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Who was the most powerful pharaoh of Ancient Egypt?

Jordan Poker

When we talk about the most powerful pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, there is no one answer as there were several pharaohs who held a significant amount of power during their reign. However, if we had to choose just one pharaoh who stood out as the most powerful, it would have to be Ramesses II.

Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great, ruled Egypt for 67 years from 1279 to 1213 BC. He was the third pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty and was said to have lived until he was around 96 years old, making him one of the longest living pharaohs in history.

During his reign, Ramesses II achieved many impressive feats that solidified his place as one of the most powerful pharaohs in the land. One of his greatest claims to fame was his victory at the Battle of Kadesh, where he fought the Hittite army and emerged victorious, expanding the Egyptian empire further into the Middle East. Ramesses II was known for his military prowess and his conquests were a testament to his skill on the battlefield.

Another aspect that made Ramesses II a powerful pharaoh was his generous building projects. Throughout his long reign, he commissioned many great architectural feats such as the temple at Abu Simbel, the Ramesseum, and his own mortuary temple, the Ramesses II temple. These structures were not only ambitious in scale, but also rich in decoration, emphasizing the power of Ramesses II and the greatness of Ancient Egypt as a civilization.

Ramesses II was also successful in his diplomatic efforts, forging alliances with other powerful empires such as the Hittites and the Mitanni. These relationships allowed for peaceful trade and further expansion of the Egyptian empire.

Additionally, Ramesses II was known for his religious piety and was a great promoter of the god Amun. The temples he built were dedicated to Amun and during his reign, the god's influence greatly increased throughout the land. This religious reinforcement further solidified Ramesses II's power as he became not only a political but also a spiritual leader.

On a more personal level, Ramesses II also had an impressive number of wives and children. It is said that he had around 200 wives and concubines and over 100 children. This extended family further increased his power and influence across the land.

Overall, Ramesses II's long reign, military conquests, building projects, diplomatic efforts, religious piety, and large family all contributed to his power as a pharaoh. His life left a lasting legacy on Ancient Egypt, and cemented his place in history as one of the greatest pharaohs to have ever ruled.