Background
Ramses, or Ramesses was born about 1303 B. C. He was the son of Seti I. Prior to his accession as sole ruler in 1304 B. C. , Ramses had been coregent with his father.
(The temples of Abu Simbel have fascinated travelers since...)
The temples of Abu Simbel have fascinated travelers since they became known to the Western world in the nineteenth century. And since the 1960s when the rising waters created by the Aswan High Dam threatened to engulf the site, visitors' imaginations have been captivated by the elaborate international rescue operation, described by the author as ''a great moment that no one will ever forget: the most advanced technology of the twentieth century was used to save one of the most amazing achievements of a civilization that preceeded it by 3,300 years.'' Prepared by one of the world's best-known Egyptologists, Dr. Zahi Hawass, this lavishly illustrated book is the ideal companion on a visit to the unique monuments of Abu Simbel.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9774246233/?tag=2022091-20
(This account of the ruler's life, from boyhood through hi...)
This account of the ruler's life, from boyhood through his military campaigns, also includes explanations and details of Egyptian temple building, supplemented with fine photographs of Egyptian artifacts
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0517534002/?tag=2022091-20
(Presents the life and accomplishments of one of Egypt's g...)
Presents the life and accomplishments of one of Egypt's greatest pharaohs and describes the time in which he lived.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0766025624/?tag=2022091-20
Ramses, or Ramesses was born about 1303 B. C. He was the son of Seti I. Prior to his accession as sole ruler in 1304 B. C. , Ramses had been coregent with his father.
During the last years of Seti I the reins of government had slackened, and the first 3 years of Ramses' reign seem to have been occupied with setting in order the internal affairs of Egypt. Early in his reign he undertook the task of securing an adequate water supply for the gold-mining expeditions to and from the Wadi el-Allaqi in Lower Nubia. Ramses' royal residence, known as Per-Ramesse, the "House of Ramses, " was situated in the Delta. Its site is still a matter of debate; various scholars have identified it with the cities of Tanis and Qantir in the eastern half of the Delta. The situation of the residence in this area was convenient for a pharaoh so concerned with events in Palestine and Syria.
The outstanding feature of Ramses II's reign was his protracted struggle with the Hittites. An inscription of year 4 of his reign, at the Nahr el-Kalb near Beirut, records his first Asiatic campaign. In year 5 he launched a major attack on the Hittite Empire from his base in northern Palestine and Phoenicia. During the course of this offensive, Ramses at Qadesh fought the greatest battle of his career. Although neither side could claim victory, Ramses never ceased to boast on his monuments of his own part in the battle. Strategically, however, the result was a defeat for the Egyptians, who were obliged to retire homeward. The sight of the Pharaoh's army retreating encouraged many of the petty states of Palestine to revolt, and in year 6 or 7 and in year 8 Ramses was obliged to suppress uprisings in the area. By year 10 Ramses was again on the Nahr el-Kalb, and the next year he broke the Hittite defenses and invaded Syria. Although he penetrated deep into Hittite territory, he found it impossible to hold indefinitely against Hittite pressure territories so far away from base, and in year 21 a treaty was concluded which terminated 16 years of hostilities between Egypt and the Hittites. After the restoration of peace, relations between the two powers became friendly, and a regular exchange of diplomatic correspondence ensued. In year 34 Ramses married the eldest daughter of the Hittite king. In addition to his wars in Palestine and Syria, Ramses vigorously combated Libyan incursions into the Delta. No pharaoh ever surpassed the building achievements of Ramses II. Among the most famous of his constructions are his temple at Abydos, his funerary temple, known as the Ramesseum, at Thebes, and the great rockcut temple at Abu Simbel in Nubia.
(This account of the ruler's life, from boyhood through hi...)
(The temples of Abu Simbel have fascinated travelers since...)
(Presents the life and accomplishments of one of Egypt's g...)
In year 34 Ramses married the eldest daughter of the Hittite king.