Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great, was one of the most famous rulers of ancient Egypt.
A Long and Powerful Reign
Ramesses II ruled during the New Kingdom, a period when Egypt was a major power in the eastern Mediterranean and Near East.
His reign is particularly associated with military campaigns, royal monuments, religious building projects, and the famous conflict with the Hittites.
One of the most important episodes of his reign was the Battle of Kadesh, which was prominently represented in the decoration of his monuments.
The Ramesseum
On the west bank of Luxor stands the Ramesseum, Ramesses II's great funerary temple.
Built of sandstone, the temple included pylons, courtyards, a large hypostyle hall, chapels, kitchens, bakeries, and storage areas. Its walls were decorated with scenes depicting royal battles, religious ceremonies, and funerary rituals. A colossal statue of Ramesses II once stood within the complex. The Ministry notes that the surviving statue was more than 17 meters high and weighed approximately 1,000 tons.
Abu Simbel
Ramesses II also left one of Egypt's most famous monuments in Abu Simbel, in southern Egypt.
The Great Temple was cut directly into the rock and is dominated by four colossal seated statues of the king.
Inside, colossal images of Ramesses lead toward a sanctuary dedicated to several deities, including a deified form of Ramesses II himself.
A King of Monuments
Ramesses II's name appears on monuments and statues across Egypt.
From Luxor to Abu Simbel and from temples to royal statues, his building program left an enormous physical record of his reign.
Why Is Ramesses II Important?
Ramesses II is important not simply because of the number of monuments associated with him.
His reign provides a remarkable window into New Kingdom kingship, warfare, religion, architecture, and royal representation.
More than three thousand years later, his monuments remain among the most recognizable symbols of ancient Egypt.
Official Sources
Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities — The Ramesseum: Temple of Ramses II
Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities — Abu Simbel