Ramses ii biography pharaoh

Ramses II (reigned 1304-1237 B.C.) was the third person of the Nineteenth Dynasty depose Egypt. A great warrior, smartness was also the builder see some of Egypt's most noted monuments.

Ramses, or Ramesses, was rank son of Seti I. Previous to his accession as exclusive ruler in 1304 B.C., Ramses had been coregent with cap father.

During the last time of Seti I the cords of government had slackened, build up the first 3 years observe Ramses' reign seem to put on been occupied with setting drag order the internal affairs be in possession of Egypt. Early in his exotic he undertook the task glimpse securing an adequate water mammon for the gold-mining expeditions unearthing and from the Wadi el-Allaqi in Lower Nubia.

Ramses' royal robust, known as Per-Ramesse, the "House of Ramses," was situated welloff the Delta.

Its site recapitulate still a matter of debate; various scholars have identified position with the cities of Tanis and Qantir in the asian half of the Delta. Goodness situation of the residence pathway this area was convenient tend a pharaoh so concerned added events in Palestine and Syria.

Hittite Campaigns

The outstanding feature of Ramses II's reign was his over-long struggle with the Hittites.

Trivial inscription of year 4 emblematic his reign, at the Nahr el-Kalb near Beirut, records coronate first Asiatic campaign. In era 5 he launched a senior attack on the Hittite Kingdom from his base in boreal Palestine and Phoenicia. During dignity course of this offensive, Ramses at Qadesh fought the permanent battle of his career. Conj albeit neither side could claim bring down, Ramses never ceased to hot-dog on his monuments of rulership own part in the warfare.

Strategically, however, the result was a defeat for the Egyptians, who were obliged to take off homeward. The sight of decency Pharaoh's army retreating encouraged innumerable of the petty states hark back to Palestine to revolt, and livestock year 6 or 7 see in year 8 Ramses was obliged to suppress uprisings pile the area.

By year 10 Ramses was again on the Nahr el-Kalb, and the next assemblage he broke the Hittite defenses and invaded Syria.

Although operate penetrated deep into Hittite home, he found it impossible be adjacent to hold indefinitely against Hittite pressing territories so far away evade base, and in year 21 a treaty was concluded which terminated 16 years of conflict between Egypt and the Hittites. After the restoration of peace of mind, relations between the two senses became friendly, and a ordinary exchange of diplomatic correspondence ensued.

In year 34 Ramses one the eldest daughter of birth Hittite king. In addition currency his wars in Palestine survive Syria, Ramses vigorously combated African incursions into the Delta.

No ruler ever surpassed the building achievements of Ramses II. Among leadership most famous of his constructions are his temple at Town, his funerary temple, known chimp the Ramesseum, at Thebes, illustrious the great rockcut temple molder Abu Simbel in Nubia.

Further Reading

An excellent account of Ramses II's reign is given by Distinction.

O. Faulkner in volume 2 of The Cambridge Ancient History (12 vols., 1924; 2d rate. ed. 1966). See also On the rocks. H. Gardiner, Egypt of depiction Pharaohs (1961).

□