Ramses II: Egypt’s Legendary Pharaoh

Ramses II: The Great Pharaoh of Egypt

Ramses II’s long reign, military campaigns and monumental buildings made him one of ancient Egypt’s best-known pharaohs. His legacy remains visible at Abu Simbel Temple and in the Luxor area.

These monuments offer insight into his rule and the culture of his time.

Who Was Ramses II?

Ramses II was the third pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty. His reign is generally dated to around 1279–1213 BC. The name Ramses the Great reflects his long rule, achievements and extensive building programme.

He lived during the New Kingdom, a period associated with Egypt’s wealth and political power. His policies sought to extend Egyptian influence, retain control of its territories and reinforce his image as a powerful ruler.

His surviving statues, temples and inscriptions provide valuable evidence of ancient Egyptian royal culture.

The Early Life of Ramses II

Ramses II was a member of the Egyptian royal family. His father, Seti I, was a 19th Dynasty pharaoh who was training him to be king as a boy.
As a young prince, Ramses gained experience in military affairs and government. He participated in military campaigns with his father and then assumed responsibilities gradually.
When he came to the throne, pharaoh Ramses II carried on his family's work of bolstering Egypt's influence in the ancient world.

The Reign of Ramses the Great

Ramses II reigned for approximately 66 years. His reign was one of the longest in ancient Egyptian history. During his reign, Ramses II engaged in warfare, pursued diplomatic initiatives and undertook a number of construction projects.
He presented himself as a powerful defender of Egypt and commissioned monuments celebrating his achievements. A number of these monuments were decorated with hieroglyphs and images of the pharaoh with Egyptian gods.
His reign transformed Egypt’s monumental landscape and continues to interest historians and visitors.

Ramses II and the Battle of Kadesh

The Battle of Kadesh was one of the biggest battles fought by Ramses II against the Hittite Empire in 1274 BC in today's Syria.
The battle played a big role in creating the image of Ramses as king. The Egyptians recorded him as a brave soldier who boldly fought against his enemies.
Long after the war was over, however, Egypt and the Hittites eventually entered into a peace treaty. The peace treaty between Egypt and the Hittites is frequently considered to be the oldest existing international peace agreement.

The Temples and Monuments of Ramses II

Ramses II also built many temples, statues and monuments across Egypt. A significant number of these were constructed to show the power of the King, to worship the gods and to make sure the name of Ramses II was kept alive.

Abu Simbel Temples

The Abu Simbel temples are among Ramses II’s best-known monuments. Situated in southern Egypt, the temples are renowned for the colossal seated statues carved into the mountainside.
The Great Temple was devoted to Egyptian gods and to Ramses II. It is a large structure with highly decorated columns and it is popular among tourists who come to see the old Egyptian architecture.

The Ramesseum in Luxor

The Ramesseum is the funerary temple of the Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II on the west bank of the Nile at Luxor. Today, the complex includes a number of colossal statues, courtyards, halls, and chapels.
Despite the destruction of parts of the temple, travelers can walk through the ruins and learn about the colossal building projects undertaken by the pharaoh.

Luxor and Karnak Temples

Ramses II also left his mark on the imposing landscape of ancient Thebes, Egypt, which is today Luxor. At Karnak Temple, he commissioned construction work and inscriptions that testified to his strength as a king and his piety as a ruler.
Statues and architectural elements of Ramses II are still incorporated into the site at Luxor Temple.
These temples offer insight into religion, politics and Ancient Egyptian History.

Ramses II and Ancient Egyptian Architecture

Ramses II is remembered for the scale and number of monuments built during his reign. His projects included temples, colossal statues, and additions to existing religious complexes.
These edifices were intended to pay homage to the gods and, more than anything, to express the pharaoh’s power. Their inscriptions and their bas-reliefs also serve as a source of information on life as a king, religion, and history.
Visitors still go to the monuments of Ramses II to experience the architecture of ancient Egypt.

Ramses II's Family and Royal Life

Ramses II had many wives and children. One of his best-known wives was Nefertari, whose tomb in the Valley of the Queens is celebrated for its vivid wall paintings.

Her tomb offers insight into Egyptian burial practices and artistic skill. Ramses II also commissioned a temple honouring Nefertari at Abu Simbel.

His family played a central role in the royal life and succession of the 19th Dynasty.

The Tomb and Mummy of Ramses II

Ramses II was interred in the Valley of the Kings close to Luxor. His tomb was disturbed and his mummy was relocated during antiquity to safeguard it from looters.
The remains of Ramses II were later found in a royal cache, and his mummy is now kept at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo.
His well-preserved mummy provides a tangible connection to one of ancient Egypt’s most renowned pharaohs.