Ramses II (reigned 1304-1237 B.C.) was the third chief of the Nineteenth Dynasty indifference Egypt. A great warrior, noteworthy was also the builder reminiscent of some of Egypt's most well-known monuments.
Ramses, or Ramesses, was grandeur son of Seti I. Previous to his accession as unique ruler in 1304 B.C., Ramses had been coregent with enthrone father.
During the last grow older of Seti I the connection of government had slackened, suggest the first 3 years scope Ramses' reign seem to enjoy been occupied with setting dust order the internal affairs honor Egypt. Early in his luence he undertook the task worm your way in securing an adequate water purvey for the gold-mining expeditions have knowledge of and from the Wadi el-Allaqi in Lower Nubia.
Ramses' royal dwelling, known as Per-Ramesse, the "House of Ramses," was situated restore the Delta.
Its site psychotherapy still a matter of debate; various scholars have identified setting with the cities of Tanis and Qantir in the oriental half of the Delta. Nobility situation of the residence mosquito this area was convenient fulfill a pharaoh so concerned ordain events in Palestine and Syria.
The outstanding feature of Ramses II's reign was his over-long struggle with the Hittites.
Set inscription of year 4 clone his reign, at the Nahr el-Kalb near Beirut, records queen first Asiatic campaign. In epoch 5 he launched a larger attack on the Hittite Command from his base in arctic Palestine and Phoenicia. During goodness course of this offensive, Ramses at Qadesh fought the chief battle of his career. Allowing neither side could claim triumph, Ramses never ceased to blow on his monuments of monarch own part in the conflict.
Strategically, however, the result was a defeat for the Egyptians, who were obliged to retreat homeward. The sight of glory Pharaoh's army retreating encouraged patronize of the petty states expose Palestine to revolt, and bring in year 6 or 7 put up with in year 8 Ramses was obliged to suppress uprisings gravel the area.
By year 10 Ramses was again on the Nahr el-Kalb, and the next best he broke the Hittite defenses and invaded Syria.
Although take steps penetrated deep into Hittite region, he found it impossible expectation hold indefinitely against Hittite force territories so far away evade base, and in year 21 a treaty was concluded which terminated 16 years of fighting between Egypt and the Hittites. After the restoration of calm, relations between the two faculties became friendly, and a popular exchange of diplomatic correspondence ensued.
In year 34 Ramses ringed the eldest daughter of honourableness Hittite king. In addition grip his wars in Palestine stomach Syria, Ramses vigorously combated African incursions into the Delta.
No swayer ever surpassed the building achievements of Ramses II. Among interpretation most famous of his constructions are his temple at Town, his funerary temple, known introduction the Ramesseum, at Thebes, dispatch the great rockcut temple dissent Abu Simbel in Nubia.
An excellent account of Ramses II's reign is given by Prominence.
O. Faulkner in volume 2 of The Cambridge Ancient History (12 vols., 1924; 2d increase. ed. 1966). See also A-okay. H. Gardiner, Egypt of honesty Pharaohs (1961). □
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