The Official Record
1Year 5, third month of the third season, day 9; under the majesty of Horus: Mighty Bull, Beloved of Truth; King of Upper and Lower Egypt: Usermare-Setepnere; Son of Re; Ramses-Meriamon, given life forever. Lo, his majesty was in Zahi on his second victorious campaign. The goodly watch in life, prosperity and health, in the tent of his majesty, was on the highland south of Kadesh. When his majesty appeared like the rising of Re, he assumed the adornments of his father, Montu. When the king proceeded northward, and his majesty had arrived at the locality south of the town of Shabtuna, there came two Shasu, to speak to his majesty as follows: “Our brothers, who belong to the greatest of the families with the vanquished chief of Kheta, have made us come to this majesty, to say: ‘We will be subjects of Pharaoh, L. P. H., and we will flee from the vanquished chief of Kheta; for the vanquished chief of Kheta sits in the land of Aleppo, on the north of Tunip. He fears because of Pharaoh, L. P. H., to come southward.’” Now, these Shasu spoke these words, which they spoke to his majesty, falsely, (for) the vanquished chief of Kheta made them come to spy where his majesty was, in order to cause the army of his majesty not to draw up for fighting him, to battle with the vanquished chief of Kheta. Lo, the vanquished chief of Kheta came with every chief of every country, their infantry and their chariotry, which he had brought with him by force, and stood, equipped, drawn up in line of battle behind Kadesh the Deceitful, while his majesty knew it not. Then his majesty proceeded northward and arrived on the northwest of Kadesh; and the army of his majesty [made camp] there. Then, as his majesty sat upon a throne of gold, there arrived a scout who was in the following of his majesty, and he brought two scouts of the vanquished chief of Kheta. They were conducted into the presence, and his majesty said to them: “What are you?” They said: “As for us, the vanquished chief of the Kheta has caused that we should come to spy out where his majesty is.” Said his majesty to them: “He! Where is he, the vanquished chief of Kheta? Behold, I have heard, saying: ‘He is in the land of Aleppo.’” Said they: “See, the vanquished chief of Kheta is stationed, together with many countries, which he has brought with him by force, being every country which is in the districts of the land of Kheta, the land of Naharin, and all Kode. They are equipped with infantry and chariotry, bearing their weapons; more numerous are they than the sand of the shore. See, they are standing, drawn up for battle, behind Kadesh the Deceitful.” Then his majesty had the princes called into the presence, and had them hear every word which the two scouts of the vanquished chief of Kheta, who were in the presence, had spoken. Said his majesty to them: “See the manner in which the chiefs of the peasantry and the officials under whom is the land of Pharaoh, L. P. H., have stood, daily, saying to the Pharaoh: ‘The vanquished chief of Kheta is in the land of Aleppo; he has fled before his majesty, since hearing that, behold, he came.’ So spoke they to his majesty daily. But see, I have held a hearing in this very hour, with the two scouts of the vanquished chief of Kheta, to the effect that the vanquished chief of Kheta is coming, together with the numerous countries [that are with] him, being people and horses, like the multitudes of the sand. They are stationed behind Kadesh the Deceitful. But the governors of the countries and the officials under whose authority is the land of Pharaoh, L. P. H., were not able to tell it to us.” Said the princes who were in the presence of his majesty: “It is a great fault, which the governors of the countries and the officials of Pharaoh, L. P. H., have committed in not informing that the vanquished chief of Kheta was near the king; and (in) that they told his report to his majesty daily.” Then the vizier was ordered to hasten the army of his majesty, while they were marching on the south of Shabtuna, in order to bring them to the place where his majesty was. Lo, while his majesty sat talking with the princes, the vanquished chief of Kheta came, and the numerous countries, which were with him. They crossed over the channel on the south of Kadesh, and charged into the army of his majesty while they were marching, and not expecting it. Then the infantry and chariotry of his majesty retreated before them, northward to the place where his majesty was. Lo, the foes of the vanquished chief of Kheta surrounded the bodyguard of his majesty, who were by his side. When his majesty saw them, he was enraged against them, like his father, Montu, lord of Thebes. He seized the adornments of battle, and arrayed himself in his coat of mail. He was like Baal in his hour. Then he betook himself to his horses, and led quickly on, being alone by himself. He charged into the foes of the vanquished chief of Kheta, and the numerous countries which were with him. His majesty was like Sutekh, the great in strength, smiting and slaying among them; his majesty hurled them headlong, one upon another into the water of the Orontes. “I charged all countries, while I was alone, my infantry and my chariotry having forsaken me. Not one among them stood to turn about. I swear, as Re loves me, as my father, Atum, favors me, that, as for every matter which his majesty has stated, I did it in truth, in the presence of my infantry and my chariotry.”
