RAMSES THE GREAT
* Warrior King and Son of Ra’
Ramses II was born about 1303 B.C.in the Eastern Nile Delta. Following the death of his grandfather Ramses I and father Seti I, Ramses II assumed the throne in 1279 B.C. He erected colossal monuments to himself in every major Egyptian city of his time. He built a great city called Pi-Ramses (House of Ramses), built temples in Abydos and Abu Simbel, added to the temples at karnak and Luxor. Ramses II marched some 20,000 troops north into Syria to defend his empire against Hittite invaders

Ramses II was the third King of Egypt’s 19th dynasty, part of a 400-year New Kingdom era that saw the expulsion of foreign rulers and a resurgence and expansion of the Egyptian Empire from Syria in the north to Nubia in the south. As a young crown prince, Ramses II was appointed a co-ruler by his aging father, Seti I, and fully inherited the throne at age 24 when his father died. Even before he became Pharaoh, the young prince was known as a courageous warrior.

At 22, he was sent to quell a minor revolt in Nubia. He brought along two little sons, and they took part in a chariot charge, according to a scene depicted in a carved relief on the walls of the Beit El-Wali Temple soputh of Aswan.

King size -family

After his ascent to the throne, the kingdom prospered and the young Pharaoh poured his energies and national treasures into building temples and monuments honoring his father, Egypt"s gods and himself.

And -verily- Ramses II built a king-size family with a considerable harem of wives and concubines. His favorite wife was the beautiful Nefertari, his chief queen and mother of his first born son and other children. Ancient statues and inscriptions suggest she often appeared at her husband"s side on state occasions and during religious ceremonies early in his reign.