scepter. When the Ka’aper statue was taken out of the
mastaba, the modern Egyptian workmen on the site
announced that it was a portrait of Sheikh el-Beled, their
local mayor. A second statue depicting Ka’aper as a young
man was also found in SAQQARA.
Kab, El See ELKAB.
Kadesh A city-state near Lake Homs in modern Syria,
commanding the upper valley of the Orontes River, it was
the key to the massive TRADEroute to Asia, stretching
between the Lebanon land ridges to the Euphrates River
and Assyrian domains. In the reign of TUTHMOSIS III
(1479–1425 B.C.E.), Kadesh rebelled against Egyptian
domination and gathered an army of allies at AR-MEGIDDO
on Mount Carmel’s northern slope. Tuthmosis III led his
army across Mount Carmel, single file, and came down
behind the enemy.
When the foe entered the Ar-Megiddo fortress, Tuth-
mosis erected a siege wall and starved the besieged.
Kadesh’s ruler, however, escaped, and Tuthmosis had to
campaign again and again in order to put an end to the
rebellion. The city-state had water defenses composed of
a moat and a canal. RAMESSES II(r. 1290–1224 B.C.E.)
would also campaign against Kadesh.
Kadesh, Battle of A famous confrontation between
RAMESSES II(r. 1290–1224 B.C.E.) and MUWATALLISof the
HITTITES, taking place c. 1285 B.C.E. on the Orontes River
in modern Syria, the battle was recounted in 10 inscrip-
tions, including a poetic form, bulletins, and reliefs on
temple walls. Ramesses II marched out of Egypt on the
ninth day of the second month of summer, stopping at
Tjel, an Egyptian outpost. He had the Regiment of Amun,
as well as three other major units with him, and the Sher-
den infantry, composing a force of 20,000 men. Reaching
Ramesses-Meryamen, an Egyptian fortress in the Valley of
the Cedars in modern Lebanon, Ramesses II saw no sign
of the Hittites. Tricked by two “Shoshu,” Hittite spies
posing as local inhabitants, Ramesses II stretched his
forces 30 miles into the enemy territory, divided his
forces, and then made camp. When Muwatallis began a
series of raids and ambushes, Ramesses II beat the
“Shoshu” and received confirmation of the Hittite trap
and his peril.
The Hittites reportedly had 3,500 chariots, manned
by three men each, and an infantry of 18,000 to 19,000
with auxiliary units and escorts totaling 47,500.
Ramesses II, becoming alarmed, sent for the Regiment of
Ptah and scolded his officers for their laxity in assessing
the situation. While this was happening, however, the
Hittites were cutting their way through the Regiment of
Ré, sealing the trap. Hundreds of Egyptians began to
arrive at Ramesses II’s camp in headlong flight. The Hit-
tite cavalry was close behind, followed by some 2,500
chariots. The Regiment of Amun was almost over-
whelmed by the panicking soldiers who had suffered the
first losses in the battle. The unit therefore raced north-
ward in the same disorder.
Undaunted, Ramesses II brought calm and purpose
to his small units and began to slice his way through the
enemy in order to reach his southern forces. With only
his household troops, a few officers, and followers, and
with the rabble of the defeated units standing by, he
mounted his chariot and discovered the extent of the
forces against him. His chariot was drawn by his favorite
horses, “Victory of Thebes” and “Mut Is Content,” and he
charged the east wing of the assembled force with such
ferocity that they gave way, allowing the Egyptians to
escape the net that Muwatallis had cast for them. The
Hittite king watched the cream of his command fall
before Ramesses II, including his own brother. The Hit-
tites and their allies were being driven into the river,
where they drowned.
Within the abandoned Egyptian camp, the enemy
soldiers were looting, and they were surprised by a group
of Ramesses II’s soldiers and slain. Ramesses II gathered
up the victorious unit, determined to stand his ground
until reinforcements arrived. The Hittite king, in turn,
threw his reserves of 1,000 chariots into the fray, but he
was unable to score against Ramesses II and his men.
Then the banners and totems of the Regiment of Ptah
came into sight and both camps knew that the Egyptian
reinforcements had arrived. The Hittite cavalry was
driven into the city, with terrible losses, and Muwatallis
withdrew. Ramesses II did not capture Kadesh, and
Muwatallis claimed a Hittite victory and the acquisition
of the city of Apa (modern Damascus). Ramesses II
claimed victory and executed all of the Egyptians who
had not rushed to his aid. This battle would not end the
conflicts between Egypt and the Hittites. Almost two
decades of confrontations finally led to the Egyptian Hit-
tite Treaty.Suggested Readings:Road to Kadesh a Historical Interpre-
tation of the Battle Reliefs of King Sety I at Karnak.Chicago:
Oriental Inst., 1990; Healy, Mark. The Warrior Pharaoh:
Ramesses II and the Battle.London: Osprey, 2000.Kagemni(fl. 26th century B.C.E.)Famed sage and vizier
of the Old Kingdom
Kagemni served the rulers of both the Third (2649–2575
B.C.E.) and Fourth (2575–2465 B.C.E.) Dynasties of Egypt.
He acted as the mayor of the capital of MEMPHISfor HUNI
(r. 2599–2575 B.C.E.) and as a vizier for SNEFRU (r.
2575–2551 B.C.E.). Kagemni, however, is famous for his
Instructions,written for him by a scribe named Kaires, a
didactic text concerned with proper attitudes of service
and dedication on the part of high-ranking officials.
Kagemni’s tomb at SAQQARA, near the pyramid of TETI,190 Kab, El