| This sculpted tableau is divided horizontally by the river
Orontes, represented by zigzag lines. |
The fortified city of Kadesh occupies
a projecting tongue of land, almost surrounded by the great bend of the
river. To the right, where there is apparently a ford, some Egyptian chariots
are dashing across in pursuit of a Khetan chariot, in which are seen three
warriors. |
The Egyptian chariots are distinguished from those of the Kheta
by containing only two.
In the top register, to right, an aide-de-camp
on horseback gallops off with orders for the tardy rear-guard, and we see
a horse running away with an empty chariot. |
To the left Rameses (depicted
of colossal size) pursues the flying foe to the water's edge. Some lie
trampled under his chariot-wheels, and some are drowning in the river.
A drowning chief is dragged to shore by a soldier of the garrison. |
