About this book:

Enter the world of Ramses the Great, one of ancient Egypt's most iconic pharaohs. Ruling for an extraordinary sixty-six years, Ramses II transformed the New Kingdom through relentless ambition, military prowess, and unparalleled building projects. Born into a military family that founded the 19th Dynasty, he was meticulously trained for kingship under his father Seti I, learning the arts of statecraft, warfare, and religion from a young age. Ascending the throne in his mid-twenties, Ramses immediately faced the challenges of consolidating power and asserting Egypt's dominance on a volatile world stage.

This biography delves into the defining moments of his reign, from the strategic decision to build a grand new capital at Pi-Ramesses and the organization of his formidable army, to the dramatic and hotly contested Battle of Kadesh against the Hittite Empire, a clash he immortalized through monumental propaganda. Explore his campaigns across Syria, Nubia, and Libya, and the groundbreaking peace treaty with the Hittites that ushered in an era of unprecedented diplomacy, sealed by royal marriages. Discover the complex dynamics of his vast royal family, including his beloved queen Nefertari and the influential sons and daughters who populated his court. The book also examines his role as the nation's chief priest, his mastery of religious ritual, his unparalleled thirteen Sed festivals of renewal, and the divine status he projected through his rule.

Above all, witness the sheer scale of Ramses' ambition etched in stone. From the awe-inspiring rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel in Nubia, designed to project Egyptian power and deify the king, to the vast additions at Thebes, including his magnificent mortuary temple the Ramesseum and interventions at Karnak and Luxor, his monuments became the very fabric of Egypt. The narrative follows his exceptionally long latter years, the challenges of outliving many heirs, his death and elaborate burial, and the remarkable journey of his mummy through millennia. This comprehensive account reveals how Ramses II consciously crafted an enduring legacy, ensuring his name would echo through history as Egypt's greatest builder, warrior, and ruler, a figure whose impact continues to fascinate and inform our understanding of the ancient world.

What You'll Find Inside:

• A comprehensive biography detailing Ramses II's life from his military family origins to his over sixty-six-year reign.
• Explores the complex geopolitical rivalry with the Hittite Empire, including the Battle of Kadesh and the subsequent landmark peace treaty.
• Showcases Ramses II's unprecedented monumental building program across Egypt and Nubia, from Pi-Ramesses to Abu Simbel and Thebes.
• Examines the structure of the royal court, the roles of his principal queens like Nefertari and Isetnofret, and the dynamics of his vast royal family.
• Provides insights into ancient Egyptian religion, focusing on the Pharaoh's divine role, state cults, and the significance of his numerous Sed festivals.

Who's It For:

This book is for anyone fascinated by ancient Egypt, particularly the power and grandeur of its New Kingdom era. Readers interested in the life and accomplishments of one of history's most famous rulers, Ramses the Great, will find a comprehensive account. It is also well-suited for those curious about ancient warfare, diplomacy, religion, and monumental architecture.