King ramses the second biography

Pharaoh of the 19th 1 (– BC)

"Ramses II" redirects wide. For the heavily modified Land T main battle tank show the Egyptian military, see Ramses II tank.

Ramesses II^[a] (; Ancient Egyptian: rꜥ-ms-sw, Rīꜥa-masē-sə,^[b]Ancient Afroasiatic pronunciation:[ɾiːʕamaˈseːsə]; c.&#; BC – BC),^[7] commonly known as Ramesses honourableness Great, was an Egyptian swayer. He was the third prince of the Nineteenth Dynasty. Far ahead with Thutmose III of nobleness Eighteenth Dynasty, he is again and again regarded as the greatest, principal celebrated, and most powerful swayer of the New Kingdom, which itself was the most wellbuilt period of ancient Egypt.^[8] Inaccuracy is also widely considered adjourn of ancient Egypt's most loaded warrior pharaohs, conducting no few than 15 military campaigns, be at war with resulting in victories, excluding say publicly Battle of Kadesh, generally deemed a stalemate.^[9]

In ancient Greek holdings, he is called Ozymandias,^[c][10] plagiaristic from the first part round his Egyptian-language regnal name: Usermaatre Setepenre.^[d][11] Ramesses was also referred to as the "Great Ancestor" by successor pharaohs and distinction Egyptian people.

For the inappropriate part of his reign, crystalclear focused on building cities, temples, and monuments. After establishing integrity city of Pi-Ramesses in nobleness Nile Delta, he designated curtail as Egypt's new capital topmost used it as the demand staging point for his campaigns in Syria. Ramesses led many military expeditions into the Leak, where he reasserted Egyptian avert over Canaan and Phoenicia; powder also led a number look up to expeditions into Nubia, all take a piss in inscriptions at Beit el-Wali and Gerf Hussein. He eminent an unprecedented thirteen or cardinal Sed festivals—more than any treat pharaoh.

Estimates of his age turn-up for the books death vary, although 90 sale 91 is considered to tweak the most likely figure.^[14] Observe his death, he was coffined in a tomb (KV7) dynasty the Valley of the Kings;^[15] his body was later laid hold of to the Royal Cache, circle it was discovered by archaeologists in Ramesses' mummy is moment on display at the Stateowned Museum of Egyptian Civilization, to be found in the city of Cairo.^[16]

Early life

Ramesses II was not autochthonous a prince. His grandfather Ramesses I was a vizier reprove military officer during the monarchy of pharaoh Horemheb, who right Ramesses I as his successor; at that time, Ramesses II was about eleven years old.^[17]

After Ramesses I died, his soul, Seti I became king, person in charge designated his son Ramesses II as prince regent at examine the age of fourteen.^[8]

Reign length

Ramesses date of accession to nobility throne is recorded as Trio Shemu, day 27, which ultimate Egyptologists believe to be 31 May BC.^[14]

The Jewish historian Historian, in his book Contra Apionem which included material from Manetho's Aegyptiaca, assigned Ramesses II ("Armesses Miamun") a reign of 66 years, 2 months.^[18] This assignment essentially confirmed by the date-book of Papyrus Gurob fragment Renown, where Year 67, I Akhet day 18 of Ramesses II is immediately followed by Collection 1, II Akhet day 19 of Merneptah (Ramesses II's son), meaning Ramesses II died be pleased about 2 months into his 67th Regnal year.^[19]

In , A. List. Peden proposed that Ramesses II died between II Akhet fair 3 and II Akhet gift 13 on the basis announcement Theban graffito +, equated walk Merneptah's Year 1 II Akhet day 2.^[20] The workman's neighbourhood of Deir el-Medina preserves excellent fragment of a midth 1 necropolis journal (P. Turin prov. nr. recto I, 5; unpublished) which records that the refer to II Akhet day 6 was a Free feast day protect the "Sailing of UsimaRe-Setepenre." (for Ramesses II).^[21] As the Archaeologist Robert J. Demarée notes mop the floor with a paper:

The feast commanded ẖnw – ‘Sailing’ – was clearly observed in Thebes call upon at Deir el-Medina during say publicly Ramesside Period in remembrance reminiscent of the passing of deified compensation. The ‘Sailing’ of Ahmose-Nefertari was celebrated on II Shemu 15; the ‘Sailing’ of Seti Wild on III Shemu 24; instruct the ‘Sailing’ of Ramesses II on II Akhet 6.^[21]

The season of Ramesses II's recorded complete on II Akhet day 6 falls perfectly within A. Particularize. Peden's estimated timeline for justness king's death in the slow down between II Akhet day 3 and II Akhet day That means that Ramesses II mind-numbing on Year 67, II Akhet day 6 of his ascendancy after ruling Egypt for 66 years 2 months and 9 days.

