Ramses II was considered the greatest pharaoh due to his long reign of 66 years, his numerous monumental constructions such as the temples of Abu Simbel and Luxor, as well as his significant military victories, notably during the battle of Kadesh.
Ramses II reigned for nearly 67 years, from about 1279 to 1213 BC. Such a duration was completely insane at the time, considering that people often lived much shorter lives. This stability allowed him to quietly establish his power and implement ambitious policies without being disturbed. Under his reign, Egypt enjoyed a period of internal peace, a prosperous economy, and an effective administration. Thanks to him, the entire country was calm, united, and organized. This is what made him a true legend.
Ramses II owes much of his military reputation to his (albeit uncertain) victory in the famous Battle of Kadesh against the Hittite Empire. This battle took place around 1274 BC and represents one of the best-documented confrontations of antiquity. Certainly, he did not achieve a crushing victory, but he skillfully used this battle as a propaganda tool, celebrating his military exploits on numerous monuments. Ramses II also led effective military campaigns in Nubia and Libya, thereby strengthening and stabilizing Egypt's borders. His greatest strength, in reality, was his ability to negotiate lasting treaties after the fighting, such as his innovative peace treaty signed with the Hittites, which is now considered one of the oldest known international peace treaties.
Ramses II loved to build on a grand scale. His reign is marked by the creation of impressive architectural works, some of which still stand today among the most remarkable ancient masterpieces. Among the most famous are Abu Simbel, two temples carved directly into the rock, featuring colossal statues of himself that are approximately 20 meters tall. Other major achievements under his leadership include the grand hypostyle hall of the Karnak temple, consisting of an impressive forest of sculpted columns, as well as the mortuary temple of the Ramesseum, on the west bank of Luxor. Ramses II built extensively, leaving behind an Egypt etched in his image, monumental and spectacular.
Ramses II understood something important: controlling his image was controlling his legend. He always portrayed himself as a powerful and invincible pharaoh, even when reality was more nuanced. For example, after the mixed battle of Kadesh against the Hittites, he commissioned stories and engravings depicting him as a heroic warrior, fighting alone against all. That is effective ancient PR. His colossal statue at Abu Simbel, his face sculpted repeatedly all over Egypt, all served one purpose: to constantly remind the people of his greatness and reinforce his divine authority. The result? A pharaoh who remains to this day a symbol of the supreme and prestigious power of ancient Egypt.
Ramses II is often associated with the famous English poem 'Ozymandias' by Percy Bysshe Shelley. Ozymandias is a Greek transcription of Ramses' royal name, symbolizing the inevitable decline of human greatness despite monumental achievements.
Ramses II is said to be the father of more than a hundred children. With several wives and concubines, his numerous descendants helped to strengthen his political alliances and ensure the stability of his reign.
Among the monumental constructions of Ramses II is the temple of Abu Simbel, which was completely dismantled and relocated in the 1960s to prevent it from being submerged by the rising waters of Lake Nasser after the construction of the Aswan Dam.
The mummy of Ramses II was discovered in 1881 in the royal cache at Deir el-Bahari. In 1976, it was transported to France to be treated for fungal deterioration, even receiving an official Egyptian passport stating the profession as "King (deceased)."
Yes, the mummy of Ramses II was discovered in 1881 in the royal cache at Deir el-Bahari. Today, it is preserved at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Its study has provided a better understanding of his health and even identified some medical issues he suffered from in the last years of his life.
Ramesses II had over a hundred children with his numerous wives and concubines. This allowed him to strengthen his political and dynastic influence, ensure the continuity of his lineage, and maintain lasting political stability throughout the Egyptian empire.
The Battle of Kadesh, fought against the Hittite Empire around 1274 BC, is famous for its strategic and military significance. Despite a conclusion with no clear victor, Ramses II portrayed this event as a great personal victory, skillfully using propaganda to enhance his prestige and assert his heroic image.
Among the most emblematic architectural achievements of Ramses II are the temples of Abu Simbel, dedicated to himself and his queen Nefertari, as well as the extensive expansions made to the Temple of Karnak and the Ramesseum, his mortuary temple located near Thebes.
Ramses II placed great importance on his personal propaganda, multiplying representations of himself on statues, temples, obelisks, and wall murals to reinforce the image of a powerful, deified pharaoh and protector of Egypt.
Ramses II reigned for about 66 years, from 1279 to 1213 BCE, making it one of the longest and most stable reigns in all of ancient Egyptian history.
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