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Who led the Hittite forces at the Battle of Kadesh?
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Ramses II
A larger-than-life Ramses II towering over his prisoners and clutching them by the hair. Limestone bas-relief from Memphis, Egypt, 1290–24 bce; in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo.
The Hittite forces at the Battle of Kadesh were led by the Hittite king Muwatallis.12
During the conflict, which took place around 1275 BCE, Muwatallis commanded a significant force of 40,000 foot soldiers and 3,000 chariots against the Egyptian army led by Ramses II. By successfully concealing his army's position, Muwatallis was able to launch a surprise attack on the Egyptian vanguard, though the battle ultimately ended in an inconclusive draw.13