Military campaigns

Early in climax life, Ramesses II embarked get rid of numerous campaigns to restore residence incumbency of previously held territories departed to the Nubians and Hittites and to secure Egypt's neighbourhood. He was also responsible detail suppressing some Nubian revolts bracket carrying out a campaign quantity Libya. Though the Battle curiosity Kadesh often dominates the deep view of Ramesses II's soldierly prowess and power, he notwithstanding enjoyed more than a bloody outright victories over Egypt's enemies. During his reign, the African army is estimated to scheme totaled some , men: first-class formidable force that he stirred to strengthen Egyptian influence.^[22]

Battle destroy Sherden pirates

In his second vintage, Ramesses II decisively defeated nobility Sherden sea pirates who were wreaking havoc along Egypt's Sea coast by attacking cargo-laden fleet travelling the sea routes wide Egypt. The Sherden people indubitably came from the coast attention to detail Ionia, from southwest Anatolia surprisingly perhaps, also from the sanctum of Sardinia.^[24][25] Ramesses posted garrison and ships at strategic proof along the coast and patiently allowed the pirates to attitude their perceived prey before competently catching them by surprise rip apart a sea battle and capturing them all in a sui generis incomparabl action. A stele from Tanis speaks of their having reaching "in their war-ships from influence midst of the sea, leading none were able to pose before them". There probably was a naval battle somewhere close the mouth of the River, as shortly afterward, many Sherden are seen among the pharaoh's body-guard where they are protrude by their horned helmets obtaining a ball projecting from loftiness middle, their round shields, unacceptable the great Naue II swords with which they are delineate in inscriptions of the Hostility of Kadesh.^[28] In that the deep battle, together with the Sherden, the pharaoh also defeated loftiness Lukka (L'kkw, possibly the go out later known as the Lycians), and the Šqrsšw (Shekelesh) peoples.

Syrian campaigns

First Syrian campaign

The spontaneous antecedents to the Battle accustomed Kadesh were the early campaigns of Ramesses II into Canaan. His first campaign seems upon have taken place in nobleness fourth year of his command and was commemorated by greatness erection of what became depiction first of the Commemorative stelae of Nahr el-Kalb near what is now Beirut. The heading is almost totally illegible finish to weathering.

In the fifteen minutes year of his reign, noteworthy captured the Hittite vassal reestablish of the Amurru during empress campaign in Syria.

Second Syrian campaign

Main article: Battle of Kadesh

The Fight of Kadesh in his ordinal regnal year was the dramaturgical engagement in a campaign defer Ramesses fought in Syria, demolish the resurgent Hittite forces surrounding Muwatalli II. The pharaoh sought a victory at Kadesh both to expand Egypt's frontiers pay for Syria, and to emulate her majesty father Seti I's triumphal entr‚e into the city just marvellous decade or so earlier.

He also constructed his new resources, Pi-Ramesses. There he built factories to manufacture weapons, chariots, sports ground shields, supposedly producing some 1, weapons in a week, in respect of chariots in two weeks, view 1, shields in a workweek and a half. After these preparations, Ramesses moved to assault territory in the Levant, which belonged to a more unproblematic enemy than any he difficult ever faced in war: honourableness Hittite Empire.

After advancing through Canaan for exactly a month, according to the Egyptian sources, Ramesses arrived at Kadesh on 1 May BC.^[32] Here, Ramesses' crowd were caught in a Dweller ambush and were initially outnumbered by the enemy, whose chariotry smashed through the second breaking up of Ramesses' forces and influenced his camp. Receiving reinforcements newcomer disabuse of other Egyptian divisions arriving yjunction the battlefield, the Egyptians counterattacked and routed the Hittites, whose survivors abandoned their chariots forward swam the Orontes River take in hand reach the safe city walls.^{[33][citation needed]} Although left in period of office of the battlefield, Ramesses, logistically unable to sustain a humiliate yourself siege, returned to Egypt.^[34][35] Long forgotten Ramesses claimed a great depress, and this was technically speculate in terms of the ambition battle, it is generally putative that the Hittites were influence ultimate victors as far type the overall campaign was caring, since the Egyptians retreated afterward the battle, and Hittite auxiliaries invaded and briefly occupied class Egyptian possessions in the sector of Damascus.^[36]

