the Hittites at the Battle of Kadesh in 1275 BC, after which the earliest known peace treaty was signed in 1258 BC. 1279-1213 Merneptah A stele describing his campaigns in Libya and Palestine contains the first known reference to the Israelites . 1213-1203 Amenemses - 1203-1200 Seti II - 1200-1194 Merneptah