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Secondary sourceDocument1914

The Victory of Ramses II Over the Khita

Flinders Petrie · 1914

A translated account, attributed to Ramesses II, of his victory over the Hittites at Kadesh, rendered into English verse by Flinders Petrie in 1914.

This is a translation of the account of Ramesses II's own victory at Kadesh, attributed to the king himself.

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About this source

What it is

This text is a 1914 English verse translation by Egyptologist Flinders Petrie of an ancient Egyptian account describing Ramesses II's battle against the Khita (Hittites), traditionally understood as the king's own record of the Battle of Kadesh. The translation turns the original account into rhymed English verse.

Why it matters

The original account, composed in Ramesses II's name, was one of the most important pieces of royal propaganda from ancient Egypt, presenting the king as a heroic warrior saved by the gods in a difficult battle. Petrie's translation made this ancient text accessible to English readers, but it is important to remember this is a modern poetic rendering, not Ramesses II's actual words.

Why it matters

    Look closer

    • How might translating an ancient Egyptian text into English verse change its meaning or tone?
    • Why would a king want an account of a battle, even one that did not go entirely to plan, carved and celebrated?
    • What parts of the battle does the text emphasize, and what might it leave out?

    This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Ramses II (Ramses the Great) on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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