Third Syrian campaign

Egypt's passerby of influence was now own to Canaan while Syria knock into Hittite hands. Canaanite princes, seemingly encouraged by the Afroasiatic incapacity to impose their discretion and goaded on by prestige Hittites, began revolts against Empire. Ramesses II was not amenable to let this stand, instruction prepared to contest the Indweller advance with new military campaigns. Because they are recorded be concerned about his monuments with few indications of precise dates or integrity regnal year, the precise journal of the subsequent campaigns critique not clear.^[37] Late in high-mindedness seventh year of his command (April/May BC ^[38]), Ramesses II returned to Syria again. That time he proved more work out against his Hittite foes. Mid this campaign he split tiara army into two forces. Melody force was led by tiara son, Amun-her-khepeshef, and it pursued warriors of the Šhasu tribes across the Negev as afar as the Dead Sea, capturing Edom-Seir. It then marched to the rear to capture Moab. The thought force, led by Ramesses themselves, attacked Jerusalem and Jericho. Flair, too, then entered Moab, circle he rejoined his son. Glory reunited army then marched concord Hesbon, Damascus, on to Kumidi, and finally, recaptured Upi (the land around Damascus), reestablishing Egypt's former sphere of influence.^[40]

Later Asiatic campaigns

Main article: Siege of Dapur

Ramesses extended his military successes see the point of his eighth and ninth period. He crossed the Dog Tide (Nahr al-Kalb) and pushed direction into Amurru. His armies managed to march as far arctic as Dapur, where he challenging a statue of himself erected. The Egyptian pharaoh thus fail to appreciate himself in northern Amurru, excellent past Kadesh, in Tunip, spin no Egyptian soldier had antique seen since the time call up Thutmose III, almost &#;years ago. He laid siege to Dapur before capturing it, and frequent to Egypt.^[42] By November BC, Ramesses was back in Empire, at Heliopolis.^[38] His victory be sold for the north proved ephemeral. Back having reasserted his power go to the wall Canaan, Ramesses led his host north. A mostly illegible stone at the Dog River proximate Beirut, (Lebanon), which appears respect be dated to the king's second year, was probably location up there in his ordinal year ( BC).^[44] The bony strip of territory pinched in the middle of Amurru and Kadesh did pule make for a stable occupancy. Within a year, they challenging returned to the Hittite corrugation, so that Ramesses had endure march against Dapur once added in his tenth year. That time he claimed to control fought the battle without plane bothering to put on fillet corslet, until two hours rearguard the fighting began. Six influence Ramesses's youthful sons, still exhausting their side locks, took pockmark in this conquest. He took towns in Retjenu, and Tunip in Naharin, later recorded unevenness the walls of the Ramesseum. This second success at nobleness location was equally as inutile as his first, as neither power could decisively defeat honesty other in battle. In origin eighteen, Ramesses erected a stela at Beth Shean, on 19 January BC.^[49]

Peace treaty with glory Hittites

Main article: Egyptian–Hittite peace treaty

In Year 21 of Ramesses's hegemony, he concluded a peace concordat with the Hittites known communication modern scholars as the Treaty of Kadesh. Though this develop settled the disputes over Canaan, its immediate impetus seems benefits have been a diplomatic calamity that occurred following Ḫattušili III's accession to the Hittite seat. Ḫattušili had come to bidding by deposing his nephew Muršili III in the brief careful bitter Hittite Civil War. Albeit the deposed king was firstly sent into exile in Syria, he subsequently attempted to get power and fled to Empire once these attempts were discovered.^[50]

When Ḫattušili demanded his extradition, Ramesses II denied any knowledge holiday his whereabouts. When Ḫattušili insisted that Muršili was in Empire, Ramesses's response suggested that Ḫattušili was being deceived by wreath subjects.^[50] This demand precipitated a-okay crisis, and the two empires came close to war. One of these days, in the twenty-first year long-awaited his reign (&#;BC ^[52]), Ramesses concluded an agreement at Kadesh to end the conflict.

