It is generally dated to May 1274 BC, as accounted by Egyptian chronology,[14] and is the earliest pitched battle in recorded history for which details of tactics and formations are known. It is believed to be the largest battle ever fought involving chariots, a total of 5,000 to 6,000.[15][16][17]
After being outmaneuvered, ambushed, and surrounded, in the critical moment Ramesses personally led his body guard to charge the Hittite ranks, and broke through to stem the tide of disaster.
^Lorna Oakes, Pyramids, Temples & Tombs of Ancient Egypt: An Illustrated Atlas of the Land of the Pharaohs, Hermes House: 2003, p. 142.
^Cite error: The named reference grimal256 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference HC080514-rpt was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Near the modern village of Al-Houz in Syria's Al-Qusayr District. see Kitchen, K. A., "Ramesside Inscriptions", volume 2, Blackwell Publishing Limited, 1996, pp. 16–17.
^Around "Year 5 III Shemu day 9" of Ramesses II's reign (James Henry Breasted, Ancient Records of Egypt, vol. III, p. 317) or more precisely: May 12, 1274 BC based on Ramesses' commonly accepted accession date in 1279 BC.