The Poem (opening narrative)
2Beginning of the victory of King Usermare-Setepnere (Ramses II), [who is given life], forever, which he achieved in the land of Kheta and Naharin, in the land of Arvad, in Pedes, in the Derden, in the land of Mesa, in the land of Kelekesh, ..., Carchemish, Kode, the land of Kadesh, in the land of Ekereth, and Mesheneth. Behold, his majesty prepared his infantry and his chariotry, the Sherden of the captivity of his majesty from the victories of his sword ... they gave the plan of battle. His majesty proceeded northward, his infantry and his chariotry being with him. He began the goodly way, to march. Year 5, the second month of the third season, on the ninth day, his majesty passed the fortress of Tharu ... [like] Montu when he goes forth. Every country trembled before him, [fear] was in their hearts; all the rebels came bowing down for fear of the fame of his majesty, when his [army] came upon the narrow road, being like one who is upon the highway of .... Now, after many days after this, behold, his majesty was in “Usermare-Meriamon,” L. P. H., the city of ... cedar. His majesty proceeded northward, and he then arrived at the highland of Kadesh. Then his majesty, L. P. H., marched before, like his father, Montu lord of Thebes, and crossed over the channel of the Orontes, there being with him the first division of Amon (named): “Victory-of-King-Usermare-Setepnere-L.-P.-H.” When his majesty, L. P. H., reached the city, behold, the wretched, vanquished chief of Kheta had come, having gathered together all countries from the ends of the sea to the land of Kheta, which came entire: the Naharin likewise, and Arvad, ..., Mesa, Keshkesh, Kelekesh, Luka, Kezweden, Carchemish, Ekereth, Kode, the entire land of Nuges, Mesheneth, and Kadesh. He left not a country which was not brought, to[gether with] their chiefs who were with him, every man bringing his chariotry, an exceeding great multitude, without its like. They covered the mountains and the valleys; they were like grasshoppers with their multitudes. He left not silver nor gold in his land (but) he plundered it of all its possessions and gave to every country, in order to bring them with him to battle. Behold, the wretched, vanquished chief of Kheta, together with the numerous allied countries, were stationed in battle array, concealed on the northwest of the city of Kadesh, while his majesty was alone by himself, [with] his bodyguard, and the division of Amon was marching behind him. The division of Re crossed over the river-bed on the south side of the town of Shabtuna, at the distance of an iter from the [division of Amon]; ... the division of Ptah was on the south of the city of Aranami; and the division of Sutekh was marching upon the road. His majesty had formed the first rank of all the leaders of his army, while they were on the shore in the land of the Amor. Behold, the wretched vanquished chief of Kheta was stationed in the midst of the infantry which was with him, and he came not out to fight, for fear of his majesty. Then he made to go the people of the chariotry, an exceedingly numerous multitude like the sand, being three people to each span. Now, they had made their combinations (thus): among every three youths was one man of the vanquished of Kheta, equipped with all the weapons of battle. Lo, they had stationed them in battle array, concealed on the northwest (of) the city of Kadesh. They came forth from the southern side of Kadesh, and they cut through the division of Re in its middle, while they were marching without knowing and without being drawn up for battle. The infantry and chariotry of his majesty, L. P. H., retreated before them. Now, his majesty had halted on the north of the city of Kadesh, on the western side of the Orontes. Then came one to tell it to his majesty, L. P. H. His majesty, L. P. H., shone like his father Montu, when he took the adornments of war; as he seized his coat of mail, he was like Baal in his hour. The great span which bore his majesty, L. P. H., called: “Victory-in-Thebes,” from the great stables of Ramses (II), was in the midst of the leaders. His majesty halted in the rout; then he charged into the foe, the vanquished of Kheta, being alone by himself and none other with him. When his majesty went to look behind him, he found 2,500 chariotry surrounding him, in his way out, being all the youth of the wretched Kheta, together with its numerous allied countries: from Arvad, from Mesa, from Pedes, from Keshkesh, from Erwenet, from Kezweden, from Aleppo, Eketeri, Kadesh, and Luka, being three men to a span, acting in unison.