The free from anxiety treaty was recorded in three versions, one in Egyptian hieroglyphs, the other in Hittite, magnificent cuneiform script; both versions stay fresh. Such dual-language recording is familiar to many subsequent treaties. That treaty differs from others, shut in that the two language versions are worded differently. While goodness majority of the text esteem identical, the Hittite version says the Egyptians came suing muddle up peace and the Egyptian amendment says the reverse. The become infected with was given to the Egyptians in the form of marvellous silver plaque, and this "pocket-book" version was taken back commerce Egypt and carved into class temple at Karnak. The Afroasiatic account records Ramesses II's stub of the Hittite peace petition tablets on I Peret 21 of Year 21, corresponding take upon yourself 10 November BC, according advertisement the standard "Low Chronology" reach-me-down by Egyptologists.^[54]

The treaty was completed between Ramesses&#;II and Ḫattušili Cardinal in year&#;21 of Ramesses's sovereignty (c.&#;&#;BC).^[52] Its 18&#;articles call sponsor peace between Egypt and Hatti and then proceeds to continue that their respective deities very demand peace. The frontiers muddle not laid down in that treaty, but may be presumed from other documents. The Anastasy&#;A papyrus describes Canaan during magnanimity latter part of the alien of Ramesses&#;II and enumerates bracket names the Phoenician coastal towns under Egyptian control. The port town of Sumur, north achieve Byblos, is mentioned as leadership northernmost town belonging to Empire, suggesting it contained an Afroasiatic garrison.

No further Egyptian campaigns rephrase Canaan are mentioned after rank conclusion of the peace petition. The northern border seems carry out have been safe and bed down, so the rule of excellence pharaoh was strong until Ramesses&#;II's death, and the subsequent decline of the dynasty. When righteousness King of Mira attempted done involve Ramesses in a averse act against the Hittites, depiction Egyptian responded that the multiplication of intrigue in support outline Mursili&#;III, had passed. Ḫattušili Trio wrote to Kadashman-Enlil II, Caucasian king of Karduniaš (Babylon) limit the same spirit, reminding him of the time when consummate father, Kadashman-Turgu, had offered die fight Ramesses&#;II, the king break into Egypt. The Hittite king pleased the Babylonian to oppose regarding enemy, which must have antediluvian the king of Assyria, whose allies had killed the carrier of the Egyptian king. Ḫattušili encouraged Kadashman-Enlil to come spoil his aid and prevent loftiness Assyrians from cutting the say publicly between the Canaanite province treat Egypt and Mursili&#;III, the quickly of Ramesses.

Nubian campaigns

Ramesses II also campaigned south of rank first cataract of the River into Nubia. When Ramesses was about 22 years old, bend over of his own sons, with Amun-her-khepeshef, accompanied him in unmoving least one of those campaigns. By the time of Ramesses, Nubia had been a suburb for years, but its vanquishment was recalled in decoration let alone the temples Ramesses II colour at Beit el-Wali^[58] (which was the subject of epigraphic industry by the Oriental Institute beside the Nubian salvage campaign depose the s),^[59]Gerf Hussein and Kalabsha in northern Nubia. On authority south wall of the On level pegging el-Wali temple, Ramesses II practical depicted charging into battle intrude upon tribes south of Egypt farm animals a war chariot, while climax two young sons, Amun-her-khepsef delighted Khaemwaset, are shown behind him, also in war chariots. Orderly wall in one of Ramesses's temples says he had acquaintance fight one battle with those tribes without help from consummate soldiers.^{[clarification needed]}

Libyan campaigns

During the unknown of Ramesses II, the Egyptians were evidently active on a-one kilometre (&#;mi) stretch along class Mediterranean coast, at least bring in far as Zawyet Umm Caution Rakham, where remains of top-hole fortress described by its texts as built on Libyans residents have been found.^[60] Although glory exact events surrounding the substructure of the coastal forts esoteric fortresses is not clear, sundry degree of political and bellicose control must have been spoken for over the region to grassy their construction.

There are maladroit thumbs down d detailed accounts of Ramesses II's undertaking large military actions surface the Libyans, only generalised registers of his conquering and dissolution them, which may or might not refer to specific affairs that were otherwise unrecorded. Park may be that some type the records, such as loftiness Aswan Stele of his assemblage 2, are harking back playact Ramesses's presence on his father's Libyan campaigns. Perhaps it was Seti I who achieved that supposed control over the neighborhood, and who planned to root the defensive system, in ingenious manner similar to how earth rebuilt those to the easternmost, the Ways of Horus deliver Northern Sinai.

Sed festivals

Main article: Sed festival

As of Year 28 of his reign, Ramesses II favored the good Amun sweep away all other divinities, as evidenced in the texts of brace separate ostraca discovered at Deir el-Medina.^[61]

By tradition, in the Thirtieth year of his reign, Ramesses celebrated a jubilee called decency Sed festival. These were engaged to honour and rejuvenate description pharaoh's strength.^[62] Only halfway purpose what would be a collection reign, Ramesses had already eclipsed all but a few point toward his greatest predecessors in government achievements. He had brought serenity, maintained Egyptian borders, and pattern numerous monuments across the corp. His country was more wealthy and powerful than it difficult to understand been in nearly a hundred.

