Ramses II, often called Ramses the Great, wasn’t just a ruler—he was a force of nature. Reigning for an astounding 66 years during the 13th century BCE, he left behind a legacy carved into stone, sung in hymns, and remembered in tales that survived thousands of years. Pharaohs came and went, but none could match Ramses in scale, ambition, and sheer impact. He wasn’t content to merely govern Egypt—he sought to immortalize his name through military might, religious devotion, colossal monuments, and cultural diplomacy. His reign marked a golden era of stability and glory for Egypt, during which art, architecture, and international prestige flourished. With a commanding presence, unmatched longevity, and a flair for divine propaganda, Ramses II secured his place not just as a king but as a god among men. These ten incredible achievements prove beyond doubt that Ramses II was, and still is, the greatest pharaoh to ever rule the sands of the Nile.
#10: The Battle of Kadesh and the World’s First Peace Treaty
Ramses II’s most famous military encounter, the Battle of Kadesh against the Hittites, was a turning point—not only in his life but in world diplomacy. Though the battle itself ended in a tactical stalemate, Ramses transformed it into a political victory through sheer narrative genius. He had detailed, heroic accounts of his role inscribed on temple walls across Egypt, depicting himself as a fearless warrior single-handedly turning the tide. But his true brilliance came afterward—when he signed the world’s first known peace treaty. This agreement between Egypt and the Hittites wasn’t just a political truce—it was a masterstroke that allowed Ramses to focus on building projects and securing Egypt’s borders without fear of northern aggression. By turning a battlefield impasse into a diplomatic triumph, Ramses redefined the power of perception and laid the groundwork for international treaties that echoed through history.
#9: The Monumental Temples of Abu Simbel
Few constructions on Earth command as much awe as the twin temples of Abu Simbel. Carved directly into a mountainside in Nubia, these temples were a declaration of divine power and a warning to Egypt’s southern neighbors. The façade alone features four colossal statues of Ramses himself, each towering over 65 feet high. Inside, scenes of his deification and military victories cover the walls, reinforcing his godlike image. But Abu Simbel wasn’t just about scale—it was about celestial precision. The temple was aligned so that, twice a year, the sun would illuminate the inner sanctum and light up the statues of the gods—and Ramses—within. This astronomical feat symbolized his eternal connection to the cosmos. Even in the 20th century, the relocation of Abu Simbel to save it from flooding during the Aswan Dam project was considered a marvel. The fact that modern engineers scrambled to preserve Ramses’s legacy speaks volumes about his enduring greatness.
#8: His Reign Lasted an Incredible 66 Years
Longevity in ancient times was rare—but ruling for 66 years as pharaoh? Practically divine. Ramses II outlived many of his children and even some of his successors. His prolonged reign allowed him to establish stability and usher in what many consider the peak of Egypt’s New Kingdom. During this time, he completed hundreds of building projects, led campaigns across Canaan and Nubia, and ensured Egypt’s dominance in the region. His continued presence on the throne meant consistency in leadership, economy, and international relations, all while constructing a near-mythical reputation. Generations of Egyptians were born, lived, and died under his rule, and many came to believe that Ramses would live forever. His very longevity became a symbol of divine favor, and his long life reinforced his image as a god-king beyond human limitation.
#7: The Ramesseum and the Power of Propaganda
Located on the west bank of the Nile near Thebes, the Ramesseum—Ramses II’s mortuary temple—was not just a place of worship, but an eternal monument to his greatness. Covered in inscriptions, statues, and battle scenes, it served as both a temple and a megaphone broadcasting his supremacy to future generations. One of the most iconic features is the massive fallen statue of Ramses that inspired Percy Bysshe Shelley’s poem Ozymandias, a work that ironically immortalized Ramses even as it reflected on the impermanence of power. The Ramesseum’s architecture combined artistry with imperial messaging. Its every column, courtyard, and carving were meant to declare Ramses is eternal. This temple wasn’t about humility—it was about overwhelming anyone who entered with the sheer magnitude of a king who ruled like a god and wasn’t afraid to let the world know it.
#6: The Father of Over 100 Children
Ramses II didn’t just extend his reign—he extended his bloodline. Historical records and temple reliefs indicate that he fathered over 100 children, possibly more, through his many wives and concubines. His favorite queen, Nefertari, bore him several sons and daughters, and their love story is etched into the walls of her spectacular tomb in the Valley of the Queens. His prolific family served more than personal or romantic purposes—it was a strategic move to solidify power. Many of his sons held high-ranking military and religious positions, ensuring Ramses’s influence reached into every corridor of Egyptian life. His daughters were often honored with priestess roles or married into key political alliances. His massive family was more than a legacy—it was an empire in itself. By spreading his bloodline throughout the kingdom, Ramses ensured that his presence lingered in Egyptian politics and worship long after his death, making his lineage almost as indomitable as his monuments.
