Ramses II was the most powerful, most celebrated, and most imitated pharaoh in all of ancient Egyptian history. Known to his own people as Userma’atre’setepenre, meaning “Keeper of Harmony and Balance, Strong in Right, Elect of Ra,” King Ramses II ruled Egypt for an astonishing 66 years, from 1279 to 1213 BC. He was the third pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt, and by the time of his death at roughly 90 years old, entire generations of Egyptians had been born and died knowing no other ruler. Nine subsequent pharaohs took his name in his honour, and he is remembered today simply as Ramses the Great.
Who Was Ramses II?
Ramses II was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh who reigned during what historians consider the height of Egypt’s imperial power and glory. He led military campaigns across the ancient Near East, constructed temples and monuments on a scale no ruler before or after could match, and signed the world’s first known peace treaty. He was declared a living god during his own lifetime, an honour rarely granted to any Egyptian king.
According to Wikipedia’s article on Ramesses II, the ancient scholar Manetho recorded his reign as 66 years and 2 months, making it the second longest in all of Egyptian history. He made Egypt extraordinarily rich through conquest and trade, outlived most of his wives and nearly all of his children, and left memorials scattered across the entire ancient world.
When Was Ramses II Born? Early Life and Rise to Power
Birth and Family Background
Ramses II was born around 1303 BC to Pharaoh Seti I and his wife Queen Tuya. His grandfather, Ramses I, had elevated their commoner family to royalty through military distinction. Growing up in Luxor alongside his brothers, the young Ramses received a thorough education in astronomy, mathematics, geometry, and religion.
A Prince Groomed for Greatness
His rise was unusually swift, even by royal standards. Ramses was given the rank of captain in the Egyptian army when he was just ten years old. His father, recognising his potential, made him co-regent and took him along on military campaigns while he was still a teenager. When his older brother died, Ramses was formally declared prince regent at the age of 14.
By the time Seti I died and Ramses became sole pharaoh in 1279 BC, he was approximately 24 years old and already had extensive experience in both governance and warfare. At twenty-five, he had already been living an adult life for at least ten years, had married for the first time at fifteen, and had already fathered several children.
What Was Ramses II Known For? His Greatest Achievements
Military Campaigns and Conquests
Ramses II commanded an Egyptian army that may have numbered as many as 100,000 men. Early in his reign, he secured Egypt’s maritime borders by defeating the Sherden sea pirates who had been attacking cargo vessels along the Mediterranean coast. He used a clever trap, placing a small naval force at the mouth of the Nile to lure the pirates in before launching a full ambush from both sides.
He then turned his attention north, launching campaigns into Canaan, Syria, and Nubia to restore and expand Egypt’s borders. During the eighth and ninth years of his reign, he successfully captured the Hittite-held cities of Dapur and Tunip, further cementing his reputation as a fearless and tactically skilled commander.
The Battle of Kadesh
The most defining military moment in the reign of Ramses II was the Battle of Kadesh, fought around 1274 BC against the Hittite Empire under King Muwatalli II. It is considered the earliest well-documented battle in all of human history and may have been the largest chariot battle ever fought, with an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 chariots involved on both sides.
Ramses led his army north to retake Kadesh in modern-day Syria, but was lured into an ambush by Hittite spies who gave him false information about the enemy’s position. Surrounded and vastly outnumbered, Ramses personally led a desperate counterattack with his household guard until reinforcements finally arrived. The battle ended in a stalemate rather than a decisive victory for either side. Ramses, however, returned home and ordered magnificent murals painted across temple walls depicting himself as the single-handed hero of the hour.
The World’s Oldest Peace Treaty
Egypt and the Hittites continued fighting for another sixteen years after Kadesh. Finally, in 1258 BC, Ramses II and Hittite king Hattusili III signed a formal peace agreement. This document is recognised as the earliest known peace treaty in world history whose text has survived. It was recorded in two versions, one in Egyptian hieroglyphs and one in Akkadian cuneiform, and both versions still exist today. A replica of the Akkadian clay tablet version is displayed at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.
A Monument Builder Like No Other
The building programme of Ramses II was the largest ever undertaken by any Egyptian pharaoh. Among his most celebrated works:
Abu Simbel: Two enormous temples carved directly into a cliff face in Nubia. At the entrance to the larger temple, four colossal seated statues of Ramses stand more than 60 feet tall. He built six temples in Nubia alone.
The Ramesseum: His grand funerary temple in the Valley of the Kings, which contained a magnificent library holding around 10,000 papyrus scrolls.
Pi-Ramesses: A full-scale capital city he founded in the Nile Delta, renowned for its gardens, orchards, and pleasant waterways, used as the primary base for his campaigns in Asia.
Karnak and Abydos: He completed the famous Hypostyle Hall at Karnak and built temples at Abydos honouring both his father Seti I and himself.
Ramses also had a bold habit of inscribing his own name on the monuments of his predecessors, ensuring that his presence felt inescapable throughout Egypt. There was barely a site of any importance in the ancient land that did not display the name of Ramses II.