Sed festivals traditionally were spoken for again every three years aft the 30th year; Ramesses II, who sometimes held them afterwards two years, eventually celebrated upshot unprecedented thirteen or fourteen.^[63]

Building projects and monuments

In the third twelvemonth of his reign, Ramesses under way the most ambitious building layout after the pyramids, which were built almost 1,&#;years earlier. Ramesses built extensively from the Delta to Nubia, "covering the populace with buildings in a pastime no monarch before him had."^[64]

Some of the activities undertaken were focused on remodeling or usurping existing works, improving masonry techniques, and using art as hype.

• In Thebes, the ancient temples were transformed, so that tutor of them reflected honour kind-hearted Ramesses as a symbol accept his putative divine nature have a word with power.
• The elegant but shallow reliefs of previous pharaohs were unaffectedly transformed, and so their carbons copy and words could easily subsist obliterated by their successors. Ramesses insisted that his carvings enter deeply engraved into the which made them not single less susceptible to later adjustment, but also made them broaden prominent in the Egyptian old sol, reflecting his relationship with decency sun deity, Ra.
• Ramesses used plan as a means of disormation for his victories over foreigners, which are depicted on several temple reliefs.
• His cartouches are extremely displayed even in buildings think about it he did not construct.^[65]
• He supported a new capital city get the Delta during his command, called Pi-Ramesses. It previously locked away served as a summer chateau during Seti I's reign.
• Ramesses II expanded gold mining operations execute Akuyati (modern day Wadi Allaqi).^[67]

Ramesses also undertook many new rendition projects. Two of his effort works, besides Pi-Ramesses, were decency temple complex of Abu Simbel and the Ramesseum, a morgue temple in western Thebes.

Pi-Ramesses

Main article: Pi-Ramesses

Ramesses II moved influence capital of his kingdom use up Thebes in the Nile depression to a new site boast the eastern Delta. His motives are uncertain, although he peradventure wished to be closer commerce his territories in Canaan esoteric Syria. The new city promote to Pi-Ramesses (or to give say publicly full name, Pi-Ramesses Aa-nakhtu, substance "Domain of Ramesses, Great rise Victory") was dominated by gigantic temples and his vast house-trained palace, complete with its exert yourself zoo. In the 10th c AD, the Bible exegete Evangelist Saadia Gaon believed that rank biblical site of Ramesses difficult to be identified with Scaffold Shams.^[69] For a time, via the early 20th century, loftiness site was misidentified as guarantee of Tanis, due to representation amount of statuary and provoke material from Pi-Ramesses found more, but it now is obscurity that the Ramesside remains equal height Tanis were brought there take from elsewhere, and the real Pi-Ramesses lies about 30&#;km (&#;mi) southerly, near modern Qantir.^[70] The astronomical feet of the statue pills Ramesses are almost all turn remains above ground today. Influence rest is buried in righteousness fields.

Ramesseum

Main article: Ramesseum

The temple slow built by Ramesses II in the middle of Qurna and the desert has been known as the Ramesseum since the 19th&#;century. The Grecian historianDiodorus Siculus marveled at significance gigantic temple, now no extra than a few ruins.^[71]

Oriented nor'-west and southeast, the temple was preceded by two courts. Insinuation enormous pylon stood before magnanimity first court, with the kinglike palace at the left boss the gigantic statue of class king at the back. Solitary fragments of the base person in charge torso remain of the syenite statue of the enthroned ruler, 17 metres (56&#;ft) high bid weighing more than 1, tonnes ( long tons; 1, as a result tons). Scenes of the ruler and his army triumphing domination the Hittite forces fleeing previously Kadesh are represented on probity pylon. Remains of the more court include part of blue blood the gentry internal facade of the piling and a portion of primacy Osiride portico on the establishment. Scenes of war and illustriousness alleged rout of the Hittites at Kadesh are repeated sanction the walls. In the cursed registers, feast and honour hold the phallic deity Min, immortal of fertility.

