Section of Limestone Relief of Ramses II, c. 1280 BC

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Jacksonville, FL.

Info: Ramses II (1304 BC-1213 BC), also known as Ramses “The Great” ruled Egypt as a noble and great Pharaoh for 66 years and 2 months. Consistent with Egyptian polytheistic religious beliefs of the day, Ramses II was a strong advocate of Maat – “the rightful order of the universe established by the gods… that was crucial to human life and included [concepts] of truth, justice (focused on “increase[ing] life… prosperity and happiness”[1]) and [tolerance].”[2] Consequently, women were permitted to participate in government and even “the humblest workers could seek redress at the highest court if they felt they were being treated unjustly.”[3]

His reign marked the height of Egypt’s glory and power, in which he built more temples, monuments and statues than any other pharaoh. Following the Battle of Kadesh Ramses II played a leading role in crafting the world’s first peace treaty that established friendship and trade with the Hittites and led to the repatriation of political refugees.

Despite claims, there is no historical evidence Ramses II was the pharaoh referred to in Exodus. Instead evidence indicates Thutmoses III (1481 BC-1425 BC) was likely the pharaoh during the plagues and Hebrew escape from Egypt led by Moses or perhaps Thutmoses II (1510 BC-1479 BC), based on “the fact he had a brief, prosperous reign and then a sudden collapse with no son to succeed him” and the presence of cysts on his mummified body, “possible evidence of plagues...”[4]

Last, even though Ramses II had more than 200 wives and concubines, with marriage being a routine matter of civil law during his era, his genuine love for his first wife, Nefertari, whom he married just before becoming pharaoh is well known. He often addressed her as “Sweet of Love” and “My beloved.” When she died circa 1255 BC, he had the most beautiful tomb created for her – often referred to as the “Sistine Chapel of Ancient Egypt” and had written in it, “… no one can rival her, for she is the most beautiful woman. Just by passing, she has stolen away my heart.”[5]
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[1] Anna Mancini. Maat Revealed: Philosophy of Justice in Ancient Egypt. Buenos Books America. 2004. 79.

[2] Egypt’s Golden Empire: Religion. PBS.org. 2006. www.pbs.org/empires/egypt/newkingdom/religion.html

[3] Alex Warren. Ramses II. New Acropolis International Organization. 8 August 2014. library.acropolis.org/ramses-ii

[4] Thutmose II Wikipedia. 31 May 2019. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thutmose_II

[5] Ajadi. Ramses II and Nefertari: The Real African Love Story is the Everyday Valentine You Should Celebrate. Ohafrika. 2017. face2faceafrica.com/article/this-real-african-love-story-is-the-everyday-valentine-you-should-celebrate

Additional Sources:
Joshua J. Mark. Ramesses II. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 02 Sep 2009. Web. 31 Jul 2019. www.ancient.eu/Ramesses_II

Thutmoses III Pharaoh of Exodus. 2 August 2019. www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-exodus-date-1440bc.htm