Horemheb, the last king of the 18th Dynasty, had no son. He chose an army officer from the eastern Delta, who became Ramesses I and founded the 19th Dynasty. His grandson, Ramesses II, became the most famous builder in Egyptian history.
Key idea
Ramesses II of the 19th Dynasty reigned about 66 years (c. 1279–1213 BC). He built more than any other king, including Abu Simbel and the Ramesseum, and moved his capital to Pi-Ramesses in the eastern Delta.
What he built
| Monument | Where | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Simbel | Nubia | two temples cut into a cliff, with four colossal seated statues of the king; moved to higher ground in 1964–68 to save them from Lake Nasser |
| The Ramesseum | Thebes, west bank | his memorial temple, with a fallen colossus of the king |
| Pi-Ramesses | eastern Delta, near old Avaris | his new capital, close to the routes to Asia |
| Karnak and Luxor | Thebes | decoration of the great hypostyle hall at Karnak; a court and pylon at Luxor |
Why it works
A capital in the eastern Delta put the king near his family's home and near the road to the Levant, where the army had to face the Hittites. Colossal statues and temples across the land, from the Delta to Nubia, showed one king everywhere: a message of power aimed at Egyptians, Nubians and foreigners alike.
His name on everything
Ramesses II also carved his cartouches on monuments built by earlier kings, sometimes cutting out their names. Egyptologists call this usurpation. So a statue or a temple wall with his name is not always his work: style, earlier traces and other evidence must decide. Greek writers knew him as Ozymandias, from his throne name, User-maat-ra.
Worked example: Whose statue?
A statue in the style of the Middle Kingdom carries the cartouche of Ramesses II, carved more deeply than the rest of the inscription. What is the likely story?
- The style belongs to a period about seven centuries before Ramesses II.
- A recut, deeper inscription suggests an older name was removed and replaced.
- So Ramesses probably took over an older statue.
Answer: An older statue, usurped by Ramesses II.
Common mistake
Crediting Ramesses with every monument bearing his name. He also carved his name on older buildings and statues. Check the style and look for traces of an earlier name.