Ramesses: Egypt's Greatest Pharaoh

Ramesses II was the archetypal Egyptian pharaoh: a mighty warrior, an extravagant builder and the father of scores of children. His monuments and image were to be found in every corner of the Egyptian empire and the name of Ramesses was known and respected throughout the Ancient World. Death merely enhanced the king's reputation. The late Ramesses was a role model for all subsequent pharoahs, many of whom adopted his name. With the passage of time the real Ramesses gradually evolved into a semi-mythical figure, and the Greek and Roman tourists who visited Egypt's ancient ruins and the end of the pharoanic age were entertained with epic tales of this mighty being. Builder of the Abu Simbel temples and husband of the beautiful Nefertari, Ramesses has today achieved worldwide fame. This book uses a combination of historical and archaeological evidence to explore the life and times of Egypt's greatest king.