Describe the relationship of the Hittites and the Egyptians

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Egypt's view of Hittites:

"Meren hated that grin. Hittites were notorious for going into battle grinning just like that, as if they found slashed bellies with entrails spilling out to be the most amusing of sights" (23).

Mugallu's grin reminds Meren of the Hittites and their brutal approach towards war and violence. Through this quote it is shown that Meren disapproves of the Hittites and believes that they are barbaric and bloodthirsty.

Hittite view of Egypt:

"The Hittite's smirk contorted. 'I'm not ordinary business! By the storm god, I hate coming to this land, with its arrogance, its lazy preoccupation with itself...'you...nobles. You're pampered, oiled toys of pharaoh, and yet you're stuffed with pride. Every son of a jackal bitch is certain that Egypt is the chosen kingdom of the gods. I know what you call the rest of us.'" (75).

Mugallu, a Hittite, believes that Egyptians are coddled by the autocratic pharaoh, saying that they are "pampered, oiled toys of the pharaoh". He proclaims that he "hate[s] coming to this land, with its arrogance,[and] its lazy preoccupation with itself". This quote conveys the Hittite's view on Egyptians through Mugallu's words. He believes that Egypt feels that they are higher than the rest because they are "certain that Egypt is the chosen kingdom of the gods". He feels that the people are spoiled, take what they have for granted, and are controlled completely by the wishes of the pharaoh rather than doing what they believe is right and what they want to do.

Sources:

Eater of Souls pages 23 and 75

http://www.ancient.eu/hittite/

Picture from:

http://www.veteranstoday.com/2011/12/09/ancient-egypt-knew-no-pharaohs/

- Sara Doyle