Ramesses II, also known as “Ramesses the Great” was the third pharaoh of the 19th dynasty in Egypt. He came to power following the death of his father, Seti I who was pharaoh of Egypt. Ramesses II had a lengthy reign of 66 years from 1279 BC to 1213 BC, and during those years, he was regarded as one of the most powerful pharaoh’s of Egypt. Ramesses II can attribute the attainment of his power due to his use of propaganda, as evidenced by his often ostentatious displays and exaggerations of his achievements, along with the widespread locations of his propaganda and his use of propaganda in monumental buildings.
The Battle of Kadesh was a turning point during Ramesses II reign, and it greatly influenced how he represented himself in propaganda.
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The Battle of Kadesh was a military campaign with 20, 000 men led by Ramesses II early in his reign, against the Hittites. The battle was a difficult one as both opposing sides were of equal valour and strength, however, ultimately it ended in a stalemate as both the Egyptians and the Hittites agreed upon a peace treaty.
Following the battle, Ramesses II returned to Egypt and described the battle as a decisive victory led by him against the Hittites, which was far from reality (Clayton, 1994; Mark, 2009). According to well respected author, Silvia Anne Sheafer (2013) in her book, “Ramses the Great” she suggests that Ramesses II accounts of the battle were exaggerated. She asserts, “Ramses’ celebration of victory over the Hittites had been dramatized in art compositions and poetic narrative. Temple inscriptions recounted his heroics.” Clearly, Sheafer provides the belief that Ramesses II used the Battle of Kadesh to portray himself as a great warrior in propaganda. Her perspective is provided further support through corroboration with oft-cited history writer Susanna Thomas (2003). Thomas writes, “one of Rameses’ primary goals was to be known and remembered as a great warrior. The image of the brave fighter…defending his kingdom.” Thomas’s account provides the belief that Ramesses II extensively utilised propaganda through exaggerating his efforts at the Battle of Kadesh, this perspective is …show more content…
given further credibility through corroboration with a primary source painting from a relief (cited in Clayton, 1994). The painting depicts Rameses II as a very tall figure on a chariot firing arrows to defend Egypt from the Hittites. It can be inferred from Ramesses II being a tall figure standing over the enemy that he wanted to appear as an imposing figure who is defending Egypt from danger. Through using propaganda which allowed him to appear as a great warrior through exaggerating the events of the Battle of Kadesh, Ramesses II furthered his power as many Egyptians would have viewed him as the hero of Egypt. In addition to using overemphasised details of the battle of Kadesh to shape his representation to one of a great warrior, he also effectively utilised the location of where his propaganda was situated to further his power. Location was a key feature used by Ramesses II to ensure that he maximised the effectiveness of propaganda and that he was well known all throughout Egypt. Historical writer Susanna Thomas (2003) asserts, “Rameses built more monuments throughout the whole of Egypt and Nubia (modern day Sudan) than any other pharaohs and renamed them as if he made them himself. By the end of his reign, colossal statues of the king were worshipped in all the main cities of Egypt.” Clearly, Thomas shows that Ramesses II was able to successfully ensure that he was known and worshipped all throughout Egypt by placing propaganda all over the nation. Ramesses II effective use of propaganda is also evident in the columns (cited in Papanek, 1993) at Seti’s temple. Seti was the father of Ramesses II, and although the temple was dedicated to his father, Ramesses II had images of himself engraved on the columns to further glorify himself. Ramesses II choice in displaying propaganda with the monuments of other pharaoh’s may have been so that Egyptians would view Ramesses II in association with other great pharaohs of Egypt. Moreover, it can be inferred by his choice in placing propaganda in locations such as temples, that more Egyptians would have likely viewed it as many Egyptians frequently go to temples, hence, helping him formulate an image of being powerful. Along with utilising location effectively to circulate propaganda, which glorified himself, Ramesses II also, built monuments on a grand scale that glorified himself. Although the monuments built by Ramesses II represents himself as a powerful pharaoh, they are also incredible building achievements.
