Hattusili And Ramesses: Indirect Or Personal Turmoil?

Secondly, personal turmoil may also have played a pivotal role in bringing about the pact between Hattusili and Ramesses. Each king faced grueling opposition, Hattusili, in particular, became aware of the dangers he would face due to his ascent in power. Hattusili rose to power by ousting his own nephew (who fled to Egypt) from inheriting the throne. For this reason, Hattusili may have been constantly fearful of a coup and attempted to negotiate the extradition of fugitives as a clause in the treaty. As it is mentioned: “If a dignitary flees Hatti or if a town’s population situated in the land belonging to the King of Hatti flees, and comes to Ramses, Beloved of Amon, Great King, King of Egypt, then Ramses, Beloved of Amon, Great King, King of Egypt will seize them, and deliver them to the hands of Hattusili, Great King, King of Hatti, their lord.” The fact that Hattusili came to power after ousting the son and legitimate successor who fled to Egypt and …show more content…
Ramesses could represent the treaty as a diplomatic victory initiated by the Hittite king. As it is mentioned: “Ramses, Beloved of Amon, Great King, King of Egypt, shall never attack Hatti for the purpose of taking anything from it. So shall Hattusili, Great King, King of Hatti, never attack Egypt for the purpose of taking anything from it.” Signing the treaty with Hatti gave Ramses the opportunity to brag about his "defeat" of the Hittites. After reaching the desired alliance with the Hatti, Ramesses was now able to turn his energy to domestic building projects and focus on Egypt's financial and security interests. Overall, the excerpts from the treaty involves personal responses and interests from the rulers which demonstrate that the treaty between Ramses and Hattusili was a personal treaty between the two of them, rather than a formal alliance between their