of the enemy. At the beginning, two defectors deceived him, but his army was rallied once again to level 6 intensified offensives the last of which was the most decisive, as he managed to mop floor with the Hittites.

Peace is better
According to some historians, the king of Hittites sent a messenger to Ramsis to appeal to him stop fighting, as he said, "we don't have men left to fight so do not be tough, peace is better than War". Being generous leader and taking into his consideration the interest of his men who were about to be exhausted, Ramsis responded to the defeated king after consulting the leaders of his army who selected peace; the serenity and tranquillity. Aides of Ramsis have recorded such memorable battles on the walls of Karnak, Luxor and Abu Simble temples to serve as clear and wonderful chapter of Egypt's history to be added to the credit of the Egyptians. According to historians' Ramsis did not succeed in banishing the Hittites completely from north Syria, rather he managed to put an end to their expansion and keeping his army away from getting lost.

He returned to Egypt in order to summon up the power of his kingdom once again, creating more favourable opportunity to launch intensive offensive on the Hittites. Ramsis managed to capitalize on the long-awaited opportunity in the 8th year of his reign when the Hittites came back to inistigate and prompt upheavals and disorders in some cities in Syria and Lebanon. He sent his army in one of the most severest battles, bringing about stability and calmness after harsh struggle. His army, afterwards, pursued their inspection activities and conducted wide-scale search to get rid of Hittites.

Sending these campaigns, Ramsis was dodging in and out, himself, leading forces. The external disorders' conditions have continued till the year 21st of his reign, as this time constituted a crucial juncture in the history of relations between the Egyptian kingdom and the Hittites. Not to mention, there was a period of decisive turning point in the history of the old orient along with its traditions.

The State of Hittites, at that time, was experiencing severe and strenuous internal and external struggles, as king Monally - the arch enemy of Ramsis - died, leaving vast room for the Crown Prince and his uncle to fight for the aspired throne. While such warming seeking power struggle was taking place, the Crown Prince asked Ramsis to extend help with a view to getting rid of his uncle. Most likely, Ramsis promised him to offer help but he did not keep this promise on and did not take any effective measures in this regard. So uncle Khatosilly managed to crush the Crown Prince, still realizing that Egypt will remain a harbour for his enemies. So he decided to conduct completely different policy while dealing with Egypt, as new powers had emerged in the Mediterranean, urging him to conduct such new policy.

Peace accord
On the other hand, Egypt was in much concern about such new powers emerging on the oriental scene; looking forward to occupying the supremacy role. Egypt, then ,became willing to take positive measures to regain balanced powers in the region. New steps, however, were taken on the part of the Hittites - according to the Egyptian sources - as the king of the Hittites delegated his two special envoys for the palace of Ramsis in the Capital of Egypt. They were accompanied by two seniors of the Pharaonic palace where they reviewed an alliance accord between Egypt and the Hittites.

Ramsis had initially accepted this accord and ordered his men to write another version of it and they made the manuscript of pure silver as their opposite numbers did. After reviewing the draft and making slight amendments, the two kings along with their two Queens signed the accord in 1270 BC, commencing a new era.

This accord included several outstanding international principles. It, also, referred at its lead to the old cordial relations between Egypt and the Hittites; maybe to the period of truce or that of exchanging gifts. The accord as well was certified - at its conclusion - by one thousand Egyptian men and women of religion and an equal number of the Hittites just to show the readiness of each party to respect the gods of the other party and to express their willingness to inaugurate a new era of religious tolerance, the matter that Egyptians had accepted.

The two kingdoms vowed not to attack the borders of each other; the borders which were not mapped out yet at that time in north Syria, also the two kingdoms respected the entity of each other on equal footing. They went further as each side pledged to support the other in case of being attacked by third party. They also committed not to harbour defectors of the other kingdom and not to extend any help to them, rather to send them whatever their ranks were, provided they won't be subject for mutilation. This condition was the oldest imagination of the political refugees situation in ancient world. The accord achieved its purposes and ends, so peace prevailed, messages were exchanged, the balance of power was realized and the hope of peace loomed once again on the horizon...What sincere intentions as of very old.