History: Ramses II's Life

Ramses II was born around 1303 B.C. in the Eastern Nile Delta.  Ramses II co-ruled with his aging father until Seti I died.  After his father's death, Ramses II took the throne of Egypt in 1279 B.C. when he was only twenty-four.  Before he had become Pharaoh, Ramses the Great was already a well-known prince with respect from the Egyptian people.  He died at the age of 90 in 1213 B.C. from natural causes when his son Meneptah continued along with the nineteenth dynasty.  In between his rule of 66 years, Ramses II had many great accomplishments and achievements under his name. 

Ramses II was as proud of his family as he was of his battles and building projects.  No other queen has been featured in so many paintings, carvings, and temples as Ramses II's first wife Nefertari.  Although Ramses the Great had at least five known wives, Nefertari was by far his most loved of them all.  Including Nefertari, Ramses II's wives included Isinofre, Tausert, who was Ramses II's eventual successor, Merneptah, Merytamun, and Matnefrure, the Hittite princess.  With his wives, Ramses is believed to have more than 100 children, including around 52 sons and 50 daughters.  Although new discoveries have led archeologists to the discovery of a large tomb containing most of Ramses the Great's sons, no identified daughter of the great Pharaoh have been found. 

Ramses II entered his first lead battle at the age of twenty-two when there was a small revolt in Nubia that drew his attention.  The conflict was resolved eventually and there are pictures that lead discoverers to believe that not only did Ramses' small sons go with him, but they fought against the rebels as well.  The main conflict throughout his entire reign, however, was with the Hittites.  Eventually after realizing that no side was coming any closer to winning than they had in the last 60 years or so, Ramses the Great and the Hittite king made the first ever recorded peace treaty between two nations.  As a sign of his content and the unity of the once two enemies, Ramses II decided to marry his last known wife; the Hittite princess Matnefrure.

The great Ramses was also known for his extensive building programs that were the most a ruler had ever built.

Ramses II is one of the most known about Pharaohs of ancient Egypt.  Without his vast army and great buildings, he may not have been so well known. 

 

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