Ancient Egypt lived its period of splendor thanks to a pharaoh who, according to all indications, possessed unique qualities as a military, diplomat and ruler: Ramses II, justly called “The Great”. After his victories against the Hittites, which allowed him to consolidate his dominions in Palestine and Syria and with it the eastern border, the long reign of Ramses II (approximately between 1301 and 1237 BC) was a period of peace and prosperity that would have its reflection in marvelous architectural achievements; the temples of Abu Simbel and the hypostyle hall at Karnak are among the many jewels of his legacy.
The young prince Ramses was granted a royal palace and an important harem, and must have accompanied Seti I in the military campaigns undertaken to quell the rebellions in Palestine and Syria. He also seconded his father in the war against the Hittites who had occupied the territories of Syria.
So when in 1301 B.C he came to the throne, Ramses already had vast military experience, despite his youth. In the coronation ceremony, in addition to receiving the scepter and the whip (the sacred insignia destined to introduce him into the rank of the great gods), he was given four names: "powerful bull armed with justice", "defender of Egypt" , "Rich in years and victories" and "chosen of Ra." From that moment on, his life was that of a god-king, son of gods, an object of worship and general adoration.
Ramses II began his reign with the transfer of the capital from Thebes to Tanis, in the delta, in order to place the royal residence near the point of greatest danger for the empire, the border with Asia. The first of his military campaigns was aimed at subduing Palestine, in order to obtain a base of operations that would allow him to invade Syria, just as his father had done with success.
Given the prosperity of the country, it is assumed that he was a competent administrator and a popular king: his name is found on all the monuments of Egypt and Nubia. His instincts led him to become the "builder king": he magnified Thebes, completed the funerary temple of Luxor, erected the Ramesseum, completed the hypostyle hall at Karnak, made major renovations to the temple of Amenophis III, and had rock excavated the impressive temples of Ramses II and Nefertari at Abu Simbel.
