The Hittites were a powerful empire in what is today Turkey. They also wanted to control the eastern Mediterranean. Five years into his reign, Ramses fought a huge battle against the Hittites. They fought at Kadesh. The battle stopped the Hittites’ advance, but war with the Hittites dragged on for more than 15 years. Finally, Ramses wrote letters to the Hittite king and negotiated a peace treaty. This peace with the Hittites and Egypt’s territorial expansion allowed Ramses to create a strong economy.

Egypt reached its height during Ramses II's reign. After his death, several challengers emerged. Individuals from the same ruling dynasty fought for power. Also, Egypt was repeatedly invaded by a group known as the Sea Peoples. The Sea Peoples never conquered Egypt. However, the Sea Peoples waged a long war that left Egypt’s civilization weak and unstable. Egypt was conquered by the Lybians, then the Nubians. The Persians came next. Macedonia conquered after. Finally, the Romans came and took control of Egypt.