Ramses II and the Longest reign of Egypt

Ramses II, who reigned for 67 years during the 19th dynasty of the 12th century BC, was known as " Ramses the Great. His glories surpassed all other Pharaohs , and Egypt reached an overwhelming state of prosperity during his reign. not only known as one of the greatest warriors of Egypt, but also as a peacemaker and monuments throughout Egypt left. was the first king in history to sign a peace treaty with his enemies, the Hittites , the end of the long years of war and hostility. the treaty still be considered a successful model , even when the application of the rules.

Ramses was the son of Seti I and Queen Tuya and accompanied his father on military campaigns in Libya and Palestine at the age of 14 . At the age of 22 Ramses carrying their own campaigns in Nubia , with their own children and was named co-regent with Seti . With his father, Ramses was devoted to major restoration projects and build a new palace at Avaris . After the death of Seti I in 1290 BC, Ramses took the throne and immediately began military campaigns to restore the borders of Egypt and safe trade routes. The Battle of Kadesh , one of his first engagements (date, incidentally , in 1274 BC) almost caused his defeat and death . It is only thanks to his personal courage and calm in the battle that has managed to turn the tide against the Hittite king Muwatalli II. Ramses immortalized their exploits in Kadesh in the Pentaur poem and a newsletter in which he described the battle as a great victory Egypt ( recent studies have concluded the battle was more of a tie ) . The Battle of Kadesh led to the first peace treaty in world history between Ramses II and the Hittite empire Hattusili III.

At fourteen , Ramesses was appointed Prince Regent by his father Seti I. It is believed to have taken the throne in his teens and is known to have ruled Egypt from 1279 BC to 1213 BC for 66 years and 2 months, according to both Manetho and contemporary historical documents of Egypt. He said he lived up to 99 years, but it is more likely that he died in his 90 or 91 years . If he became pharaoh in 1279 BC as most Egyptologists today believe , he would have assumed the throne May 31, 1279 BC, based on the date of its known adhesion III Shemu 27.

Ramses II held a festival of unprecedented thirst ( the first was held after thirty years of reign of a pharaoh, and every three years ) during his reign, more than any other pharaoh. At his death, he was buried in a tomb in the Valley of the Kings .

The largest tomb complex known as the Ramesseum at Thebes , the temples of Abu Simbel, Karnak room , the Abydos complex and hundreds of other buildings, monuments, temples were built by Ramses . Many historians consider his reign, the pinnacle of Egyptian art and culture and the famous tomb of Nefertari with murals is cited as clear evidence of the truth of this statement. Nefertari was the first wife of Ramses and his favorite queen. Many representations of Nefertari appear on the walls of the temple and statues throughout his reign , although it seems to have disappeared early in their marriage (perhaps in childbirth ) and his tomb , but found looted, was a work of art in the construction and decoration. After Nefertari , Ramses Istnofret married and after his death , his daughters became his wives. Yet the memory of Nefertari seems they have always existed in his mind that Ramses had his engraved on the walls and statues after he had other wives picture.

Although Ramses was popularly associated with the " Pharaoh of the biblical book of Exodus, there is absolutely no evidence to support this claim . Archaeological depth of Giza and other locations across Egypt have uncovered evidence abundant that construction projects completed in the reign of Ramses II (and others for that matter) is used Egyptian workers and skilled workers who have either been paid for time or have been offered as part of their duty civic unskilled . Moreover , Ramses became famous for recording the stories of their achievements and to embellish the facts when they do not fit like they wanted to preserve history. seems highly unlikely that the King would neglect to register ( with or without a bias ) wounds allegedly from Egypt or the flight of Hebrew slaves .

It is often considered the greatest pharaoh , the most famous and most powerful of the Egyptian empire . His successors and later Egyptians him the " Great Ancestor " called called. Ramesses II led several military expeditions in the Levant , Egypt regain control over Canaan. He also led expeditions to the south, in Nubia , commemorated in inscriptions at Beit el -Wali and Gerf Hussein.