Ramesses II
1) Introduction / Thesis statement
Ramesses II, the greatest pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. Ramesses II is also referred to as “Ramesses the Great”, due to his great accomplishment’s. Ramesses II reign to the throne (1303 - 1213BC) started when his father died, (1279 – 1213BC) Seti I. Ramesses’s role and significance was important to Egypt with military campaigns he led which resulted in the expansion and power of Egypt’s Borders. The majority of Ancient Egypt historians agree on under Ramesses II reign Egypt peaked in military and economic power. Ramesses also led architectural endeavours, i.e., the Ramesseum, and the temples of Abu Simbel. Ramesses II Interest in architecture resulted in the construction of more monuments than any
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other ancient Egyptian pharaoh. The following indicates that he fulfilled the duty of upholding ma’at. 2) Background information (before he came pharaoh) Ramesses was the youngest son of Seth I.
Ramesses II had an older brother named Nebchasetnebe who was suppose to be pharaoh following Seth I death. Nebchasetnebe died during his education, resulting in Ramesses being next in line to pharaoh. When Ramesses was 10 his father gave him the honourable title “First Commander of the Army” Two years later he experienced his first battle against the Tjehenu and Meschwesch in the Nile delta. Throughout his adolesce Ramesses II fought alongside his father and Egypt in multiple battles before taking the throne at age of 25. Ramesses II was well prepared to take the throne resulting in the success of the Egyptian empire under his …show more content…
reign. 3) Roles & duties of Pharaohs The pharaoh is the governing manner of Egypt therefore resulting in a variety of roles, military to law. 1) The pharaoh was considered the focal point of the nation which unified people under his rule. 2) Head of law, administration, government, religious leading & head of military. 3) As head of military Ramesses ensured the protection of his land and people. 4) Being head of the army requires successful military strategies. 5) Electing government officials. 6) Increasing wealth by trading, trade expeditions. 7) Architectural expansion. 8) Upholding religion of Egypt to their name. 9) Finally, upholding ma’at, which links to all of the above. I believe Ramesses II excelled in 3) This is because he ensued the protection of his people with the success of his military campaigns. 4) Ramesses defiantly had successful military strategies which resulted in the power and expansion of Egypt boarders. 7) Ramesses had an interest in architecture which resulted in monuments such as a 60,000 square foot building to be erected. 9) I believe that Ramesses successfully upheld ma’at and excelled in this because I believe he was the most successful pharaoh who ever lived. This is why I believe Ramesses was the most significant pharaoh. 4) First major point – Military I believe that Ramesses was the most significant pharaoh based on his military success.
Ramesses was successful with strategy & with sword in hand, both of these aspects cause historians to believe that Ramesses was the most successful military pharaoh. Ramesses had military success in plentiful of victories, i.e., protecting the Mediterranean coast with strategic plans which caused the expansion of Egypt boarders. Two years later Ramesses fought against the Palestinian prince successfully, expanding Egypt boarders. He shortly after captured the Hittite state of Amurra which resulted in further power & wealth. The battle of Kadesh. The battle of Kadesh proved Ramesses military power with sword in hand. Ramesses walked into a Hittite trap. With little warning 2500 Hittie charities descended on his division. The survivors fled to the Egyptian camp while Ramesses stood alone with few standing by his side to revolt the attack, defeat seemed certain. It was at this point Ramesses needed to prove his point, his significance. He leapt into his war chariot and personally drove back the Hittite advance. As the Hitties fled they were hit with another Egyptian division. Egyptian reinforcements had been sent by sea and rapidly appeared in time to help Ramesses repel the Hitties. This battle proved the significance of the pharaoh. There have also been other accounts of Ramesses crushing armies single handily. Although these events may be exaggerated they were still mentioned with reason.
Ramesses was an extremely successful military leader according to history. As well as excelling in warfare he also proved himself in architecture by erecting monuments which ancient Egyptian historians believe to be an amazing feat of the ancient world. This proves in the diversity of Ramesses skillset which makes him significant as he upholds ma’at. 5) Second major point – Architecture Throughout his life, Ramesses II went on to construct various monuments. Ramesses had an interest in architecture. The great hall at the Temple at Karnak. This is a 60,000 square foot area monument comprised of 16 rows & 134 columns; most of which are over 50-foot. There are also an additional 12 columns standing over 80 foot outside. The great hall at Karnak is considered one of the greatest feats of the ancient world. Additionally, to this monument he also built a temple to his chief wife, Nefertari. The temple was made as one of a pharaoh, rich with jewels & feats of architecture in the interior. Monuments of other pharaohs were destroyed & the materials were used to construct monuments which represented Ramesses II. This example shows of his significance, especially to the Egyptian people. The following examples proves Ramesses II architectural feats, and success which leads to his significance as a pharaoh. Ramesses focused on architecture and found it important as he found religion important, especially with change in religion relating to Akhenaten. This proves in Ramesses II him respecting the roles of a pharaoh, which made him uphold ma’at, making him significant. 6) Religion I believe the role Ramesses II played in religion is strongly overlooked. He was responsible for erasing the Armana monuments. (Akhenaten monuments) Ramesses sought to deface the Armana monuments as well as restructure the entire religious beliefs. This was to bring everything back before the reign of Akhenaten. (Akhenaten changed the religion) Ramesses found the previous religion superior. This completely changed Egypt and their beliefs. 7) Conclusion I believe that Ramesses II was the greatest pharaoh of ancient Egypt, without argument. The feats which Ramesses II achieved peaked for any pharaoh, relating to upholding ma’at. This includes his preparation to become pharaoh, architecture, religion, and military feats. Ancient historians can agree on these facts.