Ramses II’s Wife: Queen Nefertari and His Family Life
The Great Royal Wife Nefertari
Ramses II had more than 200 wives and concubines over the course of his extraordinarily long life. His first and most beloved queen was Nefertari, who was given the title of Royal Wife of the Pharaoh. The smaller of the two temples at Abu Simbel was dedicated to her and to the goddess of love, widely interpreted by historians as evidence of genuine personal affection between the royal couple. Nefertari appears to have died relatively early in his reign. Her tomb in the Valley of the Queens at Thebes is considered one of the most beautifully decorated in all of Egypt.
Other Wives and Children
Other notable wives included Isetnofret, who bore him several children including his eventual successor; Meritamen and Nebettawy, both daughters of Ramses who later became royal wives; and Maathorneferure, a Hittite princess given to Ramses as part of the peace settlement with the Hittites.
Historical estimates suggest Ramses II fathered at least 96 sons and 60 daughters, with some scholars placing the total well above 150 children. He outlived the majority of them. When he finally died, it was his thirteenth son, Merneptah, who ascended to the throne.
Famous Statues of Ramses II in Egypt
The legacy of Ramesses II is powerfully reflected in the colossal statues he commissioned across Egypt. These monuments were not just artistic works but strategic symbols of authority, designed to present him as a divine and eternal ruler. Placed in key cities and temple complexes, they reinforced his dominance throughout the empire.
The Statue at the Grand Egyptian Museum
A standout example is the massive red granite statue at the Grand Egyptian Museum. Standing over 10 meters tall, it portrays Ramses II in idealized form, emphasizing strength, balance, and divine kingship. Now positioned at the museum’s entrance, it serves as a striking introduction to Egypt’s ancient grandeur.
The Colossus of Memphis
In Memphis, a 10-meter-long limestone statue of Ramses II lies displayed horizontally. Despite damage, its fine detailing, musculature, facial features, and royal symbols, highlights the skill of ancient craftsmen. As Memphis was a major capital, this statue reinforced royal authority at the center of power.
The Statues of Abu Simbel
At the Abu Simbel Temples, four colossal seated statues—each about 20 meters high—are carved into the temple façade. These monumental figures were built to project power, commemorate military success, and assert control over Nubia. They remain among the most iconic images of ancient Egypt.
The Statues at Kalabsha
Smaller statues and reliefs of Ramses II at the Kalabsha Temple show how his image endured long after his reign. Later builders continued to associate with his legacy, using his likeness as a symbol of strength and legitimacy.
Together, these statues demonstrate how Ramses II used monumental art to secure his legacy. Across Egypt, they remain lasting symbols of a ruler who mastered the power of image as much as empire.
Was Ramses II the Pharaoh of Moses and the Exodus?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions about King Ramses II, largely because of his popular portrayal in films and media as the pharaoh who confronted Moses. The historical and archaeological evidence for this connection is, however, disputed.
According to Wikipedia’s entry on Ramesses II, numerous Egyptologists have found no archaeological or historical evidence linking Ramses II specifically to the Exodus narrative. In 2023, Mostafa Waziry, then secretary-general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, stated publicly that no such evidence exists. Academic research has also found no evidence of large-scale foreign slave labour in state building projects of the Ramesside period. The Hyksos, not the Ramesside pharaohs, are considered by some scholars to be a more plausible fit for elements of the biblical account. The connection between Ramses II and Moses remains a matter of popular storytelling rather than confirmed historical record.
How Did Ramses II Die?
Old Age and Physical Decline
By the time of his death around 1213 BC, Ramses II was approximately 90 years old. Examination of his mummy has revealed that he suffered from severe dental disease, arthritis, hardening of the arteries, and heart disease in his final years. The average ancient Egyptian lived only into their 30s, meaning Ramses outlived the expected lifespan of his society by an extraordinary margin. Many ordinary Egyptians reportedly believed the world would end when he died.
The Cause of Death
In 2020, Egyptian scholar Ali Gomaa announced that testing on the Ramses II mummy suggested death by suffocation. The prominent Egyptologist Zahi Hawass, however, has pointed out that the lungs are not present in the mummy, making it impossible to confirm this conclusively. The cause of death remains a matter of ongoing scholarly discussion.
Did Ramses II Die in the Red Sea?
No. The idea that Ramses II drowned in the Red Sea is linked to the popular but historically unsupported theory that he was the pharaoh of the Exodus. His mummy was discovered intact and his remains show no signs consistent with drowning. There is no archaeological evidence to support the Red Sea narrative.
How Is the Ramses II Body Not Decayed? The Mummy Explained
The mummy of Ramses II is one of the best-preserved royal mummies ever found, and it continues to draw scientific study and public fascination. After his death, he was buried in tomb KV7 in the Valley of the Kings. Ancient priests later moved his body to a hidden royal cache to protect it from tomb robbers. It was discovered in that location in 1881 and is now displayed at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
The Science of Mummification
The preservation of the Ramses II body comes down to the ancient Egyptian art of mummification combined with the extremely dry environment of the tomb. The process involved removing internal organs, treating the body with natron salt, applying oils and resins, and wrapping the remains in linen. These steps effectively halted bacterial decay by removing moisture, which microorganisms need to survive.
