RAMSSES II: — The Greatest Pharaoh Of Ancient Egypt!

When we talk about ancient Egypt and its Pharaohs, one name which comes to mind as one of the greatest pharaohs of all times is Ramesses II, the 3rd pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty. He has been termed as one of the greatest Pharaohs of all time in the history of ancient Egypt.

Let’s find out why.

Ramsses II, in ancient Egyptian texts, means “Ra, who bore him” was the third pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt. Along with Thutmose III, he is considered most often than not the greatest, most celebrated and the most powerful pharaoh of the New Kingdom; which was in it the most powerful period of ancient Egypt.

He was believed to have been chosen by the Egyptian Sun-God, ‘Ra’ to rule over Egypt. He was appointed as the Prince Regent at the age of 14 by his father Seti. According to most Egyptologists, he was believed to have ascended the throne on 31st May 1297 B.C. Also, according to historical records, most parts of his early years were spent building cities, temples and monuments. He also established the city of Pi-Ramesses in the Nile Delta and used it as a staging point for his campaign against Syria. According to another historical record, Ramsses was known by the name ‘Userma’atre’setepenre’ to his people and which means “keeper of the Harmony and Balance, strong in right. Elect of Ra.”

As typical of all Egyptian pharaohs, in their early period, Ramsses II was also engaged in long military campaigns against the Nubians, The Hittites and the Sherden Sea Pirates. It is believed that only in his second year of reign, he decisively defeated the Sherden Sea Pirates’, who were wreaking havoc along Egypt’s Mediterranean coast by attacking cargo vessels travelling the sea routes to Egypt. His military tactics and strategies were highlighted during this campaign and which also enabled him greatly to defeat the Nubians and Hittites in his later campaigns. He wisely and strategically posted troops and ships and waited patiently for the sea pirates to attack. He then launched a sudden attack on the pirates, who were caught by surprise and before they could recover from this sudden onslaught, they were defeated and captured in a single action! Hence, Ramsses II was successful in effectively proving his military prowess and eradicating the sea piracy problem from Egypt’s shorelines!

His next campaign was against the Hittites in Syria. The Hittites had effectively taken almost all of Syria, leaving Egypt’s influence only in the region of Canaan. The campaign against the Hittites started in his fourth year of reign. He is also believed to have built factories, chariots and shields in his new city of Pi-Ramsses, which enabled him to wage a long war against the resurgent Hittites.

It is further believed that these factories produced 1,000 weapons in a week, 250 chariots in two weeks and 1,000 shields in a week and a half! It was only after these preparations did Ramsses begin his campaign against the Hittite empire. It is also been believed that the Egyptian forces were caught in an ambush, and were vastly outnumbered, but due to the military prowess of Ramsses II, quickly turned the tide of the battle in their favour by launching a vicious counter-attack and overpowering their vastly superior enemies!

Ramsses II now got to be recognized as the greatest military strategist and tactician. He proved that he was the greatest military strategist by again defeating the Hittite revolt in his seventh year of rule and later on against the Nubians. Ramsses II was successful in his campaigns in Libya. After reigning for 30 years, Ramsses II joined a select group which included only a handful of Egypt’s long-lived rulers. In his 30th year, he celebrated a jubilee called the Sed festival, which was held to honour the pharaoh’s strength and to rejuvenate him!

Furthermore, it was only halfway through his 66-year reign that he had brought Egypt peace, stability and progress, secured its borders and extended his empire, and also is known for building great monuments and buildings across his vast empire.

It is still a mystery among many Egyptologists how did Ramsses II acquire such military prowess and skill and also effectively build such a vast empire!