Rameses II (1304–1213 BCE)

Rameses II (the Great) ruled Egypt at a time when the nation was at the height of its glory. Son of Seti I, Rameses II was the third Egyptian pharaoh of the 19th dynasty of the New Kingdom. He is one of the most famous pharaohs in history, noted for his building achievements, his major battle with the Hittites, and his connection with the biblical exodus. In addition, he was unusual in that, standing 5 feet 8 inches, he was about 5 inches taller than the average Egyptian, and he had red hair.

Rameses II has a unique connection with time in several ways. First, Rameses enjoyed an extraordinarily long life. He had the longest reign of any pharaoh, ruling more than 66 years, from 1279 to 1213 BCE and dying at 92 years old. He was born in 1304 BCE, and Seti I appointed him as coregent when Ramses was 14 years old. He came to the throne as sole ruler in his early 20s. Rameses had at least eight wives, all of whom held the title Great Royal Wife, including the famous Nefetari, two daughters of Hittite kings, and two of his own daughters, and he fathered more than 100 children.

Second, Rameses II is connected with time through the sheer quantity of buildings that remain of his reign some 3100 years later. Rameses tried to make a lasting name for himself through his unparalleled building program. No other pharaoh constructed as many temples, erected as many statues, or built as many royal cities as Rameses II. He built a large mortuary complex near Thebes known as the Ramesseum. This complex, measuring 300 by 195 meters, contained a great temple, several large courts, and a colossal statue of him that stands 17 meters high and weighs over 1,000 tons. In addition to completing his father's temples at Thebes and Abydos, he built or expanded temples in Karnak, Abu Simbel, Abydos, Luxor, and Thebes in Egypt and in at least five cities in Nubia. In these complexes are pictures and written descriptions glorifying Rameses and his deeds. They show a particular interest in his battles, especially accounts of the battle of Kadesh. He also expanded Pi-Rameses, a city in the Nile delta area, and made it his new capital. This extraordinary amount of building reflects a healthy economy and a wealthy nation.

Third, Rameses II tried to make his mark on Egyptian history by being a great warrior. Even before Rameses became pharaoh, Seti I made him the commander of the army and sent him to Nubia, where he put down a revolt and gained valuable experience. His famous battle, the Battle of Kadesh, occurred near the city of Kadesh in Syria. Here, he fought the Hittite empire, a group that posed the greatest threat of the time to Egyptian expansion. Seti I had taken Kadesh temporarily from the Hittites a few years earlier, but the city quickly returned to Hittite control.

[Page 1084]In the spring of 1274 BCE, Rameses II marched the largest professional army in ancient history, four divisions of chariots and infantry, into Syria toward Kadesh in hopes of dealing a final, crushing defeat to the Hittites. The Hittites sent out spies that gave Rameses false information, leading him to think that the Hittite army was hundreds of miles away when they really were hidden behind the city. Rameses, personally in command of the Amun division, separated his divisions. Then, he pushed his division forward and ahead of the other divisions. The Hittites sprang their ambush, routed two of Rameses's divisions, and nearly captured Rameses himself. The Egyptians were able to regroup and forced the Hittites to retreat temporarily. Both sides suffered heavy losses. The following day the two kingdoms fought another battle to a stalemate. Rameses had to return home without the decisive victory he wanted and with only a written truce. To cover over the lackluster events of the battle, Rameses had accounts of his great heroics in battle and his dubious victory written on temple walls throughout his kingdom.

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