Modern examination of the mummy has revealed striking physical details. Ramses II had a long, narrow face, a prominent nose, and a massive jaw. His hair, still partially intact, shows a reddish tone, suggesting he may have been a natural redhead. Scientists have confirmed he stood approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, which was above average for an ancient Egyptian man.
The Ramses II Passport
One of the most memorable stories connected to the Ramses II mummy is that when it was transported to France in 1974 for conservation work, the Egyptian government issued it an official passport. His occupation was listed as “King (deceased).” Upon arrival in Paris, the mummy was received with full head-of-state honours at the airport.
Why Was Ramses II Called Ozymandias?
The name Ozymandias is the ancient Greek transliteration of one of Ramses II’s royal titles. In Egyptian, he was known as Userma’atre, which Greek speakers rendered phonetically as Ozymandias. The name became widely known in the Western world through Percy Bysshe Shelley’s 1818 poem of the same name, which imagines a crumbling desert statue with the boastful inscription inviting the world to look upon mighty works and despair. The poem uses Ramses II as a symbol of human ambition and the inevitable passage of time.
The name Ozymandias has since appeared across literature, film, and television as a shorthand for the pride of power and the humbling effect of history. It is a remarkable footnote to the legacy of Ramses II that a poem written about his ruins became one of the most famous poems in the English language.
The Ramses II Red Granite Statue
Among the most celebrated physical legacies of Ramses II is his red granite statue, originally standing in the ancient city of Memphis. It is a magnificent example of the colossal portrait sculpture that Ramses commissioned throughout his reign. He erected more statues of himself than any other pharaoh in Egyptian history. Many of these still exist, scattered across museums and archaeological sites around the world, from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo to the British Museum in London.
A Timeline of Ramses II’s Life
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Born to Pharaoh Seti I and Queen Tuya | c. 1303 BC |
| Appointed captain of the army at age 10 | c. 1293 BC |
| Named prince regent following the death of his older brother | c. 1289 BC |
| Becomes sole Pharaoh of Egypt and marries Nefertari | 1279 BC |
| Defeats the Sherden sea pirates raiding Egypt’s coast | 1277 BC |
| Fights the Battle of Kadesh against the Hittite Empire | 1274 BC |
| Signs the world’s oldest surviving peace treaty with the Hittites | 1258 BC |
| Completes the twin temples at Abu Simbel | c. 1244 BC |
| Dies at approximately 90 years of age, succeeded by his thirteenth son Merneptah | c. 1213 BC |
| Mummy discovered in a royal cache and placed in the Cairo Museum | 1881 AD |
Frequently Asked Questions About Ramses II
Why is Ramses II so famous?
Ramses II is famous because he combined military power, architectural ambition, and diplomatic skill on a scale no other Egyptian pharaoh matched. He ruled for 66 years at the height of Egypt’s imperial power, built monuments that still stand today, signed the world’s first peace treaty, and left a physical legacy so vast that nine successive pharaohs took his name in tribute.
How many wives did Ramses II have?
Ramses II had more than 200 wives and concubines. His most beloved queen was Nefertari. Other major wives included Isetnofret, Meritamen, Nebettawy, and the Hittite princess Maathorneferure.
How many children did Ramses II have?
He fathered at least 96 sons and 60 daughters, with some estimates placing the total above 150 children. He outlived most of them and was succeeded by his thirteenth son, Merneptah.
How old was Ramses II when he died?
Ramses II died at approximately 90 years old, an extraordinary age for any era, and especially remarkable in ancient Egypt where the average lifespan was around 35 years.
When did Ramses II rule?
Ramses II ruled Egypt from 1279 BC to 1213 BC, a reign of 66 years and 2 months, the second longest in Egyptian history.
What was Ramses II’s height?
Based on examination of his mummy, Ramses II stood at approximately 5 feet 7 inches (around 170 cm), which was considered above average for an ancient Egyptian man.
The Enduring Legacy of King Ramses II
Ramses II stands as one of the most consequential figures in the entire span of human history. He ruled Egypt at its last and greatest peak of imperial power. He built on a scale that still astonishes modern engineers and architects. He conducted diplomacy that laid the groundwork for concepts of international law still relevant today. And he lived long enough to see his own legend become mythology.
After his death, Egypt began a long, slow decline from which its ancient civilisation would never fully recover. But the name of Ramses II endured. Nine pharaohs took it for themselves. Poets wrote about his ruins. Scientists travelled from across the world to study his body. Nations issued him a passport. His face, carved four thousand years ago into the sandstone cliffs of Abu Simbel, still looks out across the Nile valley with the same commanding authority it has always projected.
Whether you know him as Ramses the Great, as Pharaoh Ramses II, as Ozymandias, or simply as the greatest king who ever ruled the ancient world, the story of this remarkable man remains one of the most captivating in all of human history.