Anthony Spalinger – författare

An illustrated look at Ancient Egypt and one of the earliest recorded battles that put a stop to Ramesses II's drive into Syria.In c. 1286 BC, Ramesses II was pharaoh and commander of the Egyptian army. He led an expedition northwards from the eastern delta, through Palestine, and aimed for the city of Kadesh, which was currently in the hands of the Hittites. What Ramesses did not expect was that the Hittites' leader, King Muwatallis, was in the city, which made his plans much harder. Meeting in battle at the Orontes River in southern Syria, it was the largest clash of chariots ever seen. The Hittites proved to be formidable opponents, managing to slice through the second division of the Egyptian army with a targeted chariot attack. In the end, the Hittites were forced to retreat but the Egyptians also failed to capture Kadesh and had to withdraw out of Syria.In this detailed volume, Egyptologist Anthony Spalinger explores the history of the Egyptians and Hittites, looking at how they fought and how Kadesh came to be considered one of the most decisive battles of the ancient world. With stunning artwork, maps, diagrams and images of carvings from multiple temples, Ancient Egypt is brought to life, showcasing one of the earliest recorded set-piece battles.

Standing as a summary of Spalinger's ideas at the time of the Yale lectures in 2012, this study covers two research sides of modern Egyptological research by a life-long student of ancient Egyptian calendrics and the Egyptian military. The first three chapters cover the development of Richard Parker's seminal study from 1950 and move into the present stage of scholarship. Very important is the author's clarification of what Parker wrote in his paradigmatic work, a slim volume often misunderstood. Hence, the thrust of argument concentrates upon the dating of feasts, the names of the Egyptian months and their metamorphoses, in addition to the retention of lunar-based phenomena. Two final chapters turn to the military aspects of New Kingdom warfare, with emphasis placed upon Seti I and logistical arrangements.

An illustrated look at Ancient Egypt and one of the earliest recorded battles that put a stop to Ramesses II's drive into Syria.In c. 1286 BC, Ramesses II was pharaoh and commander of the Egyptian army. He led an expedition northwards from the eastern delta, through Palestine, and aimed for the city of Kadesh, which was currently in the hands of the Hittites. What Ramesses did not expect was that the Hittites' leader, King Muwatallis, was in the city, which made his plans much harder. Meeting in battle at the Orontes River in southern Syria, it was the largest clash of chariots ever seen. The Hittites proved to be formidable opponents, managing to slice through the second division of the Egyptian army with a targeted chariot attack. In the end, the Hittites were forced to retreat but the Egyptians also failed to capture Kadesh and had to withdraw out of Syria.In this detailed volume, Egyptologist Anthony Spalinger explores the history of the Egyptians and Hittites, looking at how they fought and how Kadesh came to be considered one of the most decisive battles of the ancient world. With stunning artwork, maps, diagrams and images of carvings from multiple temples, Ancient Egypt is brought to life, showcasing one of the earliest recorded set-piece battles.

An illustrated look at Ancient Egypt and one of the earliest recorded battles that put a stop to Ramesses II's drive into Syria.In c. 1286 BC, Ramesses II was pharaoh and commander of the Egyptian army. He led an expedition northwards from the eastern delta, through Palestine, and aimed for the city of Kadesh, which was currently in the hands of the Hittites. What Ramesses did not expect was that the Hittites' leader, King Muwatallis, was in the city, which made his plans much harder. Meeting in battle at the Orontes River in southern Syria, it was the largest clash of chariots ever seen. The Hittites proved to be formidable opponents, managing to slice through the second division of the Egyptian army with a targeted chariot attack. In the end, the Hittites were forced to retreat but the Egyptians also failed to capture Kadesh and had to withdraw out of Syria.In this detailed volume, Egyptologist Anthony Spalinger explores the history of the Egyptians and Hittites, looking at how they fought and how Kadesh came to be considered one of the most decisive battles of the ancient world. With stunning artwork, maps, diagrams and images of carvings from multiple temples, Ancient Egypt is brought to life, showcasing one of the earliest recorded set-piece battles.