The idea of humanism is mostly adeptly reflected in Renaissance art by a focus on the body itself, especially with sculpture, where many detailed portraits of the human body (such as the David) were created.
Most historians agree that Ramesses II may be the greatest icon and most highly-praised pharaoh of the Egyptian Empire.
Since taking the throne (allegedly when he was a teenager), he led the construction of a vast amount of cities, temples and monuments. Ramesses also commanded several campaigns on Syria, Nubia and Libya with succesful results.
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Sandburg alludes to B. famous battlefields in this passage.
The battle of Gettysburg happened during the American Civil War, the battle of Ypres occurred during WWI, as well as the battle of Verdun. He is referring to these famous battles and the fields where they happened because he wants to make a powerful impact on the reader/listener.
