This excerpt comes from an Egyptian account of the Battle of Qadesh, fought about 1274 BCE between the Egyptian army, led by Pharaoh Ramses II, and the Hittite army, led by King Mutwatalli I. The Hittite kingdom was in central Anatolia and claimed Syria. The Egyptians were trying to extend their control into Syria. They met in battle at the town of Qadesh. The battle might have been the largest chariot battle ever fought.