A Time of Peace Trivia Quiz

Answer:

Although not as well known as ancient Mesopotamia or Egypt, the Hittites, who lived in the area of modern day Turkey, are considered by historians to be the third oldest civilization to arise in the Middle East. It makes sense, therefore, that being relatively close to each other, the two nations would eventually collide while empire building.

Preoccupied with the religious problems and turmoil that was caused during the reign and aftermath of Pharaoh Akhenaton, the Egyptians didn't notice the Hittite expansion (or ignored it) until it was practically at their doorstep, in the area that is today northern Lebanon/southern Syria. For about 200 years the two sides engaged in minor skirmishes; however, a new Egyptian dynasty signaled a return to the desire to expand the empire to the north.

The Battle of Kadesh, c. 1274 BC, was more than a skirmish, and we know that for certain. It is the first pitched battle in history for which major details are known; in addition, it is believed to have been the largest chariot battle in history, with both sides engaging each other with an estimated total of 5-6,000 chariots. The only detail that is a bit murky is who was the victor at the battle. Both Pharaoh Ramses II and King Muwatalli II claimed it was them!

The Eternal Treaty, which is also called the Treaty of Kadesh or the Silver Treaty, was negotiated sixteen years later in 1258 BC; it does not mention the Battle of Kadesh, but it apparently took that long for each side to come to the conclusion that there was no way to defeat the other. Each was also being pressured in different ways - the Egyptians were hoping to focus their attention more on building projects, while the Hittites were justified in being concerned about the Assyrian Empire moving closer to them. Ramses II, known for his astounding longevity, made the agreement with the new Hittite leader, Hattusilli III, and, according to historians, both sides received silver tablets on which the treaty was written.

The Egyptian version promises that "there shall be no hostilities between them forever"; that they will not make an attempt to conquer each others' land. It goes on to say that "if another enemy come against the land", that the two leaders will come to each other's aid. According to the Hittite version, they also promised that if a person left one king to go to the other, they would "take hold of him and deliver him" back to his king. In conclusion, the treaty says that if one of the leaders does not keep the agreement, the gods "shall exterminate" him. And, of course, there was the typical admonishment, "They who observe the words that are in the silver tablet, the great gods...shall allow them to live and prosper...."

Shortly after the pact was made, the pharaoh married a Hittite princess to further solidify the agreement. He also began to focus more of his attention on building projects like Abu Simbel. By 1180 BC, the Hittite capital of Hattusa had been burned to the ground, and the Empire would soon collapse. Egypt was experiencing problems with the invasions of the Sea Peoples; both groups were apparently unable to come to the aide of the other.

The Eternal Treaty is the first treaty of which both versions have been found; in Egypt it was carved on two temple walls - the Ramesseum and the Precinct of Amun-Re at Karnak Temples. In Turkey, a cuneiform copy was found in the ruins of Hattusa, the ancient Hittite capital, by archaeologists in the early 1900s. Today a copy of the treaty can be found on the wall of the United Nations building in New York City.