Ramesses II ruled over Ancient Egypt for over 6 decades. As a general he fought camapgins against the Hittites, Syrians and Sherden pirates; as king he built extravagantly and his monuments wereto be found in everycorner of the Egyptian Empire; he was husband to beautiful Nefertari and father of scores of children. He presided over an era of peace and prosperity the like of which was enjoyed by no other Egyptian King. Subsequent pharaohs even took his name, hoping to emulate his achievements. Yet Ramesses eventually became a victim of that very success. With his death his reputation and fame spread farther and grew in stature until the real Ramesses was buried beneath a mountain of exaggeration, misattribution and confusion as the facts of his life became embroiled in the myths and tales which surrounded the Ancient Egyptains. (Joyce Tyldesley, Ramesses Egypt's Greatest Pharaoh).
Ramesses II was the most famous pharaoh of the New Kingdom in the 19th Dynasty. He is described as being egotistical as well as a meglomaniac. He was born in 1304 BC to father and Pharaoh Seti I and mother Muttuya, who was daughter of the 'Lieutenant of Chariotrty' Raia. It was likely that he had two sisters, Tia and Hunetmire, as well as a brother, although over the years his name has been lost. At one point Ramesses married his sister Hunetmire, though she bore him no children and was buried in the Valley of the Queens, in the 40th year of his reign.
Ramesses II came to be Pharaoh in the year 1279 at the age of 25, and reigned for 66 years until 1213. This meant that he outlived many of his children, and the people he governed over, many had never known another pharaoh. This was due to the short life expectancy of people in ancient times. This was seen as the official start of Ramesses political career, although at the age of 10 he was named 'First King's Son' (i.e. crown prince), and once he had proved himself worthy, he was crowned the co-regent to Seti I, his grandfather. Evidence of this can be seen within inscriptions on the waall of temples and tombs at Abydos, Karnak and Kurna. It wasn't until 27th day of the third month of shemu ( 23rd of June 1279 BC), that Ramesses II became the sole ruler of lower and upper Egypt.
Throughout his reign, Ramesses played a very significant role and also made a great contribution to the Egyptian society. Such roles were that of builder, militray leader as well as upholder of Maat. Through these roles Ramesses II managed to make many, very significant contributions to the Egyptian society.
Ramesses II was the most famous pharaoh of the New Kingdom in the 19th Dynasty. He is described as being egotistical as well as a meglomaniac. He was born in 1304 BC to father and Pharaoh Seti I and mother Muttuya, who was daughter of the 'Lieutenant of Chariotrty' Raia. It was likely that he had two sisters, Tia and Hunetmire, as well as a brother, although over the years his name has been lost. At one point Ramesses married his sister Hunetmire, though she bore him no children and was buried in the Valley of the Queens, in the 40th year of his reign.
Ramesses II came to be Pharaoh in the year 1279 at the age of 25, and reigned for 66 years until 1213. This meant that he outlived many of his children, and the people he governed over, many had never known another pharaoh. This was due to the short life expectancy of people in ancient times. This was seen as the official start of Ramesses political career, although at the age of 10 he was named 'First King's Son' (i.e. crown prince), and once he had proved himself worthy, he was crowned the co-regent to Seti I, his grandfather. Evidence of this can be seen within inscriptions on the waall of temples and tombs at Abydos, Karnak and Kurna. It wasn't until 27th day of the third month of shemu ( 23rd of June 1279 BC), that Ramesses II became the sole ruler of lower and upper Egypt.
Throughout his reign, Ramesses played a very significant role and also made a great contribution to the Egyptian society. Such roles were that of builder, militray leader as well as upholder of Maat. Through these roles Ramesses II managed to make many, very significant contributions to the Egyptian society.