Ramesses II, also known as “Ramesses the Great” was the third pharaoh of the 19th dynasty in Egypt. He came to power following the death of his father, Seti I who was pharaoh of Egypt. Ramesses II had a lengthy reign of 66 years from 1279 BC to 1213 BC, and during those years, he was regarded as one of the most powerful pharaoh’s of Egypt. Ramesses II can attribute the attainment of his power due to his use of propaganda, as evidenced by his often ostentatious displays and exaggerations of his achievements, along with the widespread locations of his propaganda and his use of propaganda in monumental buildings.
The Battle of Kadesh was a turning point during Ramesses II reign, and it greatly influenced how he represented himself in propaganda.
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Following the battle, Ramesses II returned to Egypt and described the battle as a decisive victory led by him against the Hittites, which was far from reality (Clayton, 1994; Mark, 2009). According to well respected author, Silvia Anne Sheafer (2013) in her book, “Ramses the Great” she suggests that Ramesses II accounts of the battle were exaggerated. She asserts, “Ramses’ celebration of victory over the Hittites had been dramatized in art compositions and poetic narrative. Temple inscriptions recounted his heroics.” Clearly, Sheafer provides the belief that Ramesses II used the Battle of Kadesh to portray himself as a great warrior in propaganda. Her perspective is provided further support through corroboration with oft-cited history writer Susanna Thomas (2003). Thomas writes, “one of Rameses’ primary goals was to be known and remembered as a great warrior. The image of the brave fighter…defending his kingdom.” Thomas’s account provides the belief that Ramesses II extensively utilised propaganda through exaggerating his efforts at the Battle of Kadesh, this perspective is …show more content…
Abu Simbel (cited in Clayton, 1994), is a colossal temple carved from sandstone rock at Abu Simbel which is far south in Nubia. At the entrance of Abu Simbel, there are four huge figures that are 18 metres high, of Ramesses II seated in pairs. This temple is an overwhelmingly grand monument and would have been an effective means of propaganda for Ramesses II, as many Egyptians would have viewed it. Furthermore, as the figures of Ramesses II in front of the temple were grand, many Egyptians would have likely viewed it often or came often to view it, as something this big may not have been present in Egypt. Further evidence of Ramesses II building large-scale monuments, which were used as effective propaganda, includes the Great Hypostyle Hall Karnak (cited in The Great Columns, n.d), which entail 134 sandstone columns in the form of papyrus stalks. These columns are all inscribed by Ramesses II, with royal cartouches and his other royal titles everywhere. Clearly, Ramesses II effectively utilised propaganda in monuments built by himself. Respected British archaeologist and writer, Peter A. Clayton (1994) suggests that, “No other pharaoh constructed so many temples or erected so many colossal statues and obelisks.” Hence, it can be determined that Ramesses II effectively utilised his own constructions in Egypt to implement propaganda and
Ramses had a harsh and profound life, yet he was able to accomplish, build, and expand so many ideas across Egypt and even into today. Ramses II made most decisions based on his involvement whether that was war, politics, or ruling. Egypt had to rely on Ramses II to be Pharaoh when his father died. This step in which Ramses had to take at the age of 19 was hard to fulfill with only some training by his father. Ramses was able to accomplish many innovations that have survived to be around today. As ruler Ramses was also the leader of his army and led many battles including the famous war between the Egyptians and Hittites. Ramses created the first treaty to be written down after a war. Ramses has been known to be one of the most profound Pharaoh in history. Even though Egypt relied on Ramses II to be Pharaoh at such a young age, Egypt did not rely just on his judgment, but rather his personal involvement. He expanded Egypt to its’ greatest and highest with a thriving economy and enriched structural growth. Ramses II led for 66 years bringing Egypt to its’ highest power, territorial gain, and economical wealth.
Pyramids, gold, the Nile, hieroglyphics, gods and goddesses…no matter how much we know about it, we all see one of these things when we picture Egypt. However, this image is not complete without the Pharaoh. Not much in Egypt was. So to be considered “The Last Great Pharaoh of Egypt” is quite an honor, an honor that Ramesses III carries. A ruler in the time of the New Kingdom, he gave Egypt a few more years of glory before it’s decline.
The statue of Khafre is an example of how pharaohs utilized their wealth to elaborate the power they possessed while they were alive and to utilize while they were dead. They ordered statues to be made in their name to decorate the valley temple. The valley temple is a funerary setting in which Khafre ordered 23 statues to be made for it. In this case, Khafre’s statue was made and place near the
A major example focuses around the subplot of the hunting and killing of Humbaba. In Gilgamesh’s quote to Enkidu after he objects to the idea of traveling to the cedar forest (110), Gilgamesh claims: “If I fall on the way, I’ll establish my name: ‘Gilgamesh, who joined battle with fierce Humbaba’ they’ll say” (111). Later on the same page when Gilgamesh is addressing the elders, his speech shows just how much hubris he exerts: “…I will hunt him down in the forest of cedars. I will make the land hear how mighty is the scion of Uruk. I will set my hand to cutting a cedar, an eternal name I will make for myself!” (111-112). Like Beowulf, Gilgamesh’s end goal is shown to be the same. Both want to showcase their strength and might while also making a name for themselves. Utilizing large amounts of hubris through their speeches is the way they do this, followed by an epic battle in which they come out
The remaining years of his rule were distinguished by the construction of such monuments as the rock-hewn temple of Abû Simbel, the great hypostyle hall in the Temple of Amon at Al Karnak, and the mortuary temple at Thebes, known as Ramesseum.
