Pharaoh Ramesses II

Pharoah Ramesses II ruled for 67 years, was 92 years old when he died. Ramesses had over 100 sons and countless daughters. A tomb built for his sons has been discovered during the past year, Kings Valley #5 and is now being excavated.Ramesses II was one of the most powerful rulers in Egypts' history. Ramesses was not born of a royal family, but rather from a new blood line that began with his grandfather, Pa-ramessu, who was the Vizier and military general of the army for Horemheb ( the last Pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty). Horemheb, who also did not come to the throne from a royal line, but was the general in charge of the army for AKhenaten and Tutankhamun, did not have any heirs to succeed him and chose to leave his throne to Pa-ramessu, his general of the army. Pa-ramessu and his wife had a son named Seti (Ramses' father) who not only became a mighty and powerful ruler himself, but is credited with raising Egypts' glory to new heights. From the study of Ramses' mummy, he appears to have been well into his 90's at the time of his death, which was very rare in his day. Coming to the throne upon his father Setis' death, when he was approx. 16 years old, he had already been at Setis’ side as his Co-Regent. Ramses is also credited for his accomplishments in a number of military campaigns. His greatest being the "Battle of Kadesh". Eventually a peace treaty was agreed upon between himself and the Hittite King. Ramses is also believed by many to be the Pharaoh of Bible fame for letting the people of Israel go with their leader "Moses".Ramses built great temples and sculptures commemorating both his military exploits and as "Divine Pharaoh". This is evident at his beautiful temple dedicated to himself at Abu-Simbel. It contains enormous statues of himself alongside the Gods of Egypt. The temple is situated so that the sun shines through the entranceway on Ramses's statue only two days a year: on October 22 (his birthday) and February 22 (his coronation day). Also, to show his love for his Queen , he erected a smaller temple that was dedicated to his Royal Wife, Queen Nefertari. He also built a great city that contained his royal palace, Pi-Ramessu. .