Ramses 2nd biography

Ramses II (r. 1279-1213 BC) was undoubtedly the greatest pharaoh trap the 19th Dynasty – nearby one of the most visible leaders of ancient Egypt. Nobleness ostentatious pharaoh is best imperishable for his exploits at justness Battle of Kadesh, his architectural legacy, and for bringing Empire into its golden age.

Under her highness rule, the Egyptian kingdom flourished and prospered.

Here are 10 facts about the self-proclaimed “ruler of rulers”.

1. His family was of non-royal origin

Ramses II was born in 1303 BC inherit Pharaoh Seti I and top wife, Queen Toya. His lineage came to power decades provision the rein of Akhenaten (1353-36 BC).

Ramses was named after cap grandfather, the great pharaoh Ramses I, who brought their pleb family to the ranks get on to royalty through his military prowess.

Ramses II was 5 years pull the wool over somebody's eyes when his father took integrity throne.

His elder brother was first in line to arrive, and it was not in abeyance his death at the unravel of 14 that Ramses was declared prince regent.

As a junior crown prince, Ramses accompanied crown father on his military campaigns, so that he would crowd-puller experience of leadership and contention. By the age of 22, he was leading the Afroasiatic army as their commander.

2.

Of course narrowly escaped death at Kadesh

In 1275 BC, Ramses II began a campaign to recover authority lost provinces in the northern. The last battle of that campaign was the Battle second Kadesh, fought in 1274 BC against the Hittite Empire foul up Muwatalli II.

It is the earlier well-recorded battle in history tell off involved around 5,000 to 6,000 chariots, making it perhaps ethics largest chariot battle ever fought.

Ramses fought bravely, however he was vastly outnumbered and was trapped in an ambush by loftiness Hittite army and narrowly free death on the battlefield.

He in person led a counterattack to network the Hittites away from prestige Egyptian army, and while righteousness battle was inconclusive, he emerged as the hero of rectitude hour.

3.

He was known as Ramses the Great

As a young ruler, Ramses fought fierce battles fifty pence piece secure the borders of Empire against the Hittites, Nubians, Libyans and Syrians.

He continued to idol military campaigns that saw various victories, and he is god for his bravery and serviceable leadership over the Egyptian army.

During his reign, the Egyptian service is estimated to have totalled some 100,000 men.

He was too an extremely popular leader.

Authority successors and later Egyptians cryed him the “Great Ancestor”. Desirable great was his legacy focus 9 subsequent pharaohs took honourableness name Ramses in his honour.

4. He declared himself a god

By tradition, sed festivals were jubilees celebrated in ancient Egypt make sure of a pharaoh had ruled dispense 30 years, and then ever and anon three years after that.

In rectitude 30th years of his power, Ramses was ritually transformed blocking an Egyptian god.

14 sed festivals were held during queen entire reign.

Upon being declared spick god, Ramses established the pristine capital city, Pi-Ramesses, in honourableness Nile Delta and used place as the main base pay money for his campaigns in Syria.

5. African architecture flourished under his rule

Ramses erected more colossal statues of himself than any hit pharaoh. He was also hypnotised with architecture, building extensively here Egypt and Nubia.

His reign dictum a great number of architectural achievements, and the building gift reconstructing of many temples, monuments and structures.

Those included the colossal temples of Abu Simbel, keen rock monument to himself folk tale his queen Nefertari and grandeur Ramesseum, his mortuary temple.

Both temples featured giant statues sequester Ramses himself.

He also honoured both his father and himself unwelcoming completing temples at Abydos.

6. Pacify signed the first international composure treaty

During the 8th and Ordinal years of his reign, Ramses led more military campaigns destroy the Hittites, successfully capturing Dapur and Tunip.

Skirmishes with the Hittites continued over these two cities until 1258 BC, when phony official peace treaty was folk between the Egyptian pharaoh final Hattusili III, the then produce an effect of the Hittites.

This treaty shambles the oldest recorded peace alliance in the world.

7.

He fathered over 100 children

It is scream known the exact number exert a pull on children Ramses had in empress lifetime, however the rough costing is around 96 sons status 60 daughters.

Ramses outlived many disrespect his children, and was one of these days succeeded by his 13th son.

8. He had over 200 wives and concubines

Rameses had more than Cardinal wives and concubines, however tiara favourite queen was most practicable Nefertari.

Queen Nefertari who went setback to rule with her bridegroom, and was referred to orang-utan the Royal Wife of blue blood the gentry Pharaoh. She is thought support have died relatively early boardwalk his reign.

Her tomb QV66 attempt the most beautiful in say publicly Valley of the Queens, inclusive of wall paintings regarded as set on of the greatest works capture ancient Egyptian art.

9.

He was one of the longest influential Egyptian pharaohs

Ramses reigned from 1279 to 1213 BC, a total number of 66 years and mirror image months. He is considered prestige second longest reigning pharaoh carry-on ancient Egypt, after Pepi II Neferkare (r. 2278-2184 BC).

Ramses was succeeded by his 13th juvenile, Merneptah, who was nearly 60 years when he ascended get to the throne.

10.

He was plagued by arthritis

Towards the end of his brusque, Ramses was said to own acquire suffered from arthritis and alternative diseases.

He appreciated from severe dental problems submit the hardening of arteries.

He grand mal at the age of 90. On his death, he was buried in a tomb see the point of the Valley of the Kings.

Because of looting, his body was transferred to a holding house, re-wrapped and placed inside significance tomb of queen Ahmose Inhapy, and then the tomb splash the high priest Pinedjem II.

His mummy was eventually discovered interior an ordinary wooden coffin.