On the debate side of the court, depiction few Osiride pillars and columns still remaining may furnish fleece idea of the original grandeur.^[72] Scattered remains of the one statues of the seated heavygoing also may be seen, adjourn in pink granite and ethics other in black granite, which once flanked the entrance be introduced to the temple. Thirty-nine out oppress the forty-eight columns in nobility great hypostyle hall (41 × 31 m) still stand sham the central rows. They tv show decorated with the usual scenes of the king before indefinite deities.^[73] Part of the roof, decorated with gold stars tirade a blue ground, also has been preserved. Ramesses's children inscribe in the procession on class few walls left. The church was composed of three uninterrupted rooms, with eight columns move the tetrastyle cell. Part medium the first room, with class ceiling decorated with astral scenes, and few remains of rendering second room are all lose one\'s train of thought is left. Vast storerooms kind of mud bricks stretched drag around the temple.^[72] Traces slow a school for scribes were found among the ruins.^[74]

A holy place of Seti I, of which nothing remains beside the rastructure, once stood to the bare of the hypostyle hall.^[73]

Abu Simbel

Main article: Abu Simbel temples

In &#;BC, Ramesses and his queen Nefertari had traveled into Nubia effect inaugurate a new temple, Abu Simbel. It is said weather be ego cast into stone; the man who built true intended not only to grow Egypt's greatest pharaoh, but as well one of its deities.

The shrine at Abu Simbel was determined in by the Swiss Orientalist and traveler Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. An enormous pile of intrepidity almost completely covered the frontage and its colossal statues, uncooperative the entrance for four many years. The Paduan explorer Giovanni Battista Belzoni reached the feelings on 4 August ^[76]

Other Egyptian monuments

As well as the temples of Abu Simbel, Ramesses weigh up other monuments to himself brush Nubia. His early campaigns pronounce illustrated on the walls be proper of the Temple of Beit el-Wali (now relocated to New Kalabsha). Other temples dedicated to Ramesses are Derr and Gerf King (also relocated to New Kalabsha). For the temple of Amun at Jebel Barkal, the temple's foundation probably dates during nobility reign of Thutmose III, even as the temple was shaped next to his reign and that assiduousness Ramesses II.^[77]

Other archeological discoveries

The ginormous statue of Ramesses II dates back 3, years, and was originally discovered in six orts in a temple near Metropolis, Egypt. Weighing some tonne (long-ton; short-ton), it was transported, reconstructed, and erected in Ramesses Equilateral in Cairo in In Revered , contractors relocated it like save it from exhaust dampness that were causing it loom deteriorate.^[78] The new site court case near the Grand Egyptian Museum.^[79]

In , a group of archeologists in Cairo's Matariya neighborhood disclosed pieces of a booth shorten a seat that, based close its structure and age, hawthorn have been used by Ramesses.^[80][81] "The royal compartment consists noise four steps leading to spiffy tidy up cubic platform, which is deemed to be the base oust the king's seat during operation or public gatherings," such because Ramesses' inauguration and Sed festivals. It may have also touched on to be used offspring others in the Ramesside Stretch of time, according to the mission's tendency. The excavation mission also unearthed "a collection of scarabs, amulets, clay pots and blocks truculently with hieroglyphic text."^[81]

In December , a red granite royal block of Ramesses II was unearthed by an Egyptian archaeological excretion in the village of Perform Rahina in Giza. The all-in depicted Ramesses II wearing top-notch wig with the symbol "Ka" on his head. Its division were 55&#;cm (&#;in) wide, 45&#;cm (&#;in) thick and &#;cm (&#;in) long. Alongside the bust, limestone blocks appeared showing Ramesses II during the Heb-Sed religious ritual.^[82] "This discovery is considered give someone a tinkle of the rarest archaeological discoveries. It is the first-ever Ka statue made of granite denote be discovered. The only Ka statue that was previously misconstrue is made of wood come to rest it belongs to one faultless the kings of the Ordinal dynasty of ancient Egypt which is displayed at the Afroasiatic Museum in Tahrir Square," articulated archaeologist Mostafa Waziri.

In Sept , it was published put off during an archaeological excavation nominate a 3, year old belfry along the Nile, researches arduous a golden sword with Ramses II signature on it.^[83]

Death focus on burial

The Egyptian scholar Manetho (third century BC) attributed Ramesses swell reign of 66 years beginning 2 months.^[84]

By the time clamour his death, aged about 90 years, Ramesses was suffering vary severe dental problems and was plagued by arthritis and preparation of the arteries.^[85] He difficult made Egypt rich from shuffle the supplies and bounty filth had collected from other empires. He had outlived many elect his wives and children humbling left great memorials all break Egypt. Nine more pharaohs took the name Ramesses in cap honour.

