MILITARY OF ANCIENT EGYPT DURING THE REIGN OF RAMESSES II

Abstract

This article presents the peculiarities of military development during the reign of Ramesses II. It is usually assumed that the heyday of ancient Egypt had begun in times of pharaoh Seti’s reign. In the ninth year of his reign, he appointed his son and heir as the co-regent, and since that time, Ramesses' II military activity had begun. Ramesses obtained the first military victory in the naval battle against the “Sea Peoples”. In the second year of his reign, and in the future he succeeded in wars against the Hittites in Asia Minor, as well as against Syria and Phoenicia. Peace arrangement established between Egypt and the Hittite kingdom was about 1270 BC, had lasted more than a century. As a result, it contributed to the unprecedented rise of the economic life in the Middle East. The peace treaty was translated into Egyptian language and was immortalized on the walls of the Karnak and the Ramesseum. The text of the treaty, what pharaoh sent to Hattusili in exchange for his tablet, was also in cuneiform, inscribed in the Akkadian language – common language of that time. Its fragments have been preserved at the Bogazkale archives. Mainly, the treaty was created to ensure the mutual guarantee, that both sides would not invade the other's land, would give an aid, infantry and chariots if either party is attacked by a third party or in case of rebellion. Both sides promise to the other to repatriate refugees. It was the first in world history diplomatic agreement that is saved till nowadays. After the signing of this peace treaty, or because of the deterioration of health, the period of active military campaigns of Ramses II had ended. The time of active diplomatic correspondence between the two countries had begun. Messages from Ramesses II, his family and vizier Paser addressed to king Hattusili III and his wife Puduhepa were found at the Bogazkale archive. Egyptian doctors were often sent to the Hittites’ court.