Ramesses II: Religious Leader
The role in which Ramesses II played within religion was not as prolific as that of earlier Pharaoh's or his other roles as a builder, or military leader. Although this is the case, it is still a role that should not be overlooked. He was most responsible for the erasing of the Armana period from history. He sought to deliberatley deface the Armana monuments, as well as change the entire religious structure, as well as that of the Priesthood. This was in order to try and bring everything back to the way it was beofre the reign of Akhenaten. Once Ramesses II had reigned for 30 years he was eligible to hold a Sed- Festival. Only halfway through, what would be a 67 year reign, Ramesses II had already far surpassed but a few of the greatest kings, in his achievements. He had brought peace, maintained Egyptians borders, and built many great monumnets across the entirity of the empire. His land was more prosperous and powerful that it had ever been in nearly a century.
The pharaoh was the centre to Egyptian life in all aspects. he was the sacred element and the secualr element of society, although to the Egyptians, these were one in the same. He was the chief priest, the intergration of the law, and his duties would have varied from leadin the people in day to day religious ceremonies, as well as special ones, and settling legal debarcles, and disputes. In Ancient times the power of the Pharaoh and his religious significance was displayed by the ritual vesments that he wore. The symbols of the Gods that were praised and looked up to, were his tools of office. These showed the poeple his authority which was given by the Gods, as well as Ramesses' status as a god himself. These tools were also a constant reminder for the Pharaoh that he had a duty for the people and to maat. The most well recognised tools that the Pharaoh ahd were the crook and the flail, which represented Ramesses' authority to reward the innocent and punish the guilty. This was because they were so widely depicted on many sarcophogi. On his head Ramesses wore the dual crown of upper and lower Egypt, which showed his power and rule over the two lands. Displayed on the front of the crown, were the images and symbols of divinity, the most common being the Uraeus Cobra. This was a snake that represented the Eye of Ra, who saw all that the Pharaoh saw, the good and the evil.
Once the time came and the Ramesses II died at the age of 90, it was said that his spirit journeyed to the afterlife and joined those of his predecessors and Osiris. It was from here that he guided his succcessors on thr right path, just as he had been guided by thise that went before him. Thus a continuous cycle was set up: the living honoring and remembering the dead, and the dead assisting the living from the afterlife, all of it connected through the Prahaoh, the emissary of both worlds.
Sed Festival:
The Sed Festival was one that was held once the Pahraoh had reached his 30th year of reign. Ramesses joined a select group of long reigning Pharaohs, that were able to achieve this success. By tradition, when this time came around, Ramesses II celebrated his Jubilee, which then was called Sed Festival. It was during this time when the king was ritaully transformed into a God. By being transformed into a God, Ramesses II drastically changed his role as a ruler of Egypt, and as the first born son of Amun-Her-Khepsef. Since the people of Egypt worshiped Ramses II as a god, it also helped to ensure that his son, who at that point commanded the army, would rise to power following his death, without anyone trying to seize the throne.
Association with God Seth:
When scientists analysed the remains of Ramesses II, it was discovered that he was likely to have had red hair.There were also traces of red hair remaining on his mummy. The red hair trait was associated with the following of and belief in the God Seth. The god Seth was one of Egypts earliest known Gods, and represented, wind, chaos, confusion, storms, the desert and foreign lands. Ramesses and his father Seti I had a connection to this god, as bother were warrior pharaohs and used his violent nature to help with their war efforts. During Ramesses II, second campaign against the Hittites, he spilt tha army into four parts and named them each after a God, Ra, Amen, Ptah and Set.
This is an account from a Ramesseum inscription about the Gods involvement in the battle of Kadesh:
"Thereupon the forces of the Foe from Khatti surrounded the followers of his majesty who were by his side. When his majesty caught sight of them he rose quickly, enraged at them like his father Mont. Taking up weapons and donning his armor he was like Set in the moment of his power. He mounted 'Victory-in-Thebes,' his great horse, and started out quickly alone by himself. His majesty was mighty, his heart stout. one could not stand before him. All his ground was ablaze with fire; he burned all the countries with his blast. His eyes were savage as he beheld them; his power flared like fire against them. He heeded not the foreign multitude; he regarded them as chaff. His majesty charged into the force of the Foe from Khatti and the many countries with him. His majesty was like Seth, great-of-strength, like Sekhmet in the moment of her rage. His majesty slew the entire force of the Foe from Khatti, together with his great chiefs and all his brothers, as well as all the chiefs of all the countries that had come with him, their infantry and their charioteers falling on their faces one upon the other. His majesty slaughtered them in their places; they sprawled before his horses; and his majesty was alone, none other with him".
Upholder of Maat:
Maat can be defined as the universal order, or the concept of truth, law, balance, morality and justice. The Phararoh was not just the king-preist he was the upholder of Maat. As long as the people honoured the pharaoh and the Gods; and the pharaoh honoured the gods, as well as obeying the law, all would be well and maat would be in balance. But as soon as these components failed, not only the people would suffer, but the whole empire, as maat formed the basis of all things. Ramesses II was beleived to have the spirit of the god Horus residing within him, and helping to guide him along the proper path of Maat. Ramesses also had the spirits of his predecessors, who dwelt within osiris, to help him, even though this was the case, the pharaoh could still make mistakes, and therefore the spirits would only support him, so long as he uphelp Maat.