It is not known the exact number of children Ramses had in his lifetime, however the rough estimate is around 96 sons and 60 daughters. This treaty is the oldest recorded peace treaty in the world. Skirmishes with the Hittites continued over these two cities until 1258 BC, when an official peace treaty was established between the Egyptian pharaoh and Hattusili III, the then king of the Hittites. He signed the first international peace treatyĭuring the 8th and 9th years of his reign, Ramses led more military campaigns against the Hittites, successfully capturing Dapur and Tunip. He also honoured both his father and himself by completing temples at Abydos. Both temples featured giant statues of Ramses himself. Those included the gigantic temples of Abu Simbel, a rock monument to himself and his queen Nefertari and the Ramesseum, his mortuary temple. His reign saw a great number of architectural achievements, and the building and reconstructing of many temples, monuments and structures. He was also fascinated with architecture, building extensively throughout Egypt and Nubia. Ramses erected more colossal statues of himself than any other pharaoh. Egyptian architecture flourished under his rule Upon being declared a god, Ramses established the new capital city, Pi-Ramesses, in the Nile Delta and used it as the main base for his campaigns in Syria.
14 sed festivals were held during his entire reign. In the 30th years of his reign, Ramses was ritually transformed into an Egyptian god.
He declared himself a godīy tradition, sed festivals were jubilees celebrated in ancient Egypt after a pharaoh had ruled for 30 years, and then every three years after that. So great was his legacy that 9 subsequent pharaohs took the name Ramses in his honour. His successors and later Egyptians called him the “Great Ancestor”. He continued to lead military campaigns that saw many victories, and he is remembered for his bravery and effective leadership over the Egyptian army.ĭuring his reign, the Egyptian army is estimated to have totalled some 100,000 men. He was known as Ramses the GreatĪs a young pharaoh, Ramses fought fierce battles to secure the borders of Egypt against the Hittites, Nubians, Libyans and Syrians. These are all covered in today's episode with Dr Campbell Price about the treasures that will be housed in the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. Ramesses the Great, ego in the ancient world and Tutankhamun's sacred underwear. By the age of 22, he was leading the Egyptian army as their commander. His elder brother was first in line to succeed, and it was not until his death at the age of 14 that Ramses was declared prince regent.Īs a young crown prince, Ramses accompanied his father on his military campaigns, so that he would gain experience of leadership and war. Ramses II was 5 years old when his father took the throne. Ramses was named after his grandfather, the great pharaoh Ramses I, who brought their commoner family to the ranks of royalty through his military prowess. His family came to power decades after the rein of Akhenaten (1353-36 BC). Ramses II was born in 1303 BC to Pharaoh Seti I and his wife, Queen Toya. Here are 10 facts about the self-proclaimed “ruler of rulers”. Under his rule, the Egyptian kingdom flourished and prospered. The ostentatious pharaoh is best remembered for his exploits at the Battle of Kadesh, his architectural legacy, and for bringing Egypt into its golden age. 1279-1213 BC) was undoubtedly the greatest pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty – and one of the most important leaders of ancient Egypt.