Though he passed away 3,000 years ago, the world still remembers him as Ramses II. Today, many of his riches and sarcophagus can be seen in Cologne.

Ramses II was believed to have been extremely self-assured. However, one could justify such vanity when serving as a pharaoh, the leader and guardian of Egypt, acting as the bridge between humanity and the divine beings.

Once he passed away, he underwent the process of mummification and preservation for all time — however, this wasn’t the sole factor that etched his impact deeply into the consciousness of coming ages.

"Ramses was an illustrious monarch known for his martial prowess. He engaged in numerous battles and became the first ruler to establish a peace treaty," he elucidates. Zahi Hawass , a distinguished archaeologist and ex-antiquities minister of Egypt. "Moreover, he's involved in construction—traces can be found wherever he has been active."

Hawass serves as the curator for the temporary exhibit "Ramses and Gold of the Pharaohs." This exhibition has recently made its way to the western German city of Cologne after previous engagements in Sydney and elsewhere. Paris "Our contemporary world is vastly distinct from ancient Egypt. This exhibit enables guests to immerse themselves in Ramses’ era and explore an entirely different lifestyle," he explains.

Ramses the warlord

For nearly 67 years, from 1279 to 1213 BC, Ramses II governed the Egyptian Empire along the Nile River. Early in his rule, similar to his predecessor Seti I, he found himself defending against invasions by Libyans in the northwest and facing off against the powerful Hittite Empire, which now encompasses approximately modern-day Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon.

As a child, he started mastering the skills of combat and joined forces with his father in battles against adjacent tribes, fighting from a chariot equipped with a bow.

When he became Pharaoh, he was only 25 years old.

During his rule, one of his best-known military operations was the struggle over the crucial trade hub of Kadesh. Leading an immense force comprising approximately 20,000 soldiers supported by around 2,000 chariots, he may have gathered the biggest army any Egyptian ruler had ever commanded; however, this near-invincible host came perilously close to total annihilation. Confident in triumphing, Ramses was misled by infiltrators claiming that the Hittite troops remained distant from where his men were encamped when actually these adversaries lay hidden awaiting their opportunity. Fortunately, relief forces reached the Egyptians just before disaster struck, resulting in a stalemate rather than outright conquest.

Ancient World PR Strategies

However, such an outcome was unacceptable to the pharaoh; thus, he ordered his artisans to engrave temple writings across Egypt declaring his triumph. “All foreign lands were vanquished by me alone, even as my soldiers and cavalry deserted,” he conveyed to his chroniclers. In modern terms, this could be described as "fabricated information." The actual events were revealed much later through a Hittite inscription.

However, Ramses was not just skilled in self-promotion; 16 years later, he successfully brokered the first known peace agreement in human history with the Hittites. These former adversaries pledged never to engage in hostilities against one another again and sealed their commitment with an accord for reciprocal support. A replica of this treaty can currently be seen at the United Nations building in New York.

The pharaoh was an ambitious construction manager.

As a result of this alliance, Egypt could concentrate on fostering cultural and economic growth—allowing Ramses II to dedicate all his efforts to his grandiose architectural endeavors. It is likely that no other pharaoh oversaw as extensive construction initiatives, which included establishing an entire new capital city known as Pi-Ramesses (House of Ramses).

His enormous burial palace, the Ramesseum in western Egypt, stands as a testament to his reign. Thebes , close to the contemporary city of Luxor, contained a library boasting over 10,000 volumes papyrus scrolls He similarly ensured his immortality there with a colossal stone statue weighing 1,000 tons and reaching a height of 17 meters.

Some of Ramses' most renowned creations encompass the temples at Karnak, Luxor, and Abu Simbel, with the latter being carved directly from rock.

The pharaoh was revered by his populace for his grand architectural achievements and swiftly earned the title of "Ramses the Great."

He wedded eight spouses and sired a combined total of one hundred offspring. During his 66-year rule in the 19th dynasty, which marked the zenith of imperial splendor and strength, he was hailed as the epitome of success. The pharaoh proclaimed about himself, “I have outdone all.”

Ramses' remains have traveled overseas just one time.

In 1213 BC, Ramses II passed away at the age of 90, entering the afterlife. His mummified body remains intact even today.

The mummy Only once did it leave its native land: In 1976, his remains were transported to Paris for conservation as they were at risk of deterioration. On that occasion, Ramesses II was accorded the honors befitting a distinguished state visitor, with cannon salvos echoing overhead in welcome.

Today, his remains lie in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo.

During the traveling exhibit, visitors have the opportunity to view his cedar sarcophagus adorned with hieroglyphics honoring the pharaoh. Throughout history, this sarcophagus has been relocated multiple times to shield it from tomb raiders, though they managed to achieve some success despite these efforts.

Imagine a Pharaoh such as Ramses — picture just how wealthy he must have been and what sort of treasures might lie within? His tomb brimming with gold and silver," Hawass shared with Sport.bangjo.co.id. Furthermore, sculptures representing him or his relatives, lavish items of adornment, animal mummies, and funerary masks serve as testaments to an era now past.

Did John Norman, the managing director of World Heritage Exhibitions—the organization behind the exhibition—have sleepless nights worrying about potential damage to the original artifacts during their trip to Cologne? “Not really,” he told Sport.bangjo.co.id. “The level of care we provide for these items, along with how they’re handled and transported, is essentially akin to a military operation when it comes to security.”

Proceeds from the exhibition benefit archaeological heritage.

It is highly improbable that Ramses II envisioned his riches being displayed for ordinary folk 3,000 years following his demise.

The burial items were intended to be with him in the afterworld, whereas precious artworks were exclusive to the elite. There are tales suggesting that violating the tranquility of the tomb invited a curse.

Why is Egypt sharing these artifacts globally? The answer is straightforward: "We require funds for preservation efforts," explains Zahi Hawass to Sport.bangjo.co.id. "No civilization possesses what Egypt does—pharaonic monuments. Neither Greek-Roman nor Jewish-Christian, let alone Islamic sites demand substantial sums for their upkeep."

He adds that the exhibit aims not only to inspire future visits to Egypt but also to boost government revenues through increased tourism spending.

The Egyptologist likewise seized the chance in Cologne to reiterate a sincere plea: "Our aim is Nefertiti Back. My interest doesn't lie in other Egyptian artifacts; feel free to leave them in Munich or Berlin. However, we do desire one piece that isn't rightfully located here: Nefertiti.

The exhibit titled "Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs" continues through January 6, 2025, at the Odysseum in Cologne. Following this, it will launch in Tokyo during the spring of 2025.

The article was initially published in German.

Author: Suzanne Cords