14 - The New Kingdom Part 2: This means war

"The Great King, the king of Egypt, son of Re, Ramses beloved of Amen, speaks thus. Speak thus to the queen of the land of Hatti, the great Queen Puduhepa: Behold, I, your brother, am well. My houses, my sons, my armies, my horses, my chariots and everything in my lands, are very well. May you, my sister, be well! May your houses, your sons, your armies, your horses, your chariots, your nobles, and everything in your land be very well! 
Speak thus to my sister: The great King, the king of the land of Hatti, has written to me thus: Let the people come and pour sweet-smelling oil on my daughter's head and let her be taken to the house of the Great King, the king of Egypt, my brother. Behold! My brother has written thus to me. This decision my brother has made known to me is wonderful. The Sun God has approved of him. The Weather God has approved of him. And the gods of Egypt and the gods of Hatti have approved of him for making this excellent decision to unite two great lands forever..."
- From a letter to Queen Puduhepa of the Hittites from Ramesses II of Egypt

source: The Simpsons
I imagine this how Ramesses II used to behave as a child

The New Kingdom wraps up with this episode! This is one for all you military buffs out there, as we take a detailed look into history's oldest recorded battle, the Battle of Kadesh. Get out your armchairs, generals, and prepare for war! 

MP3 Direct Link

Music Credits
Experimental Sample - Middle East

Resources

Nice map of the Hittite Empire

Kadesh today - Notice its geographical importance!
Map of where the Hittite and Egyptian empires meet...Kadesh is right in the middle.
Bedouin spies being interrogated. Neat!

These three images come from Wikipedia and I think they do an excellent job explaining the stages of the battle
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3

Ramesses driving the Hittites into the river.
Hittites helping their drowning brethren out of the river.
Ooo color!
History Channel's Decisive Battles: Kadesh - fun show using the Rome: Total War engine to simulate battles. Watch it to gain a better understanding!
Hattusa today (Google Maps)
Ramesses the Great...today. Look on my works ye mighty...