All these battles had significant impacts to either the war or the moral of the Greek Army. The most significant Battles were The Battle of Salamis and The Battle of Plataea. These battles also saw the contributions of many key individuals, which lead to the victory of the Greeks in the ends as well as the rise of the Greek navy. These Key individuals included Leonidas, Themistocles, Eurybiades and Pausanias. They all had major roles and all contributed differently through out the Persian invasions leading to the victory of the Greeks of the
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.
The fundamental features of the Warrior Pharaoh image during New Kingdom Egypt included; leading his soldiers into battle and returning in victory, attacking the enemy in his horse-drawn chariot which was adopted from the Hyksos, wearing war regalia , larger than life expectations and finally offering the spoils of war to the god Amun, the inspiration of his victory. Due to the absence of the their pharaohs on military campaigns, the Queens began to play a more prominent role within the New Kingdom Egypt’s society, however this was a short term consequence of the civil war as it was only necessary when the Pharaoh left to go to war or on a campaign. The rise in roles and prominences amongst the Queen’s slowly decreased towards the end of the war until Hatshepsut comes into power. After this the Queen’s involvement seems to disappear and we begin to no longer hear about
In 1567, Hatshepsut’s great grandfather Ahmose I liberated Egypt from the Hyksos invaders. It has been said that wherever he marched, he conquered, to maintain the lands he conquered he set up Egyptian garrisons to keep subject and enforce revenue from the newly captured lands. (Wells 33) He united upper and Lower Egypt, became Pharaoh of both and founded the ...
His exact age is not known. At that age Thutmose III could not rule the great nation of Egypt properly, so a regent was to be appointed (Dell 48). Picking a regent for a pharaoh is an important task. This person had to rule Egypt for Thutmose until he was old and mature enough to take control and lead the country on his own.... ...
Egypt has one of the longest histories of any nation in the world. Written history of Egypt dates back to about 5,000 years, the commencement of civilization. While there is divergence in relation to Early Egyptian times, it is said that Egypt came to be around 3200 B.C., during the reign of a king by the name of Menes and unified the northern and southern cities of Egypt into one government. In 1675 B.C., Egypt was invaded by the Hyksos, people from the east, bringing along the very first of chariots and horses ever to come across Egyptian soil. Approximately 175 years later in 1500 B.C., the Egyptians had gotten rid of the Hyksos and driven them out. In 1375 B.C., Amenhotep IV had become the king of Egypt. During his reign he eliminated the worship of Egyptian gods and initiated the idea of only worshipping one god. But after his death, his ideas were retired and old ways were reestablished. Egyptian supremacy then started to decline around 1000 B.C. Between 1000 B.C. and 332 B.C., Egypt was ruled by many such as the Libyans, Assyrians, Ethiopians, and Persians. In 640, Muslims conquered Egypt and founded the city of Cairo in 969 and deemed it as the capital of Egypt. For many centuries Egypt was ruled by Muslim caliphs. A prominent ruler of this period was Saladin, who battled the Christian Crusaders at the conclusion of the twelfth century. In 1798 Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Egypt but was then forced to withdraw in 1801 Turkish and British armed forces. In 1805 Mohamed Ali began ruling Egypt till 1848 and great changed the country in terms of modernization and its military. During Mohamed’s conquest, he borrowed a lot of money from the French and British, which later resulted in Egypt’s coloniza...
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.
It is believed that during Tutankhamun’s rule that Horemheb was his advisor and along with Ay ran most of the government. During the time of Tutankhamun’s rule the Egyptians were at war with the warlike kingdom called the Hittites. Horemheb was still the commander of Egypt’s army so he was sent to lead the soldiers. The location of the fighting is unknown but thought to be around Amqa which is in present day Israel. Though Egypt had one of the best armies and leaders in the world the army declined after Akhenaten's rule. The Hittites were winning a lot of the battles and taking Egyptian territory from all over but mostly in Syria. Ten years into young Tutankhamun's rule he died. During the time Tutankhamun’s death Horemheb was fighting the Hittites in Amqa, but many believe that either Ay or Horemheb killed the Pharaoh. Because Horemheb was fighting the Hittites Ay claimed the title of Pharaoh when Horemheb was supposed
Ramses III (reigned 1182-1151 BC), Egyptian king of the 20th dynasty, a great military leader who repeatedly saved the country from invasion. In the 5th year of his reign, Ramses defeated an attack by the Libyans from the west, and two years later he routed invaders known as the Sea Peoples. In his 11th year he again repelled an attempted attack by the Libyans. Ramses was also a builder of temples and palaces in the tradition of his 19th-dynasty predecessor, Ramses II. His victories are depicted on the walls of his mortuary temple at Medinet Habu, near Luxor. Egyptian records tell of a strike by workers at Ramses's burial site and a plot against the king near the end of his reign. Ramses III was the last of the great rulers and after his death there were centuries of weakness and foreign domination.
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