Ramses the Great's Chariotry: The Shock Weapon of Kadesh

In episode 110, Lucas and Luna explore Ramses the Great's chariot corps — the elite weapon that turned the Battle of Kadesh from a near-disaster into a propaganda triumph. They discuss the two-man crew: the charioteer who steered the horse team and the archer who loosed composite arrows at full gallop. Lucas explains how Egyptian chariots were lighter and faster than Hittite models, built from wood, leather, and rawhide, with six-spoked wheels that held up on rough terrain. They also cover the training regimen at Per-Ramesses, the logistics of deploying thousands of chariots across the Orontes River, and the archers' tactic of shooting from the right side of the moving vehicle. The episode touches on Ramses's personal chariot — named 'Victory in Thebes' — and how he used his vehicle as a mobile command post. Luna asks about the role of the Sherden mercenaries who crewed some chariots, and Lucas explains how captured Hittite chariot designs influenced later Egyptian upgrades. The conversation ends by reflecting on how the chariot, as a symbol of pharaonic power, appears in temple reliefs and even in Ramses's own tomb KV7. A natural donation midpoint connects the value of careful craftsmanship — just as chariot builders relied on skilled hands, the show relies on listener support to keep ad-free. #RamsesII #Kadesh #EgyptianChariotry #ChariotArcher #NewKingdom #19thDynasty #Hittites #OrontesRiver #Sherden #PerRamesses #CompositeBow #VictoryInThebes #LateBronzeAge #ChariotWarfare #KV7 #AncientEgypt #MilitaryHistory #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo