Ramesses II
(Usermaatresetepenre)
1279-1213 B.C.
19th Dynasty
Ramesses
went on a campaign in Nubia with two of his own sons. Seti
I and Ramesses built a palace in Avaris where Ramesses I had
started a new capital. When Seti I died in 1290 B.C., Ramesses
assumed the throne and began a series of wars against the
Syrians. The famous Battle of Kadesh is inscribed on the walls
of Ramesses temple.
Ramesses' building accomplishments
are two temples at Abu Simbel, the hypostyle hall at Karnak,
a mortuary complex at Abydos, the Colossus of Ramesses at
Memphis, a vast tomb at Thebes, additions at the Luxor Temple,
and the famous Ramesseum. Among Ramesses' wives were Nefertari,
Queen Istnofret, his two daughters, Binthanath and Merytamon,
and the Hittite princess, Maathornefrure. Ramesses was originally
buried in his tomb in the Valley of the Kings. Because of
the widespread looting of tombs during the 21st Dynasty the
priests removed Ramesses body and took it to a holding area
where the valuable materials such, as gold-leaf and semi-precious
inlays, were removed. The body was then rewrapped and taken
to the tomb of an 18th Dynasty queen, Inhapi. The bodies of
Ramesses I and Seti I were done in like fashion and all ended
up at the same place. Amenhotep I's body had been placed there
as well at an earlier time. Seventy-two hours later, all of
the bodies were again moved, this time to the Royal Cache
that was inside the tomb of High Priest Pinudjem II. The priests
documented all of this on the linen that covered the bodies.
This “systematic” looting by the priests was done in the guise
of protecting the bodies from the "common" thieves.
Ramesses was followed to the throne
by his thirteenth son, with his queen Istnofret, Merenptah.
Major Sections on Ramesses II: