Pharaoh · 1303 BC – 1213 BC
Ramesses II
Key Takeaways
- Ramesses II reigned for about 66 years, one of the longest reigns in history.
- He fought the Hittites at the Battle of Kadesh and later signed the first known peace treaty.
- He built monuments across Egypt, including the rock temples at Abu Simbel.
- His power and building gave him the title Ramesses the Great.
For sixty-six years Ramesses II ruled Egypt at the height of its imperial power. No pharaoh built more, reigned longer in popular memory, or left a grander mark — which is why later Egyptians simply called him Ramesses the Great.
Warrior and peacemaker
Early in his reign he led the Egyptian army against the Hittite Empire at the Battle of Kadesh, one of the largest chariot battles ever fought. Neither side won outright, and years later Ramesses concluded with the Hittites the earliest surviving peace treaty in history — a landmark of ancient diplomacy.
The great builder
Across ancient Egypt he raised temples, statues and a new capital, Pi-Ramesses. His masterpiece, the rock-cut temples at Abu Simbel, still guard the Nile with colossal images of the king. Centuries later a toppled statue of this ruler inspired Shelley’s poem “Ozymandias”, turning Ramesses into a meditation on the impermanence of even the mightiest power.
Influence
Ramesses II's long, prosperous and monument-filled reign became the model of pharaonic greatness, so dominant that nine later kings took his name.
Legacy
His colossal statues — and Shelley's poem 'Ozymandias', inspired by one of them — made him a symbol of imperial power and its impermanence.
Connections
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ramesses II?
Ramesses II (c. 1303–1213 BC), called Ramesses the Great, was Egypt's most powerful New Kingdom pharaoh, known for the Battle of Kadesh, monumental building and a 66-year reign.
What is Ramesses II famous for?
He is famous for his long reign, the Battle of Kadesh and the first known peace treaty, and his colossal monuments such as the temples at Abu Simbel.
Citations & Sources
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