by Gemma Wiseman

Created on: August 17, 2007   Last Updated: September 17, 2009

Apart from the many structures, still standing today, bearing the name of Rameses, there are a few extra "surprises" built into Rameses' amazing Egyptian legacy from the 12th century B.C. The boy king (he possibly came to the throne at 15, though some sources say 25) from a common military family, was the last great pharaoh to rule a mighty Egypt. He was Rameses the Great!

Rameses II, of the 19th Dynasty, ruled Egypt for 67 years. He was a master of strategy and propaganda; strong-willed and a visionary. He was an entrepreneur, a military leader, a man of peace, a builder of flamboyant structures and a great lover. He was brazen enough to establish a new capital for Egypt, far from the traditional aristocratic Thebes. This new capital, in the Nile Delta, was called Per Rameses meaning "House of Rameses". He even looked different from the average Egyptian; of taller build (about 5 feet 8-10 inches) topped with a mane of flaming red hair.

At first glance, looking at the many buildings bearing Rameses' name, it would seem he must have been the only great builder in the whole history of ancient Egypt. But some great temples existed before his time. Rameses simply re-invented them. He wanted his name well-stamped on Egyptian history.

An existing temple at Luxor suffered the Rameses make-over. He added a new entrance with 4 statues of himself. If this sounds audacious, Rameses managed more. In fact, almost every temple in every Egyptian town was revamped and given the Rameses "stamp". One temple dedicated to himself and one to his loved wife Nefartari are actually two mountains, side by side, converted into temples. So, is this the legacy of a self-opiniated madman or a genius?

Rameses can't take all the glory for being an inspired builder. He modeled himself on Thutmose III, the "Warrior Pharaoh" who initiated the new Egyptian Empire and Amenhotep III who first initiated the "big is beautiful" idea. Both pharaohs were of the previous 18th Dynasty. Rameses may have surpassed Amenhotep in number of temples and monuments, but he sacrificed quality. His legacy is not a representation of the best ancient Egyptian building, especially when it came to the detail of relief carvings. Admittedly, inside decoration was reported as "exquisite", a testament to Rameses' enormous wealth.

Another dimension of Rameses' legacy involves his remarkable treaty with the warring, territory hungry Hittites from Anatolia (Turkey). At first, this would seem to be the most complete ancient record

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