Abu Simbel (cited in Clayton, 1994), is a colossal temple carved from sandstone rock at Abu Simbel which is far south in Nubia. At the entrance of Abu Simbel, there are four huge figures that are 18 metres high, of Ramesses II seated in pairs. This temple is an overwhelmingly grand monument and would have been an effective means of propaganda for Ramesses II, as many Egyptians would have viewed it. Furthermore, as the figures of Ramesses II in front of the temple were grand, many Egyptians would have likely viewed it often or came often to view it, as something this big may not have been present in Egypt. Further evidence of Ramesses II building large-scale monuments, which were used as effective propaganda, includes the Great Hypostyle Hall Karnak (cited in The Great Columns, n.d), which entail 134 sandstone columns in the form of papyrus stalks. These columns are all inscribed by Ramesses II, with royal cartouches and his other royal titles everywhere. Clearly, Ramesses II effectively utilised propaganda in monuments built by himself. Respected British archaeologist and writer, Peter A. Clayton (1994) suggests that, “No other pharaoh constructed so many temples or erected so many colossal statues and obelisks.” Hence, it can be determined that Ramesses II effectively utilised his own constructions in Egypt to implement propaganda and
further his power. As evidenced, the attainment of Ramesses II’s power can be attributed to his extensive use of propaganda throughout Egypt. He utilised propaganda to a significant extent as shown by his exaggerations of his achievements such as the Battle of Kadesh to shape his representation of being a great warrior, in addition to the extensive locations of his propaganda and his grand scale use of propaganda through constructing his own monuments. Ramesses II overemphasised his achievements to appear as a great warrior and pharaoh to further appeal towards Egyptians, similarly he utilised numerous locations for his propaganda so that he could widely circulate his image of being “Ramesses the Great”. Moreover, through the construction of various grand scale building monuments he effectively allowed himself to appear as a considerate and powerful pharaoh. Therefore, Ramesses II can be considered as a pharaoh whose power lay in his extensive use of propaganda.
Ramses had a harsh and profound life, yet he was able to accomplish, build, and expand so many ideas across Egypt and even into today. Ramses II made most decisions based on his involvement whether that was war, politics, or ruling. Egypt had to rely on Ramses II to be Pharaoh when his father died. This step in which Ramses had to take at the age of 19 was hard to fulfill with only some training by his father. Ramses was able to accomplish many innovations that have survived to be around today. As ruler Ramses was also the leader of his army and led many battles including the famous war between the Egyptians and Hittites. Ramses created the first treaty to be written down after a war. Ramses has been known to be one of the most profound Pharaoh in history. Even though Egypt relied on Ramses II to be Pharaoh at such a young age, Egypt did not rely just on his judgment, but rather his personal involvement. He expanded Egypt to its’ greatest and highest with a thriving economy and enriched structural growth. Ramses II led for 66 years bringing Egypt to its’ highest power, territorial gain, and economical wealth.
Pyramids, gold, the Nile, hieroglyphics, gods and goddesses…no matter how much we know about it, we all see one of these things when we picture Egypt. However, this image is not complete without the Pharaoh. Not much in Egypt was. So to be considered “The Last Great Pharaoh of Egypt” is quite an honor, an honor that Ramesses III carries. A ruler in the time of the New Kingdom, he gave Egypt a few more years of glory before it’s decline.
This book talks about the experiential aspects of the Pyramids Of Giza, discussing how the size of the buildings, as well as the spaces and materials used, make the pyramids feel very grand, reflecting the pharaoh’s power. (Fazio 2013) suggests that the pyramids were built to such grand proportions to emphasis the power of the pharaoh in society as well as his god like status.
A major example focuses around the subplot of the hunting and killing of Humbaba. In Gilgamesh’s quote to Enkidu after he objects to the idea of traveling to the cedar forest (110), Gilgamesh claims: “If I fall on the way, I’ll establish my name: ‘Gilgamesh, who joined battle with fierce Humbaba’ they’ll say” (111). Later on the same page when Gilgamesh is addressing the elders, his speech shows just how much hubris he exerts: “…I will hunt him down in the forest of cedars. I will make the land hear how mighty is the scion of Uruk. I will set my hand to cutting a cedar, an eternal name I will make for myself!” (111-112). Like Beowulf, Gilgamesh’s end goal is shown to be the same. Both want to showcase their strength and might while also making a name for themselves. Utilizing large amounts of hubris through their speeches is the way they do this, followed by an epic battle in which they come out
After his ascent to the throne, the kingdom prospered and the young Pharaoh poured his energies and national treasures into building temples and monuments honoring his father, Egypt's gods and himself. In Nubia he constructed six temples, two of which were carved out of a Cliffside at Abu Simbel, with their four colossal statues of the king, are the most magnificent and the best known. Engineers designed the temple so every year on February 22 and October 22 the earliest sunrays shine on the back wall of the innermost chamber and lights up the pharaoh's statue, and fitting, he sits with the three gods of the sun. In all of his monuments he had his name cartouche and texts engraved so deep that no successor would be able to remove it.
