Pharaoh Ramesses II ruled ancient Egypt for nearly 70 years during the 13th century BCE. This period was known as a golden age of prosperity for Egypt. But was Ramesses a great leader, or was he just really good at promoting himself?
Ramesses II, often called “Ramesses the Great,” was known for his grand titles like “The strong bull, protector of Egypt.” Some people even think he might be the pharaoh from the biblical story of Exodus, where he supposedly forced the Hebrews to build his city, Pi-Ramesses. However, there’s no solid evidence that he used forced labor. Instead, Egyptians used skilled workers and soldiers who were paid for their work.
It’s hard to say if Ramesses was the pharaoh from Exodus. Some timelines suggest he could be, but there’s no evidence of a Hebrew population in Egypt during his reign. Plus, there are no records of a mass migration like the one described in Exodus.
Ramesses was known for his impressive propaganda skills. Like many pharaohs, he used propaganda to maintain control. His father, Seti I, had left Egypt wealthy and stable, and Ramesses wanted to keep it that way. He used both propaganda and military actions to boost his image.
One of Ramesses’ most famous military campaigns was against the Hittites at Kadesh. Although he claimed a great victory, the battle was actually a stalemate. Ramesses almost lost because he believed false information from spies. Despite this, he had stories of his “victory” carved into monuments across Egypt, showing how important military achievements were for a pharaoh’s reputation.
Despite the battle’s outcome, Ramesses eventually signed the first recorded peace treaty with the Hittites. This treaty was more of a mutual defense agreement, where both sides promised to help each other if attacked. This peace marked the start of a prosperous time for Egypt.
Ramesses spent a lot of money on building projects, like the famous Abu Simbel temples in Nubia. These projects were meant to show Egypt’s strength and honor the gods. However, Ramesses often replaced other pharaohs’ names on monuments with his own, which was a way to reinforce his legacy.
Ramesses ruled for nearly seven decades and left a lasting impression. His reign is a reminder that history is often told by those who hold power. While he may have exaggerated his achievements, his impact on Egypt is undeniable. Would we still talk about him today if he hadn’t been so good at telling his own story?
Imagine you are Ramesses the Great. Design a propaganda poster that highlights your achievements and strengths as a ruler. Use symbols, slogans, and imagery that would convince the people of Egypt of your greatness. Present your poster to the class and explain your choices.
Divide into two groups. One group will argue that Ramesses was a great leader who brought prosperity to Egypt, while the other group will argue that he was a master of propaganda who exaggerated his achievements. Use evidence from the article to support your arguments and engage in a respectful debate.
Create a timeline of the key events during Ramesses II’s reign. Include his military campaigns, building projects, and the signing of the peace treaty with the Hittites. Use visuals and brief descriptions to make your timeline engaging and informative.
Reenact the Battle of Kadesh in a role-play activity. Assign roles such as Ramesses, Hittite leaders, and Egyptian soldiers. Act out the events leading up to the battle, the battle itself, and the aftermath. Discuss how propaganda played a role in the portrayal of the battle’s outcome.
Research the first recorded peace treaty between Ramesses II and the Hittites. Create a presentation that explains the terms of the treaty, its significance, and how it influenced future diplomatic relations. Share your findings with the class.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
Pharaoh Ramesses II reigned for almost 70 years in the 13th century BCE. He presided over a golden age of Egyptian prosperity. But was he a model leader, or a master of propaganda?
Order! Who do we have on the stand? Ramesses II? Ahem, I believe you mean “The strong bull, protector of Egypt, who subdues foreign lands; rich in years, great in victories, chosen by Ra— whose justice is powerful—Ramesses, beloved of Amun.” But you may refer to him as Ramesses the Great.
Ramesses, Ramesses— I think I’ve heard of him. “Let my people go!” Yes, Your Honor, he was the pharaoh of Exodus, who forced enslaved Hebrews to build his extravagant capital city of Pi-Ramesses.
Objection, there’s no archaeological evidence that Ramesses used forced labor in his construction projects. Egyptians relied on highly trained artisans and craftsmen to build their cities and monuments. Menial labor, like quarrying and moving stones, was done by military soldiers and foreign mercenaries—all of whom were compensated for their work.
So he’s not the pharaoh from Exodus? It’s hard to say for certain. According to some timelines, Ramesses is the best candidate for that particular pharaoh. But there’s no evidence of any Hebrew population in Egypt during his reign, and certainly no records of a revolution or mass migration like the one described in Exodus.
Is that really so surprising? It’s not like Ramesses kept records of any other time he was defeated.
What do you mean? Our pharaoh here operated one of the largest propaganda machines in ancient history. Almost all pharaohs relied on propaganda to control their country, and Ramesses had particularly big shoes to fill. His father, Seti I, led Egypt to a period of great wealth and stability that Ramesses worked hard to maintain.