After his ascent to the throne, the kingdom prospered and the young Pharaoh poured his energies and national treasures into building temples and monuments honoring his father, Egypt's gods and himself. In Nubia he constructed six temples, two of which were carved out of a Cliffside at Abu Simbel, with their four colossal statues of the king, are the most magnificent and the best known. Engineers designed the temple so every year on February 22 and October 22 the earliest sunrays shine on the back wall of the innermost chamber and lights up the pharaoh's statue, and fitting, he sits with the three gods of the sun. In all of his monuments he had his name cartouche and texts engraved so deep that no successor would be able to remove it.
Monumental architecture in Pharaonic Egypt is represented primarily by the funerary complexes of the pharaohs. The principal function of these elaborate complexes was to ensure that the pharaohs, who were exalted as living gods, would attain the afterlife they desired. This required that two basic conditions be fulfilled: the body had to be preserved from disturbance or destruction; and the material needs of the body and the ka had to be met (Edwards 20). Pharaonic burial complexes were also centers of worship for the god-king interred there and were designed to exalt his memory and deeds.
The statue of King Khafre Seated , from the fourth dynasty of the Old Kingdom, 2520 - 2492 BCE, was created by an unknown artist in the smooth permanence of graywacke stone. Although the statue is currently at the Metropolitan Museum of Art as number 56 in the Special Egyptian Exhibition, its true home is at the Egyptian Museum, in Cairo. The man being portrayed, King Khafre, ruled Egypt for approximately thirty years, during which he commissioned the single most recognizable monuments of Egypt, the a fore mentioned Pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx. These monuments of symmetry and solidity characterize the focus of popular architecture and sculpture from the Old Kingdom in Egypt.
Alexander’s first major victory was at the Granicus River. In May of 334 BC, Alexander’s army met the Persians in battle and defeated them. Following this victory, Alexander continued his march into Persia, and many towns simply surrendered, including Sardis. After a siege at Halicarnassus which Alexander eventually won, he moved on to meet the Persians again at Issus in November of 333 BC, under the command of Darius III of Persia. The Persian army had an advantage in numbers over Alexander’s, more than 2 to 1; but Alexander, using his ability to anticipate his enemies’ plans and counter them, again soundly defeated the Persians. In the midst of the battle, Darius fled. The
...of the Memphian Kings (Egyptian Pharoah’s at the great city of Memphis) who built the Great Pyramids, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, but whose city Memphis sustained much damage throughout the years (the city decayed and the capital eventually moved to Thebes).
Egypt relied on their pharaohs to rule and run their county. Amenhotep III was the ninth pharaoh of the 18th dynasty; he ruled as pharaoh for a long period and achieved a significant amount of development in national and foreign affairs. He has been known as one of the best pharaohs that the world has seen. While Amenhotep was ruler of his era, it was known as the period of peace and prosperity. This allowed him to build many of the impressive structures that are found throughout Egypt today. He went on military campaigns and not only strengthened but expanded the boarders of Egypt throughout his campaigns. Amenhotep III was a successful pharaoh because he completed the roles of a pharaoh exceptionally well; these roles are High Priest, Administrator and Military commander. His name ‘Amenhotep’ means that the gods are satisfied.
This book talks about the experiential aspects of the Pyramids Of Giza, discussing how the size of the buildings, as well as the spaces and materials used, make the pyramids feel very grand, reflecting the pharaoh’s power. (Fazio 2013) suggests that the pyramids were built to such grand proportions to emphasis the power of the pharaoh in society as well as his god like status.
"Temples, tombs and pyramids - all have witnessed this earth for thousands of years. What better than to say that these architectural achievements show us that Egypt's greatest virtue lay in its architecture" (Fumeaux:11, 1964)
...n 1163 B.C., Egypt entered a period of slow decline (Scarre 1997:116). Pharaohs became less powerful, and their prestige dwindled. Hungry soldiers were terrorizing the community, while tomb robbers were raiding the pyramids for resources that were very much needed. They had buried their pharaohs with food, goods and jewelry, all of which were needed to keep the civilization in tact. They had built too many pyramids, and there were setbacks in Asia which corrupted trade. People did not understand why the pharaohs could not fix the problems that were going on. They viewed them as gods and lost trust and faith. Egypt fell apart as these things culminated with loss of belief in the pharaohs.
The most famous are the three great pyramid tombs at Giza, which was built by three successive Fouth-Dynasty kings. I believe that they are the best representatives of ancient Egyptian art, not only because they are architectural marvels, but also the because of their portrayal of wisdom and the culture of ancient Egypt. 1. What is the difference between Architectural beauty The Giza Pyramids embody great beauty with unique elements. seen in modern architecture.