With no royal blood, the first few pharaohs in Ramesses’ family worked very hard to make Egypt great again, especially expanding its hold in Asia. Ramesses’ family rose to prominence about half a century after the reign of Pharaoh Akhenaton (also known as Amenhotep IV) – the so-called heretic pharaoh who was not so enthusiastic about military expeditions in Asia, thereby reducing Egypt’s power in the region. Ramses the Great’s parents – Seti I (left) and Queen Tuya Greek name: Ozymandias Birth story and Family Most famous for: Third pharaoh of the 19 th Dynasty of Egypt Greatest pharaoh of the New Kingdom signing the world’s first peace accord (with the Hittites in 1258 BCE)Īccomplishments: Builder of several magnificent structures and the city of Pi-Ramesses Spouse: Over 100 wives, including his favorite Nefertari, Henutmire, Maathorneferure and IsetnofretĬhildren: Close to 200 children, including Amun-her-khepsef, Henuttawy, Bintanath, Khaemwaset, Merneptah, NebettawyĮpithets: “Ra is the one who bore him” “Great Ancestor” “The Ma’at of Ra is powerful” “Chosen of Ra”Īlso known as: Ramses, Rameses, Ramses the Great, “The Great Ancestor” Fast Facts about Ramesses IIīurial place: Originally buried at Tomb KV7 in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt

Who really was Ramesses II? And were all those stories about Ramses the Great crushing the Hittites true? takes an in-depth look into the birth story, family, military campaigns, and architectural feats of Ramesses II. To fully comprehend how big this pharaoh’s ego was one need look no further than to the imposing statues of him scattered across Egypt the ones at the Mountain Temple of Abu Simbel are nothing short of awe-inspiring.

In addition to his glossed-over military campaigns against the Hittites and the Libyans, Ramesses II is most famous for building some of the most magnificent structures of the ancient world. His over six-decade reign also makes him one of the longest-reigning rulers of ancient Egypt.

Regarded by many historians and Egyptologists as one of ancient Egypt’s most outstanding propagandists and diplomats, Ramesses II was a 19th-dynasty pharaoh who reigned from around 1279 to 1213 BC. 1303-1213) | Image: A giant Statue of Ramesses II at Luxor

Pharaoh ramses ii