Top 11 Fascinating Facts About Ramses II, Known As Ramses The Great
During the 13th century BC, ancient Egypt was recovering from the turbulent Amara period, significantly weakening the empire. The most notable pharaoh during this period was Ramses II or Ramses the Great. He restored Egypt to its former Glory and re-established its regional dominance. Moreover, he maintained stability within the empire, preserved its borders, and built terrific monuments throughout Egypt. His unprecedented 66-year-long reign and countless achievements immortalized him worldwide as “Ramses The Great.” and revealed more about King Ramses II’s facts.
The 18th dynasty’s rule of Egypt ended in 1292 BC with the death of Pharaoh Horemheb, who left behind no heir to the throne. Before his death, Horemheb appointed his Chief Vizier, Paramesse, to succeed him as pharaoh of Egypt, both to reward Paramesse’s undying loyalty and because he had a son and a grandson, which ensured a stable line of succession for the empire. On becoming Pharaoh, Paramesse changed his name to Ramesses the First, which translates to “Established by the strength of Ra.” He ruled Egypt for less than two years before dying and was succeeded by his son, Seti the First. Seti had a successful reign and could reclaim much of the northern lands lost under the heretic pharaoh Akhenaten.
In exploring the top 10 fascinating facts of King Ramses II, we delve into the life and achievements of this iconic pharaoh.
1. Did You Know That Ramses Wasn’t The Next Inline For The Throne
Ramses II‘s path to the Egyptian throne was not straightforward. He wasn’t the first in line; his father, Pharaoh Seti I, had other sons, too. Plus, we’re not entirely sure who Ramses’ mom was, which makes things even more mysterious. But, through some clever moves and maybe a little help from the gods (or so the ancient Egyptians believed), Ramses II became pharaoh anyway. And what a great pharaoh he turned out to be!
2. He Almost Lost His Life In The Battle of Kadesh
After becoming prince region, he helped his father with good military expeditions. One of the defining moments of Ramses II’s reign was the Battle of Kadesh in 1274 BC. In his quest to reclaim lost provinces in the north, Ramses II initiated a military campaign against the mighty Hittite Empire, led by Muwatalli II. The battle fought near Kadesh is renowned as the earliest well-recorded battle in history. Ramses II found himself in a difficult situation as the Hittites outnumbered his forces and launched a surprise attack. However, he narrowly escaped death and demonstrated exceptional leadership by personally leading a counterattack, driving the Hittites away from the Egyptian army. While the battle’s outcome was inconclusive, Ramses II’s bravery and resilience earned him the admiration of his people.
3. Egyptian Architecture Saw a Great Eveloution During Ramses II’s Reign
Since his early rule of Egypt, he used to have a great passion for architecture. Moreover, this passion drove him to develop several structures, monuments, and temples. The monuments and temples he constructed and developed show his love for architecture.
So, that passion and smartness showed in two giant temples, the Ramesseum and Abu Simbel temples, which show the greatness and evolution of construction during Ramses II’s reign. He built them to make his people commemorate him and worship him during his life and after his death. In addition, these temples show a different construction style in terms of size, design, and complexity. The common thing between these two temples is the giant statue of Ramses himself.
The Ramesseum, Ramses’s mortuary temple, was built on the banks of the Nile River. It is dedicated to the gods of Amun and Ramses II himself. It was designed and constructed to glorify King Ramess and ensure his legacy among the next pharos and in his afterlife. The temple has a giant statue, colossal columns, and detailed reliefs depicting Ramses’ military victories. The reliefs include military victories like the Battle of Kadesh, but unfortunately, much of the relief is in ruins now. The Ramesseum remains a significant example of ancient Egyptian architecture and royal propaganda.
Abu Simbel is an ancient temple complex in southern Egypt, built by Pharaoh Ramses II in the 13th century BCE. It features two massive rock temples with colossal statues honoring Ramses II, the gods, and his queen, Nefertari. The complex was relocated in the 1960s to avoid flooding from the Aswan High Dam.
Ramses II built colossal statues of himself at Abu Simbel to commemorate his reign. He had celebrated about 14 Sed festivals—a jubilee marking 30 years in power, after which he was revered as an Egyptian god. He also established a new capital, Pi-Ramesses, which flourished under his rule with exceptional infrastructure. The city eventually lost its Glory, leading to its abandonment.
4. Ramses Ruled Egypt For 66 Years
Ramess declared prices when he was 14 and ascended to the throne at 25. Despite his young age, he ruled Egypt for 66 years but was not the longest-reigning pharaoh in ancient Egypt. However, his reign was one of the longest in ancient Egypt. He lived to be 90, likely suffering from arthritis and other ailments in his later years. When he died, his nearly 60-year-old 13th son, Merneptah, succeeded him.
5. Ramses Reign Wasn’t The Longest Regin in Ancient Egypt.
Ramess was declared a prince when he was only 14 years old. He ascended to the throne at 25 and ruled Egypt for 66 years. However, this is not the longest reign for a pharaoh to rule Egypt. The longest documented reign of any monarch is Phiops II (also known as Pepi II or Neferkare), a Sixth-Dynasty pharaoh of ancient Egypt. His reign began c. 2281 BCE, when he was six, and is believed to have lasted c. 94 years.