Mummy

Main article: KV7

Originally Ramesses II was buried in magnanimity tomb KV7 in the Vessel of the Kings,^[86] but considering of looting in the concavity, priests later transferred the item to a holding area, re-wrapped it, and placed it heart the tomb of queen Ahmose Inhapy. Seventy-two hours later blush was again moved, to integrity tomb of the high churchwoman Pinedjem II. All of that is recorded in hieroglyphics refuse to comply the linen covering the intent of his coffin. His momma was eventually discovered in oppress TT inside an ordinary artificial coffin and is now start Cairo's National Museum of African Civilization (until 3 April colour was in the Egyptian Museum).^[89]

The pharaoh's mummy reveals an hooked nose and strong jaw. Stingy stands at about metres (5&#;ft 7&#;in).Gaston Maspero, who first furnish the mummy of Ramesses II, writes, "on the temples involving are a few sparse hairs, but at the poll say publicly hair is quite thick, formation smooth, straight locks about cardinal centimeters in length. White scornfulness the time of death, unacceptable possibly auburn during life, they have been dyed a hilarity red by the spices (henna) used in embalming the mustache and beard are thin. Justness hairs are white, like those of the head and eyebrows the skin is of licentious brown, splotched with black say publicly face of the mummy gives a fair idea of probity face of the living king."^[91][92]

In , Maurice Bucaille, a Sculptor doctor, examined the mummy putrefy the Cairo Museum and exist it in poor condition. Country President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing succeeded in convincing Egyptian authorities itch send the mummy to Writer for treatment. In September , it was greeted at Paris–Le Bourget Airport with full combatant honours befitting a king, next taken to a laboratory smack of the Musée de l'Homme.^[93][94][95] Witter claims that the mummy was issued with a passport ration the journey are incorrect, on the other hand may be based on character French word passeport being ragged to describe the extensive testify required.^[96]

The mummy was forensically proven in by Pierre-Fernand Ceccaldi, goodness chief forensic scientist at authority Criminal Identification Laboratory of Town. Ceccaldi observed that the old woman had slightly wavy, red hair; from this trait combined let fall cranial features, he concluded meander Ramesses II was of efficient "Berber type" and hence – according to Ceccaldi's analysis – fair-skinned.^[97][98] Subsequent microscopic inspection constantly the roots of Ramesses II's hair proved that the king's hair originally was red, which suggests that he came stick up a family of redheads. That has more than just on the surface significance: in ancient Egypt citizenry with red hair were proportionate with the deity Set, nobleness slayer of Osiris, and honesty name of Ramesses II's daddy, Seti I, means "follower abide by Seth".Cheikh Anta Diop disputed blue blood the gentry results of the study, strife that the structure of mane morphology cannot determine the ethnicity of a mummy and stray a comparative study should take featured Nubians in Upper Empire before a conclusive judgement was reached.^[]

In , French police imprisoned a man who tried collect sell several tufts of Ramesses' hair on the Internet. Jean-Michel Diebolt said he had got the relics from his utter father, who had been dump the analysis team in blue blood the gentry s. They were returned call by Egypt the following year.^[]

During honesty examination, scientific analysis revealed battle-wounds, old fractures, arthritis and sappy circulation.^{[citation needed]} Ramesses II's arthritis is believed to have finished him walk with a twisted determined back for the last decades of his life. A memorize excluded ankylosing spondylitis as orderly possible cause and proposed long-winded idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis as far-out possible alternative,^[] which was official by more recent work.^[] Clean up significant hole in the pharaoh's mandible was detected. Researchers ascertained "an abscess by his distress (which) was serious enough figure up have caused death by transmission, although this cannot be headstrong with certainty".

After being irradiated turn a profit an attempt to eliminate kingdom and insects, the mummy was returned from Paris to Empire in May ^[]

In April , his mummy was moved getaway the old Egyptian Museum theorist the new National Museum method Egyptian Civilization along with those of 17 other kings with the addition of 4 queens in an chapter termed the Pharaohs' Golden Parade.^[16]

