Page 249 - Encyclopedia Of World History Vol IV

1550 berkshire encyclopedia of world history

the Hebrew exodus. However, the stela of Merneptah, skill, Ramses was able to maneuver his troops and even-
son of Ramses, does include the name “Israel” in a list of tually forced the Hittites to retreat.Within days the Egyp-
peoples conquered. tians and Hittites battled again to what most scholars
Ramses II began his reign at the age of twenty-five. In interpret as a draw. Nevertheless, the inscriptions on the
contrast to his grandfather Ramses I’s brief period on walls of the Ramesseum mortuary temple and the tem-
the throne (1293–1291 BCE), Ramses II led Egypt suc- ples at Karnak, Abydos, Abu Simbel, and Derr show
cessfully for sixty-seven years. Not only did the king iconographic depictions of a triumphant Egyptian army
solidify Egypt’s legacy throughout the world, he secured slaughtering its Hittite enemies, and the writings sing the
his family legacy by fathering many children. As a result praises of Ramses’ bravery and skill on the battlefield.
of his marriages and of relationships with women in his In addition to the ruler’s military brilliance, the reign
harem, Ramses sired more than one hundred sons and of Ramses II is further defined by colossal architecture
daughters. and detailed sculptures found throughout Egypt . One of
Two of his wives, Nefertari and Istonfret, are known in his greatest architectural marvels is the Great Temple at
Egyptian history, but there is not much information avail- Abu Simbel. The facade of the structure has four seated
able regarding the background of either queen. Nefertari figures of Ramses II. Each stands 65 feet high, and they
was Ramses’ first wife, and she gave birth to their initial have been sculpted directly from the mountain where the
child, the crown prince Amenhirkhopshef. Their family edifice is located.The temple also demonstrates a unique
also included two daughters, and three more sons. Nefer- feat of engineering in that when the sun rises on Febru-
tari died during the twenty-fourth year of his reign, and ary 22 and October 22 the light shines through the
Istonfret became queen shortly thereafter. Istonfret also entrance and illuminates three of the four gods seated
bore three sons, one of whom, Merneptah, would be the inside. Like the statues of Ramses, the gods have also
king’s successor. Primarily for political reasons, Ramses been carved directly from the mountain.
made international connections by marrying women Ramses II’s reign ended in 1237 BCE: Not only did the
from surrounding nations or having them become a part king lead the Egyptians successfully during his tenure as
of his harem. king, he lived more than ninety years. Sadly, the contents
The powerful pharaoh was also a great military strate- of Ramses’ tomb, like those of many others, fell into the
gist, a trait associated with his grandfather, who was also hands of robbers. Items such as bronze and wooden
a successful army officer. During his time on the throne, ushabtis (figures shaped like mummies) and a statue of
Ramses II battled several enemies, but among the most the king survived and are housed in museums through-
notable Egyptian foes were the Hittites to the north. Seti out Europe. Excavators also discovered the pharaoh’s
I had success in maintaining peace with them, particu- mummified body, which now lies in the Louvre. Ramses
larly at Egypt’s volatile Syrian border near the city of II’s magnificent accomplishments are firmly etched in
Kadesh. However, a revolt near Kadesh in 1275 BCE Egyptian history.
forced Ramses to take action against the Hittites. What
Theodore Burgh
followed is known as the “battle at Kadesh.” As the
Egyptian forces slowly moved north to the city, it See also Egypt, Ancient
appeared that they would have little difficulty with the
Hittites.They even captured two spies who divulged the
Hittites’ attack plans, but the men were designated plants Further Reading
who purposely gave false information to the Egyptians. Clayton, P. (1994). Chronicle of the pharaohs. New York: Thames and
Hudson.
Consequently, Ramses’ men marched into a waiting
Gardiner, S. A. (1961). Egypt of the pharaohs. Oxford, UK: Oxford Uni-
ambush. However, by employing his cunning military versity Press.