text: [Themes: edutainment, quiz]
  
  You find yourself in modern day Syria in May in the year 1274 B.C. It is pleasantly warm and you stand in a fairly dry and sandy area. In the distance ahead of you, you see a walled city resting upon a mound. And a little further away, to the west, a small camp. To your right, there is a treeline but since the sun is shining brightly from this direction, you cannot make out much more. Behind you, you are surprised to see a cloud of sand. Looking more closely, you can make out that what is coming towards you, are horses. Noticing the cavalry behind you growing larger and larger, you quickly decide to head towards the tree line in order to make sure that you will not stand in anybody's way. As the cloud of sand approaches you, you find out that the cavalry is in fact a large number of horse-drawn chariots, manned by two drivers. You don't know how many are approaching, but it's quite a lot, probably at least hundred. It's an amazing sight to see! In order to prevent being run over, you run towards the safety of the trees...but you are forced to halt as you see your escape route blocked by...even more horse drawn chariots! Accompanied by the sound of horns a multitude of chariots appear from behind the tree lines and head towards you! It seems that you about to be 'sandwiched' between two rival forces on horsedrawn chariots...
  
  Congratulations time traveler! You have been warped to your 15th and final destination. One more historical event literally stands between you and your graduation as historian. Exciting isn't it? You are an unwilling witness to the opening phase of the famous Battle of Kadesh, the earliest battle in recorded history for which details of tactics and formations are known. It is also the largest chariot battle ever fought...but by now, you already must have known this. There is no way for you to escape being run over unless you can answer me this final question: Which civilization confronted the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II during the battle of Kadesh?
  
  > The Hittites
  Sound the trumpets! That is correct...the Egyptians faced the Hittites at Kadesh. The Hittites were an Anatolian people that established an empire around Hattusa in central Anatolia (present day Turkey) around the 18th century B.C. The Empire reached its height during the late 14th century when it encompassed an area that included most of Asia Minor as well as parts of the northern Levant. The secret to their supremacy was the fact that they were the first civilization to manufacture iron artifacts and that they were pioneers in international politics and diplomacy. After 1180 B.C. amid general turmoil in the Levant associated with the sudden arrival of the Sea Peoples, the empire disintegrated into several independent Neo-Hittite states, some which would survive until the 8th century B.C. Hittite prosperity was dependent on control of the trade routes and metal sources. Because of the importance of Syria to the vital traderoutes linking East to West, defense of this area was crucial. The Hittites did their best to maintain good relations with the people of the Levant but this was put to the test by the Egyptian expansion under Pharaoh Rameses II, leading to the battle of Kadesh. Although the outcome of the battle is uncertain, it seems that the timely arrival of Egyptian reinforcements prevented a Hittite victory.
  
  Well time traveler, you have made it. I'm very impressed. But before we raise a toast, let me get you out of here first. Behind you the Hittite chariots are about to run you over and ahead of you the surprised Egyptian charioteers are already firing their arrows. You don't want to be hit by one now, would you?
  
  Let's head to the present and see each other face to face...
  
  > Off to meet Chronos...
  You've been warped into a room. One thing which is certain is that you have not been transported to the ancient times. Around you, in what seems to be a a round room, are thousands of books in a bookshelf which reaches up to the ceiling almost 7 meter - or 23 feet - above you. A long ladder gives access to the literature on the highest shelf. In the middle of the room stands a large victorian desk upon which lie a number of highly interesting historical artifacts: a grail, a skull, a roman helmet, a roll of papyrus and a brick upon which the number 1789 is scratched. Behind the desk sits a man in early 19th century clothing with a red scarf around his neck. He is bald but has a white beard which betrays his age: somewhere in his late 60's.
  
  -"Welcome to the year 2042 contestant. I am Chronos."
  
  The man stands up and reaches out his hand to congratulate you. You shake it, however with a little doubt. This man has brought you some exciting moments, sometimes even too exciting. He has put your life on the line a number of times...you could have died. To be honest, you are a little disgusted by the Grand Master of History. This was not what you intended when you entered the contest!
  
  > Continue
  -"You have had some close calls I know..." he speaks with a grin as if having read your mind "...but hey, you survived the travel through time and you did very well. Not many travelers have done what you have accomplished and survived!"
  
  At this Chronos offers you a white scarf.
  
  -"Here, you are now officially a historian with the rank of 'initiate' and you get to wear the white scarf as a sign of your competence. Congratulations."
  
  It is indeed a fine scarf and you immediately wrap it around your neck...you deserved it.
  
  -"Now if you want to become a historian with the rank of 'mentor' and wear the green scarf, you will have to come back and thravel through time again. This time however you will be travelling through the Middle Ages. Are you up for the challenge?"
  
  When Chronos sees you in doubt, he laughs and puts his hand on your shoulder:
  
  -"Don't worry, you don't have to answer right away. Come back when you feel rested. After all it's been a long day."