6. Nefertari Is His Beloved Queen
One of King Ramses II’s facts is that he married Queen Nefertari as a prince. The book says he married around 200 wives, but this number never let him forget about Queen Nefertari. Queen Nefertari ruled Egypt alongside Ramses as the royal wife. After she died, Ramses II built her a beautiful tomb, QV66, in the Valley of the Queens. This tomb is famous for its detailed carvings and paintings, making it one of the most admired tombs in ancient Egypt.
7. How Ramses Defeated The Sherden Sea Pirates in The Second Year of His Reign
Firstly, the Sherden were one of the commonly known “Sea Peoples,” which means people from the sea. They are a confederation of naval raiders who attacked and invaded various regions in the eastern Mediterranean during the late Bronze Age, around the 13th century BCE. Additionally, The origins of the Sherden, like many of the Sea Peoples, remain somewhat mysterious and are the subject of ongoing scholarly debate.
Who Were the Sherden?
The Sherden Sea Pirates are furious warriors known for their distinctive horned helmets and round shields. They were one of several groups that formed the Sea Peoples, recorded in ancient Egyptian texts as having attacked Egypt and other regions along the Mediterranean coast.
Where Did They Come From?
The exact origins of the Sherden are not definitively known, but several theories exist:
- Sardinia: One popular theory suggests that the Sherden may have originated from the island of Sardinia, based on similarities between the Sherden’s name and that of the island, as well as archaeological evidence linking Sardinia to the broader Sea Peoples’ culture.
- Western Anatolia or the Aegean: Another theory proposes that the Sherden may have come from western Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) regions or the Aegean Sea. This theory is based on linguistic connections and similarities in material culture.
- Libya: Some scholars, based on specific references in Egyptian texts, argue that the Sherden may have had origins in or connections to North Africa, particularly Libya.
Lastly, the Sherden sea pirates were a major threat to the ancient Egyptians. Their significant threat lies in the ancient Egyptian traders, who they caused to fear and disrupt business. Ramses decided to stop them, and with a well-thought-out plan and bravery, he defeated the pirates. This success made him more admired and popular among his advisors.
8. The First Ever Peace Trearty Ever Recorded in The History
Who Were the Hittites?
The Hittites were an ancient Anatolian people who established a mighty empire in what is now Turkey, particularly around their capital, Hattusa. Flourishing during the late Bronze Age (circa 1600–1178 BCE), they spoke an Indo-European language and became one of the dominant powers in the ancient Near East. Known for their military prowess, especially their use of chariots and iron weapons, the Hittites clashed with other great powers, including the Egyptians, most notably at the Battle of Kadesh. They also demonstrated skilled diplomacy by signing the world’s oldest recorded peace treaty with Pharaoh Ramses II. The Hittites had a complex legal system, a rich pantheon of gods, and a well-organized state. Their empire eventually declined around 1178 BCE due to internal strife and external pressures, including invasions by the Sea Peoples, marking the end of their influence in the region.
The First Treaty Ever Recorded
Pharaoh Ramses II, the third ruler of ancient Egypt, was one of the first leaders to sign a peace treaty long before the concept became popular in the 19th century. Following the inconclusive Battle of Kadesh, Ramses II and the Hittites agreed to a treaty, the oldest recorded peace treaty in the world. Although the exact terms are unclear, the treaty ensured that the Hittites respected Egyptian territory and upheld the agreement.
9. Ramses Had Many Children
We mentioned that Ramses had many wives but fathered many children. Additionally, Although historians cannot pinpoint a precise figure, they believe it to be close to 162 kids. Amun-her-khepeshef (Nefertari’s firstborn), Ramesses, Merneptah, Meritamen, Nebettawy, Khaemweset, and many others are just a few of the known children. In actuality, his third son, not his first, was his immediate successor.
10. King Ramses II Facts Ramses Was Mentioned in The Bible
One of King Ramses ii facts is that he was mentioned in the Bible. The Bible mentions that Moses asked a tremendous Egyptian pharaoh to set the Israelites free. Notably, many historians believed that this Pharaoh was Ramses. Additionally, the clue that suggests Pharaoh Ramses was mentioned in the Bible and is found in the Book of Exodus, which refers to the construction of the cities of Pithom and Raamses (or Rameses). These cities are described as being built by the Israelites during their time of slavery in Egypt. The name “Raamses” is linked to Pharaoh Ramses II, who ruled during the 13th century BCE and is often associated with the Exodus narrative.
11. The Mummy of Ramses II
After Ramses II died at 90, they first kept his mummy in the Valley of the Kings but later moved it to protect it from thieves. Now, his mummy is in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. One of King Ramses II’s facts is that studies show that Ramses had sharp features, red hair, and a muscular build. Some historians believe he was tall and muscular, as shown in the giant statues at Abu Simbel.