Through propaganda, yes, but also military glory. More like military aggression. By the end of Seti’s reign, he had established peace with the neighboring Hittites by guaranteeing Egyptian control over a sought-after region called Kadesh. But in the fifth year of his reign, Ramesses broke those agreements.
It wasn’t the most peaceful decision, but Ramesses believed a military victory would aid his efforts to restore Egypt’s reputation. And he was right! His victory over the Hittites cemented Ramesses’ persona as a heroic pharaoh of old.
Yeah, except he didn’t even win! His supposed victory was actually a stalemate in which the pharaoh’s arrogance almost cost Egypt the entire war. When two Hittite spies told Ramesses the enemy had fled in fear, he let his guard down, allowing his men to be ambushed. He played right into the Hittites’ trap and almost lost everything.
Yet the official story Ramesses had chiseled across Egypt cast himself as the battle’s greatest hero. Military achievements were important for legitimizing a pharaoh’s power, even if that meant a bit of exaggeration.
A bit? You can’t trust anything this guy says! If it wasn’t for the Hittites’ conflicting record, we’d still be buying Ramesses’ propaganda.
I propose that this court cannot judge any historical figure’s legacy by the stories they tell about themselves.
That seems reasonable to me. Fair enough. How’s this record then—the first recorded peace treaty in archaeological history signed by Ramesses and the Hittites?
“Peace treaty” is pretty generous. Ramesses begrudgingly agreed to a mutual defense contract, where Egyptians and Hittites would work together if attacked by an external enemy.
And what’s wrong with that? This peaceful end to the conflict marked the beginning of Ramesses’ prosperous reign—a golden age of Egyptian power and wealth.
True, but we have no idea if this wealth trickled down to everyday Egyptians or just financed Ramesses’ attempts to achieve immortality through stone. He spent his entire reign pouring money into projects for himself.
And one of the most famous, Abu Simbel, wasn’t even in Egypt! Abu Simbel was in Nubia to showcase Egypt’s strength and discourage a Nubian revolution. Besides, pharaohs were expected to invest in building projects for the gods.
Right, “for the gods,” which Ramesses was not. Pharaohs typically occupied a status between gods and mortals, but the location of Ramesses’ statue inside Abu Simbel positions him as their supposed equal. He even tore down existing temples to reuse their bricks in monuments to himself!
He tore down temples built by Akhenaten, a pharaoh who had attempted to impose monotheism. By destroying those temples, Ramesses reinforced his commitment to Egypt’s traditional religion.
That doesn’t account for why he frequently erased other pharaohs’ names on monuments and replaced them with his own.
Even pharaohs who had short reigns had numerous statues made of themselves—and Ramesses ruled for almost seven decades.
Well, he definitely made a lasting impression. Let’s face it, Your Honor, would we even be talking about him today if he hadn’t?
It’s often said that history is written by the winners, but in this courtroom, a winning record never guarantees the outcome.
Pharaoh – A ruler in ancient Egypt, considered a god as well as a political leader. – Example sentence: The pharaoh was responsible for maintaining order and overseeing the construction of monumental structures like the pyramids.
Ramesses – A name given to several Egyptian pharaohs, the most famous being Ramesses II, known for his military leadership and extensive building projects. – Example sentence: Ramesses II, often called Ramesses the Great, is remembered for his military campaigns and the construction of the temples at Abu Simbel.
Egypt – A country in northeastern Africa, home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, known for its pyramids, pharaohs, and the Nile River. – Example sentence: Ancient Egypt is renowned for its contributions to writing, architecture, and governance, which have influenced many cultures throughout history.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, often involving the analysis of causes and effects. – Example sentence: Understanding history helps us learn from past mistakes and successes to make informed decisions for the future.
Propaganda – Information, especially biased or misleading, used to promote a political cause or point of view. – Example sentence: During World War II, propaganda was used extensively to boost morale and encourage support for the war effort.
Battle – A military fight between groups, often part of a larger conflict or war. – Example sentence: The Battle of Hastings in 1066 was a pivotal moment in English history, leading to Norman control of England.
Treaty – A formal agreement between two or more states or countries, often to end a conflict or establish terms of peace. – Example sentence: The Treaty of Versailles officially ended World War I and imposed heavy reparations on Germany.
Legacy – Something handed down by a predecessor, often referring to cultural or historical impacts left by individuals or civilizations. – Example sentence: The legacy of the Roman Empire can be seen in modern legal systems, languages, and architectural styles.
Migration – The movement of people from one place to another, often for reasons such as economic opportunity, safety, or environmental factors. – Example sentence: The Great Migration saw millions of African Americans move from the rural South to urban areas in the North during the early 20th century.
Workers – Individuals engaged in physical or mental labor, often as part of an organized workforce. – Example sentence: During the Industrial Revolution, factory workers faced long hours and harsh conditions, leading to the rise of labor unions.
