The Egyptian and Hittite empires at the time of their heavyweight clash at the Battle of Kadesh in 1274 BCE.
The battle is notable for several reasons.
It is estimated that the combined armies numbered at least 45,000 men, though not all of these were involved in the fighting.
It is believed to have seen the largest chariot engagement in history, with estimates of as many as 5,000-6,000 chariots involved.
The clash is the earliest major battle for which we have actual details in regards to tactics and even divisional unit names.
It also provides the first recorded instance of an ambush, with the Hittite chariots surprising and overwhelming one Egyptian contingent as it marched to reinforce the Pharaoh Ramesses the Great in his forward camp.
The Hittite chariots then assaulted the Egyptian camp, where Ramesses had only one division at his command. Ramesses is known to have personally engaged in the fierce fighting and may have even been cut off from his troops at one point before fighting his way back to friendly lines. Slowly, the momentum of the Hittite chariots began to wane and they were forced to retreat.
Still, the Hittite king Mutawalli still had the lion’s share of his army at his disposal, as well as control of the city of Kadesh itself. He ordered a second attack and this time it looked like Ramesses might be overwhelmed.
But it was not to be. The Pharaoh was saved by the sudden arrival of Egyptian reinforcements from both the north and south. The Hittite attack was scattered and Mutawalli was forced to withdraw his remaining troops.
Ramesses held the battlefield, but he was unable to take Kadesh itself and was also forced to withdraw to the south soon after.
And so the outcome of this heavyweight clash was inconclusive. Ramesses was able to see off the Hittites, just barely, but he failed in his objective in capturing Kadesh.
Both sides claimed victory when they returned to their respective territories. The conflict between the two powers would continue for another 15 years until a peace treaty was finally signed.
