In subsequent years, Ramesses did in fact try to bolster his
international reputation by further campaigns which took him
deep into Hittite subject-territory, and posed further threats to the
security of the Hittites’Syrian states. But there was never another
major battle between the two Great Kings. Indeed, the casualties on
both sides had been so heavy that neither could afford another such
engagement. Even so, tensions between the two powers remained
high, not to be resolved for some years to come. And all the while
Assyria lurked menacingly on the sidelines.
166 WARRIORS OF ANATOLIA