occasion, this time he realised that if he returned to Egypt, the
likelihood of his being detained there indefinitely–or worse–was
considerable. Best not to risk it. Instead, he declared his allegiance
to King Suppiluliuma of Hatti.
THE LOOMING SHOWDOWN WITHEGYPT
Henceforth, both Amurru and Qadesh as well as other former
Egyptian territories remainedfirmly in Hittite hands–for the time
being. But there was no doubt that Egypt wanted them back, and
would take thefirst opportunity it could to wrest them from Hittite
control. That opportunity presented itself with the emergence of a
powerful new dynasty in Egypt, the Nineteenth or so-called
Ramesside dynasty, named after its founder Ramesses I. This
Ramesses reigned only briefly before dying and leaving the throne to
his son and successor Seti I (1294–1279). Seti soon made it clear that
one of his major aims was to get back Amurru and Qadesh. At that
time the Hittite throne was occupied by Muwattalli II (c.1295–1272).
Muwattalli’sfatherandpredecessorMursilihadlefthima
relatively stable kingdom throughout the length and breadth of its
territories. But the new king realised that matters would soon come to
a head with Egypt, and very likely began making comprehensive
preparations for a major war with his Egyptian Royal Brother shortly
after his accession. This meant building a substantial military force, to
be taken deep into Syrian territory and probably stationed there for a
long time. Which was not without its problems. Hittite history had
given repeated lessons about the dangers of stripping the kingdom’s
military resources for major campaigns far from the homeland, and
thus leaving Hatti’s core territory vulnerable to hostile neighbours,
particularly the Kaska tribes. How was Muwattalli to ensure the
security of his homeland, especially the royal capital, while taking the
bulk of his army to Syria for a war with Egypt?
ANEW ROYAL CAPITAL
This provides the context, and probably at least part of the
explanation, for an astonishingly bold decision Muwattalli
160 WARRIORS OF ANATOLIA