#5: His Divine Status in His Own Lifetime
While it was common for pharaohs to be associated with gods, Ramses II took it a step further—he declared himself a living god. This wasn’t mere flattery from his subjects; Ramses institutionalized his deification. Statues of him were placed in temples alongside deities like Ra and Amun. He was portrayed in art not just as a ruler but as a divine being walking among mortals. In some temples, he received offerings and prayers typically reserved for the gods themselves. The Temple of Luxor even includes scenes of his divine birth, asserting that he was destined from the womb to rule by heavenly command. This manipulation of religion and iconography not only boosted his own authority but fused his legacy into Egypt’s spiritual framework. To worship the gods was, in many temples, to also worship Ramses—making his name echo through sacred chants and rituals for centuries.
#4: Nefertari’s Tomb—A Monument to Love and Power
Among Ramses II’s many architectural triumphs, one stands apart not for its size but for its emotion: the tomb of Queen Nefertari. Built in the Valley of the Queens, this masterpiece is widely considered the most beautiful tomb ever discovered in Egypt. Covered in vibrant, intricate wall paintings and celestial imagery, it was a divine gift from Ramses to the woman he loved most. Inscriptions describe Nefertari as “the one for whom the sun shines.” Her tomb was not just a resting place—it was a tribute to the goddess-like role she played in Ramses’s life and court. Through this act, Ramses displayed not just political wisdom but profound devotion. He understood that power wasn’t only projected through war and monuments—it could be immortalized through love. The existence of such an exquisite and personal monument deepens the human dimension of Ramses’s greatness, showing that even a god-king could love deeply—and leave behind proof of it carved into eternity.
#3: Master of Monumental Architecture
While many pharaohs built grand structures, Ramses built cities. Temples, pylons, statues, obelisks—his name was etched on every corner of the Nile. Some of these projects were renovations of older buildings, but Ramses wasn’t shy about carving over earlier names to make them his own. His most ambitious architectural feat was Pi-Ramesses, a vast city in the Nile Delta that became the capital during his reign. It boasted palaces, military barracks, temples, and massive storehouses. The city symbolized his military might and administrative brilliance. And then there were his obelisks—monolithic pillars of granite inscribed with his deeds, many of which still stand today (some far from Egypt, in Rome and Paris). His works weren’t just for the living. They were made to survive time itself, and many of them have. No pharaoh before or after left such a massive architectural footprint across Egypt and beyond. Through these stone giants, Ramses ensured that his legacy would literally stand the test of time.
#2: The International Icon of Egypt
Even during his life, Ramses II was known beyond Egypt’s borders. He married several foreign princesses to strengthen diplomatic ties, including a Hittite princess after the peace treaty, symbolizing unity between once-warring empires. His image was not only revered in Egypt but respected abroad. Traders, diplomats, and emissaries from neighboring regions knew his name and spoke of his grandeur. In later centuries, his memory was so powerful that the Greeks identified him with Ozymandias, and the Romans admired his statues. In the 19th century, when his mummy was discovered, it became one of the most significant finds in Egyptology. So potent was his legacy that in 1974, his body was flown to France for restoration—and received full military honors upon arrival. That’s how iconic Ramses was: even 3,000 years later, he was treated as royalty by modern nations. His image has become a symbol of Egypt itself, bridging ancient glory with modern fascination.
#1: He Became Immortal—Literally
Perhaps the greatest proof of Ramses II’s unmatched legacy is this: thousands of years after his death, we still speak his name. In Egyptian belief, true immortality came from being remembered. Ramses ensured that his name would not be forgotten by engraving it into every monument, temple, and stele in the land. His mummy is one of the best-preserved, and his face has been reconstructed and studied in detail. His reign has inspired poems, movies, documentaries, and museum exhibits. Shelley’s famous poem Ozymandias may ironically suggest fallen greatness, but in doing so, it ensured Ramses would live on in literature as well as history. His story embodies ambition, power, vision, and divine rule. He didn’t just build a kingdom—he built a legend. And in that, Ramses II achieved what every pharaoh dreamed of but few accomplished: eternal life in the hearts, minds, and imaginations of humanity.
Ramses II wasn’t merely a king—he was an architect of legacy. His reign blended divine authority with earthly power, strategy with spectacle, love with immortality. Through epic battles, grand monuments, visionary diplomacy, and timeless mythmaking, Ramses didn’t just rule Egypt—he became its eternal face. In every temple he built, every treaty he signed, and every statue that still gazes across desert sands, Ramses the Great left behind more than history. He left a legend. A legacy so vast that time itself has yet to wear it down.