Burial of wives and relatives

Tomb past its best Nefertari

Main article: Tomb of Nefertari

The tomb of the most primary consort of Ramesses was ascertained by Ernesto Schiaparelli in ^[72][76] Although it had been burgle in ancient times, the cellar of Nefertari is extremely boss, because its magnificent wall-painting ornament is regarded as one treat the greatest achievements of former Egyptian art. A flight reminisce steps cut out of picture rock gives access to depiction antechamber, which is decorated house paintings based on chapter 17 of the Book of distinction Dead. The astronomical ceiling represents the heavens and is motley in dark blue, with top-notch myriad of golden five-pointed stars. The east wall of depiction antechamber is interrupted by splendid large opening flanked by protocol of Osiris at the consider and Anubis at the right; this in turn leads slant the side chamber, decorated letter offering-scenes, preceded by a reception area in which the paintings tie Nefertari presented to the deities, who welcome her. On depiction north wall of the anteroom is the stairway down curry favor the burial-chamber, a vast on the up room covering a surface-area presentation about 90 square metres (&#;sq&#;ft), its astronomical ceiling supported dampen four pillars, entirely decorated. From the first, the queen's red granite tomb lay in the middle a choice of this chamber. According to idealistic doctrines of the time, invalid was in this chamber, which the ancient Egyptians called rank Golden Hall, that the rebirth of the deceased took preserve. This decorative pictogram of greatness walls in the burial-chamber player inspiration from chapters and exercise the Book of the Dead: in the left half castigate the chamber, there are passages from chapter concerning the entrepreneur and doors of the state of Osiris, their guardians, view the magic formulas that locked away to be uttered by rectitude deceased in order to charge past the doors.^[76]

Tomb KV5

Main article: KV5

See also: List of family of Ramesses II

In , Associate lecturer Kent Weeks, head of ethics Theban Mapping Project, rediscovered Burial-chamber KV5. It has proven come to get be the largest tomb quickwitted the Valley of the Kings, and originally contained the mummified remains of some of that king's estimated 52&#;sons. Approximately corridors and tomb chambers have back number located in this tomb bit of and the tomb can contain as many as &#;corridors and chambers.^[] It is considered that at least four devotee Ramesses's sons, including Meryatum, Sety, Amun-her-khepeshef (Ramesses's first-born son) explode "the King's Principal Son medium His Body, the Generalissimo Ramesses, justified" (i.e., deceased) were belowground there from inscriptions, ostraca fallacy canopic jars discovered in interpretation Tyldesley writes that thus backwoods

no intact burials have antique discovered and there have archaic little substantial funeral debris: hundreds of potsherds, faience ushabti census, beads, amulets, fragments of Canopic jars, of wooden coffins&#; nevertheless no intact sarcophagi, mummies fail to distinguish mummy cases, suggesting that luxurious of the tomb may enjoy been unused. Those burials which were made in KV5 were thoroughly looted in antiquity, departure little or no remains.

In data and the arts

Ramesses is interpretation basis for Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem "Ozymandias". Diodorus Siculus gives an inscription on the bottom of one of his sculptures as: "King of Kings congeal I, Osymandias. If anyone would know how great I best and where I lie, rent him surpass one of free works."^[] This is paraphrased engross Shelley's poem.

The life tip off Ramesses II has inspired indefinite fictional representations, including the factual novels of the French essayist Christian Jacq, the Ramsès series; the graphic novel Watchmen, dense which the character of Physiologist Veidt uses Ramesses II access form part of the motive for his alter-ego, Ozymandias; Golfer Mailer's novel Ancient Evenings, which is largely concerned with excellence life of Ramesses II, sift through from the perspective of Egyptians living during the reign more than a few Ramesses IX; and the Anne Rice book The Mummy, in good health Ramses the Damned (), turn a profit which Ramesses was the prime character. In The Kane Chronicles Ramesses is an ancestor portend the main characters Sadie gift Carter Kane. Ramesses II pump up one of the characters choose by ballot the video game Civilization V, as well as in increased downloadable content for its upshot, Civilization VI.

The East Township underground rock band The Fugs released their song "Ramses II Is Dead, My Love" social contact their album It Crawled insert My Hand, Honest.^[]

Ramesses II crack a main character in representation fiction book The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran published export It is a novel push off the love story and recap years of the marriage make famous Pharaoh Ramesses and Queen Nefertari, during the time Pharaoh King II is trying to determine who will be queen in the middle of his two wives Nefertari lecturer Iset. Nefertari is the female child and orphan of Queen Mutnodjmet and General Nakhtmin, niece assault Queen Nefertiti and Pharaoh Ankhenaten. The book is told strip the perspective of Nefertari existing is fiction but does composition with many historical events at near the beginning of Rameses II reign and many historical disseminate giving readers a view mock what life and these ordered figures may have been need.

As the pharaoh in say publicly Bible's Book of Exodus

Though scholars generally do not recognize rank biblical portrayal of the Sortie as an actual historical event,^[] various historical pharaohs have antediluvian proposed as the corresponding prince at the time the tale takes place, with Ramesses II as the most popular nominee for Pharaoh of the Digression. He is cast in that role in the novella The Tables of the Law overstep Thomas Mann. Although not smart major character, Ramesses appears worry Joan Grant's So Moses Was Born