Ramesses the Great: Pharaoh, Propagandist, or Both?

Pharaoh Ramesses II, who reigned for nearly 70 years during the 13th century BCE, oversaw a period of unprecedented Egyptian prosperity, power, and wealth. But beyond the golden facade, a question lingers: Was he a truly exemplary leader, or a master of self-promotion and manipulation?

The Exodus Enigma

Ramesses II is often associated with the biblical Exodus, cast as the stubborn pharaoh who refused to release the enslaved Hebrews, forcing them to construct his grand capital, Pi-Ramesses. However, archaeological evidence presents a different picture. There's no concrete proof that Ramesses employed forced labor in his construction endeavors. Egyptian building projects relied on skilled artisans and craftsmen, while menial tasks like quarrying were performed by soldiers and foreign mercenaries, all of whom received compensation for their work.

• Highly trained artisans and craftsmen built cities and monuments.
• Military soldiers and foreign mercenaries handled menial labor.
• All workers were compensated for their services.

While some timelines suggest Ramesses as a potential candidate for the Exodus pharaoh, the absence of evidence of a significant Hebrew population or a mass migration during his reign casts doubt on this theory.

The Propaganda Machine

Ramesses II was a master of propaganda, rivaling any leader in ancient history. Like other pharaohs, he understood the power of controlling the narrative to maintain authority. His father, Seti I, had established a period of stability and wealth, and Ramesses was determined to uphold this legacy.

Military Glory and Exaggeration

One key element of Ramesses' propaganda was his portrayal of military victories. By the end of Seti I's reign, a peace agreement had been established with the Hittites, granting Egypt control over the region of Kadesh. However, in the fifth year of his reign, Ramesses broke this agreement, believing that a military triumph would bolster Egypt's reputation.

His victory over the Hittites solidified his image as a heroic pharaoh. However, the truth was far more nuanced. The Battle of Kadesh was, in reality, a stalemate. Ramesses' arrogance nearly cost Egypt the war. Misled by Hittite spies, he allowed his forces to be ambushed, almost losing everything. Yet, the official accounts, etched in stone across Egypt, depicted Ramesses as the battle's ultimate hero.

• Military achievements legitimized a pharaoh's power.
• Ramesses exaggerated his victories to enhance his image.
• The Battle of Kadesh was a stalemate, not a decisive victory.

The First Peace Treaty

Despite the questionable nature of his military claims, Ramesses did achieve a significant diplomatic milestone: the first recorded peace treaty in archaeological history, signed with the Hittites. While some view it as a begrudging agreement for mutual defense against external threats, it marked the beginning of a prosperous era for Egypt – a golden age of power and wealth.

The Price of Immortality

Ramesses invested heavily in monumental building projects, some argue, as vain attempts to achieve immortality through stone. One of the most famous examples is Abu Simbel, located in Nubia. While ostensibly built to showcase Egypt's strength and deter Nubian revolts, it also served to glorify Ramesses himself.

Pharaohs were expected to invest in building projects for the gods, but Ramesses' placement of his own statues within Abu Simbel, seemingly as equals to the deities, raised eyebrows. He even went so far as to dismantle temples built by Akhenaten, a pharaoh who had attempted to impose monotheism, to reuse their bricks in monuments dedicated to himself.

Erasing History

Ramesses also had a habit of erasing the names of other pharaohs from monuments and replacing them with his own. While he ruled for nearly seven decades, even pharaohs with shorter reigns had numerous statues created in their likeness. This practice raises questions about Ramesses' motives and his desire to control the historical narrative.

• Ramesses invested heavily in monumental building projects.
• Abu Simbel showcased Egypt's strength and glorified Ramesses.
• He dismantled temples and erased other pharaohs' names to promote himself.

A Lasting Impression

Regardless of his true character, Ramesses II undoubtedly left a lasting impression on history. His reign was marked by both prosperity and propaganda, military achievements and self-aggrandizement. Whether he was a model leader or a master of manipulation remains a subject of debate. But one thing is certain: his name continues to resonate thousands of years later.

It is often said that history is written by the winners, but a winning record never guarantees the outcome.