Ramses II

king of Egypt

Ramses II, Ramses also spelled Ramesses or Rameses, byname Ramses

the Great, (flourished 13th century BCE), third king of the 19th
dynasty (1292–1190 BCE) of ancient Egypt whose reign (1279–13 BCE) was the
second longest in Egyptian history. In addition to his wars with
the Hittites and Libyans, he is known for his extensive building programs and
for the many colossal statues of him found all over Egypt.

Background And Early Years Of Reign

Ramses’ family, of nonroyal origin, came to power some decades after the
reign of the religious reformer Akhenaton (Amenhotep IV, 1353–36 BCE) and
set about restoring Egyptian power in Asia, which had declined under
Akhenaton and his successor, Tutankhamen. Ramses’ father, Seti I, subdued a
number of rebellious princes in Palestine and southern Syria and waged war
on the Hittites of Anatolia in order to recover those provinces in the north that
during the recent troubles had passed from Egyptian to Hittite control. Seti
achieved some success against the Hittites at first, but his gains were only
temporary, for at the end of his reign the enemy was firmly established on
the Orontes River at Kadesh, a strong fortress defended by the river, which
became the key to their southern frontier.

During his reign Seti gave the crown prince Ramses, the future Ramses II, a
special status as regent. Seti provided him with a kingly household and harem,
and the young prince accompanied his father on his campaigns, so that when
he came to sole rule he already had experience of kingship and of war. It is
noteworthy that Ramses was designated as successor at an unusually young
age, as if to ensure that he would in fact succeed to the throne. He ranked as a
captain of the army while still only 10 years old; at that age his rank must
surely have been honorific, though he may well have been receiving military
training.