Monumental architecture in Pharaonic Egypt is represented primarily by the funerary complexes of the pharaohs. The principal function of these elaborate complexes was to ensure that the pharaohs, who were exalted as living gods, would attain the afterlife they desired. This required that two basic conditions be fulfilled: the body had to be preserved from disturbance or destruction; and the material needs of the body and the ka had to be met (Edwards 20). Pharaonic burial complexes were also centers of worship for the god-king interred there and were designed to exalt his memory and deeds.
The statue of King Khafre Seated , from the fourth dynasty of the Old Kingdom, 2520 - 2492 BCE, was created by an unknown artist in the smooth permanence of graywacke stone. Although the statue is currently at the Metropolitan Museum of Art as number 56 in the Special Egyptian Exhibition, its true home is at the Egyptian Museum, in Cairo. The man being portrayed, King Khafre, ruled Egypt for approximately thirty years, during which he commissioned the single most recognizable monuments of Egypt, the a fore mentioned Pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx. These monuments of symmetry and solidity characterize the focus of popular architecture and sculpture from the Old Kingdom in Egypt.
The remaining years of his rule were distinguished by the construction of such monuments as the rock-hewn temple of Abû Simbel, the great hypostyle hall in the Temple of Amon at Al Karnak, and the mortuary temple at Thebes, known as Ramesseum.
Alexander’s first major victory was at the Granicus River. In May of 334 BC, Alexander’s army met the Persians in battle and defeated them. Following this victory, Alexander continued his march into Persia, and many towns simply surrendered, including Sardis. After a siege at Halicarnassus which Alexander eventually won, he moved on to meet the Persians again at Issus in November of 333 BC, under the command of Darius III of Persia. The Persian army had an advantage in numbers over Alexander’s, more than 2 to 1; but Alexander, using his ability to anticipate his enemies’ plans and counter them, again soundly defeated the Persians. In the midst of the battle, Darius fled. The
Egypt relied on their pharaohs to rule and run their county. Amenhotep III was the ninth pharaoh of the 18th dynasty; he ruled as pharaoh for a long period and achieved a significant amount of development in national and foreign affairs. He has been known as one of the best pharaohs that the world has seen. While Amenhotep was ruler of his era, it was known as the period of peace and prosperity. This allowed him to build many of the impressive structures that are found throughout Egypt today. He went on military campaigns and not only strengthened but expanded the boarders of Egypt throughout his campaigns. Amenhotep III was a successful pharaoh because he completed the roles of a pharaoh exceptionally well; these roles are High Priest, Administrator and Military commander. His name ‘Amenhotep’ means that the gods are satisfied.
The statue of Khafre is an example of how pharaohs utilized their wealth to elaborate the power they possessed while they were alive and to utilize while they were dead. They ordered statues to be made in their name to decorate the valley temple. The valley temple is a funerary setting in which Khafre ordered 23 statues to be made for it. In this case, Khafre’s statue was made and place near the
...of the Memphian Kings (Egyptian Pharoah’s at the great city of Memphis) who built the Great Pyramids, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, but whose city Memphis sustained much damage throughout the years (the city decayed and the capital eventually moved to Thebes).
"Temples, tombs and pyramids - all have witnessed this earth for thousands of years. What better than to say that these architectural achievements show us that Egypt's greatest virtue lay in its architecture" (Fumeaux:11, 1964)
...n 1163 B.C., Egypt entered a period of slow decline (Scarre 1997:116). Pharaohs became less powerful, and their prestige dwindled. Hungry soldiers were terrorizing the community, while tomb robbers were raiding the pyramids for resources that were very much needed. They had buried their pharaohs with food, goods and jewelry, all of which were needed to keep the civilization in tact. They had built too many pyramids, and there were setbacks in Asia which corrupted trade. People did not understand why the pharaohs could not fix the problems that were going on. They viewed them as gods and lost trust and faith. Egypt fell apart as these things culminated with loss of belief in the pharaohs.
The most famous are the three great pyramid tombs at Giza, which was built by three successive Fouth-Dynasty kings. I believe that they are the best representatives of ancient Egyptian art, not only because they are architectural marvels, but also the because of their portrayal of wisdom and the culture of ancient Egypt. 1. What is the difference between Architectural beauty The Giza Pyramids embody great beauty with unique elements. seen in modern architecture.