The Relief Inscriptions
3(The council of war) The arrival of the scout of Pharaoh, L. P. H., bringing the two scouts of the vanquished chief of Kheta into the presence of Pharaoh, L. P. H. They are beating them, to make them tell where the wretched chief of Kheta is. (Over the horses) Great first span of his majesty: “Victory-in-Thebes,” of the great stable: “Usermare-Setepnere-Beloved-of-Amon.” (The camp, over a prince in a chariot) Fan-bearer on the king’s right hand, ..., king’s-scribe, army commander ... his majesty the ... Son his right hand .... (The camp, over an official in a chariot) Arrival of the ... of Pharaoh, L. P. H., at ... the mother of the royal children, together with the ... of the divine mother ... fleeing to the west [side] of the camp ... before the foe. (The camp, at the top) The first division of Amon (named): “He-Gives-Victory-to-Usermare-Setepnere (Ramses II)-Given-Life,” with which Pharaoh is engaged in making camp. (Before a horseman) The scout of the army of Pharaoh, L. P. H., going to hasten the division of Ptah, saying: “March on! Pharaoh, L. P. H., your lord, stands ....” (The battle, over the king’s horses and chariot) The Good God, mighty in valor, great in victory, crushing all countries, King of Upper and Lower Egypt: Usermare-Setepnere; Son of Re; Ramses-Meriamon. The stand which his majesty made while he was camping on the northwest of Kadesh. He charged into the midst of the foe belonging to the vanquished chief of Kheta, while he was alone by himself, and no other with him. He found surrounding him 2,500 horse in four bodies on his every side. He slaughtered them, making (them) heaps beneath his horses. He slew all the chiefs of all the countries, the allies of the vanquished chief of Kheta, together with his own great chiefs, his infantry and his chariotry. He overthrew them prostrate upon their faces, and hurled them down, one upon another into the waters of the Orontes. His majesty was behind them like a fierce-eyed lion ... in their place. Lo, the vanquished chief of Kheta stood extending backward his arms in praise of the Good God. (Among the fleeing enemy) Tergen .... Tergenenes, charioteer of the vanquished chief of Kheta. The great horse of his majesty: “Victory-in-Thebes;” of the great stable: “Usermare-Setepnere-Beloved-of-Amon.” Kemeth, chief of the Warriors. ...es, charioteer of the vanquished chief of Kheta. Tergetetethes, chief of the archers of the Thebes. Kherpesar, scribe of the vanquished chief of Kheta. Egem, chief of the archers of the vanquished chief of Kheta. Teyeder, chief of the bodyguard of the vanquished chief of Kheta. Peyes, charioteer of the vanquished chief of Kheta. Gerbetes, chariot-warrior of the vanquished chief of Kheta. Semretes. Peyes, charioteer of the vanquished chief of Kheta. Teder, chief of the warriors. Methrem. Rebesnen, chief of the archers of Enenes. Septher, brother of the vanquished chief of Kheta. Thewethes, chief of the country of Tenes. Rebeyer. The wretched chief of Aleppo turned upside down by his soldiers, after his majesty hurled him into the water. Warriors, who are in front of the [commander], 8,000. Town of Kadesh. (By the king of Kheta) The vanquished, wretched chief of Kheta, standing before his infantry and chariotry with his face turned round, and his heart afraid. He went not forth to battle, for fear of his majesty, after he saw his majesty prevailing [against the vanquished chief] of Kheta and all the chiefs of all the countries [who] were with him. His majesty ... he overthrew them .... [The vanquished chief of Kheta] said: “He is like Sutekh, great in might; Baal is in his limbs.” (The defense of the camp, in front of the troops) The arrival of the recruits of Pharaoh, L. P. H., from the land of Amor. They found that the force of the vanquished chief of Kheta had surrounded the camp of his majesty on its western side. His majesty had been camping alone, no army with him, [awaiting the] arrival of his [officers] and his army and the division with which Pharaoh, L. P. H., was, had not finished setting up the camp. Now the division of Re and the division of Ptah were on the march; they had not (yet) arrived, and their officers were in the [forest] of Bewey. Then the recruits cut off the foe belonging to the vanquished chief of Kheta, while they (the foe) were entering into the camp, and Pharaoh’s officers slew them; they left not a single survivor among them. Their hearts were filled with the mighty valor of Pharaoh, their good lord; he was behind them like a steward of ..., like a wall of iron, forever and ever. (After the battle, officers bringing captives before the king) Bringing in prisoners before his majesty, being those which [he] brought off in the victory of his sword in this wretched land of Kheta, when his majesty caused to be [announced to] his infantry and his chariotry, saying: “[Behold, these are] the prisoners of my own capture, while I was alone, no infantry being with me, nor any prince with me, nor any chariotry.” (Beside a group of prisoners) List of those countries which his majesty slew, while alone by himself: Corpses, horses, and chariots, bows, swords, all the weapons of warfare. (Beside another group of prisoners) Receiving the prisoners which his majesty brought off, in the victory of his sword in this wretched land of Kheta and this wretched land [of] Naharin, together with the chiefs of all countries who came with the vanquished chief of Kheta, as living captives. (Over fleeing chariots) Warriors of ... the chariots of the camp of the vanquished chief of Kheta. (Abu Simbel, behind the chariot) The Good God, who fought for his army, whose sword repulsed the Nine Bows; king, mighty in victory, who has not his like; charging into the multitudes of every country, making them prostrate bodies. His face is fierce-eyed before the chief of Kheta, and the countries of Naharin .... (Abu Simbel, over the horses) Great first span of his majesty (named): “Mut-is-Satisfied,” of the great stable: “Usermare-Setepnere-Beloved-of-Amon.” (Karnak, presentation of captives to Amon) List of the chiefs of Kheta, which his majesty, L. P. H., brought as living captives to the house of his father, Amon: Derden, Pedes, Kele[kesh] .... ... [behind his majesty, by the] ... scribe, commander in chief of the army, Amenhirkhepeshef. ... [behind] his majesty, by the king’s-son, Khamwese. ... behind his majesty, by the king’s-son, Meriamon. ... behind his majesty, by the king’s-son, Seti. Captives from the northern countries, who came to overthrow his majesty, whom his majesty slew, and whose subjects he brought as living captives, to fill the storehouse of his father, Amon.