Ramesses II modified, usurped, or constructed many buildings from the ground up, and the most splendid of these, in accordance with New Kingdom royal burial practices, would have been his memorial temple: a place of worship dedicated to pharaoh, god on earth, where his memory would have been kept alive after his death. Surviving records indicate that work on the project began shortly after the start of his reign and continued for 20 years.

Who Built The Ramesseum Temple?

The Ramesseum Temple commemorates King Ramses II. The owner of the temple is the son of King Seti I, the third king of the 19th Dynasty. He ruled Egypt for about 67 years. His children numbered nearly a hundred, making him the most famous king of ancient Egypt. A statue of his was moved from the Temple of Ptah in Mit Rahina and placed in what is now the train station square in Cairo. It was named after him and became known as Ramses Square. The street that connects Tahrir Square and the station square was named Ramses Street. He was the owner of the Battle of Kadesh, which he led in the fifth year of his reign against the Hittites. He signed a peace treaty with the Hittites in the 21st year. He married the daughter of the Hittite king to support the treaty. He had the largest number of monuments and the largest statues. He established a new capital in the eastern Delta in Qantir in Sharqia Governorate, and its name is Pi-Ramesses. He was the owner of the Abu Simbel Temple and the Ramesseum Temple. He celebrated his thirtieth anniversary 14 times, a celebration called Heb-Sed. He died at the age of 90 or 91, and his son, King Merneptah, succeeded to the throne.

Battle Of Kadesh Peace Treaty

Why Was The Battle Of Kadesh Important?

The Battle of Kadesh: Some historians believe this battle took place in 1288 BC, while others argue it was in 1274 BC. Ramesses II is regarded as one of the greatest pharaohs in Egyptian history, and during this battle, he faced King Muwatali II in "Kadesh," located near the border of modern Syria and Lebanon. Historians consider it the oldest recorded battle in history. By the end of the fourteenth century BC, Egypt had lost its territories in Syria, but Ramesses I and Seti I managed to reclaim lands in Canaan and Syria. It seems that the Hittites regained control by the time Ramesses II ascended to the throne. Ramses believed he could capture Kadesh swiftly without resistance until he advanced toward the city. His four divisions became disorganized as they neared Kadesh. The Hittites quickly took the lead and launched a massive chariot assault, destroying one of the Egyptian divisions. However, the Hittites made a critical error; instead of continuing their attack, they began to loot the bodies of their fallen enemies, giving Ramesses vital time to reorganize. The two remaining Egyptian divisions united and launched a decisive counterattack that eliminated nearly all of the Hittite chariots. The battle extended into the following day, with both sides incurring heavy casualties. Upon returning to Egypt, Ramesses proclaimed a great victory, although historians now suggest that the Battle of Kadesh might have ended in a draw. Nevertheless, it can be seen as a “victory” for the Egyptians since they halted the Hittite invasions into Egypt. Eventually, Ramesses II signed a peace treaty with the Hittites about 17 years after the Battle of Kadesh.

Where Is The Ramesseum Located

Ramesseum Temple Location

Location of the Ramesseum Temple: The temple commemorating King Ramses II is located south of the Temple of Amenhotep II in the west of the city of Thebes or Luxor.

Ramesseum Temple Facts

What Is The Name Of Ramses Temple?

The name of the Ramesseum Temple: The temple was named after Ghenmet-West ( 𓎸𓏏𓋆 ) , meaning: united with the god Wast. It was also called Memnonium, meaning the place of the legendary Ethiopian hero Memnon, and also the Ramesseum, meaning the place of Ramses.

Ramesseum Temple Luxor

Who Discovered The Ramesseum?

Discovery of the Ramesseum Temple: The site caught the attention of Napoleon's expedition in 1798 AD, and they documented it in the Description de l'Égypte. The temple also caught the attention of the scholar Champollion. The scholar Belzoni visited the site in 1815 AD, and a part of the king's statue made of granite was transferred to the British Museum. It was documented by the scholar Lepsius in 1844 AD, and it was excavated by the scholars Petrie and Copel in 1899 AD, then by the scholars Carter and Emile Brèsse from 1900 to 1908 AD. There was also a French expedition that began work at the site in 1991 AD, and discovered ovens, kitchens, and a school for teaching children.

When Was The Ramesseum Built

Construction of the Ramesseum Temple: Construction of the temple began in the second year of the reign of King Ramses II and continued until the 20th year.

The Architectural Planning Of The Ramesseum Temple

The Temple Consists Of:

-The First Pylon:

66 meters wide, decorated with flagpoles

-The First Courtyard:

It included on the northern side a row of columns, each column had a statue of King Ramses II standing in the Osirian form, of which two bases of the western statues remain. On the western side of the courtyard of columns there is a staircase leading to the second pylon, and in the courtyard there are also two rows of columns in front of the palace of King Ramses II.

The Ozymandias Colossus At The Ramesseum

The 'Ozymandias colossus', it refers to colossal Ruins statue from the Ramesseum, this 60-foot tall statue, originally weighed around 1,000 tons. It is this that inspired Percy Bysshe Shelley to write his famous sonnet "Ozymandias," the poem in which he contemplated how the transience of power? Today, the fragments of the shattered statue are to be found in the first part of the temple's courtyard, with just pedestal and main portions of torso still visible.

What Is The Ramesseum Famous For

Palace of King Ramses II:

In the first courtyard on the southern side is the palace of King Ramses II. The palace consists of three main entrances, followed by a hall with 16 columns in four rows. Following this hall is the throne hall with four columns. The main hall and the throne hall are surrounded by side rooms. To the south of it are four palaces for the royal harem.

The Ramesseum The Temple Of Ramses II

-The Second Pylon Of The Ramesseum:

The second pylon of the temple was decorated with scenes and inscriptions of the peace treaty between King Ramses II and the Hittite king.

-The Second Courtyard Of The Ramesseum Temple:

It is surrounded from the north and south by two rows of columns, another row of columns in the west preceded by another row of columns whose facades are decorated with statues of King Ramses II in the Osirian form. There is also a row of columns to the east, whose facades are decorated with statues of King Ramses II standing in the Osirian form. The eastern columns are decorated with engravings of King Ramses II in his relationships with the various gods, offering them sacrifices. There are ascending stairs, and the middle staircase was surrounded by two black granite statues. Remains of these statues exist, including a head of the king wearing the nemes on his head and the crown.

The Ramesseum In Luxor

Hall Of The Columns:

In the western wall of the second courtyard, there are three main entrances leading to the Hall of the Columns. The area of ​​this hall is 31 x 41 m. Its ceiling is supported by 48 columns in 6 rows. The columns of the two middle rows have capitals decorated with papyrus flowers. They are higher than the side columns, whose capitals take the shape of papyrus flower buds. The space between the ceilings of the middle and side columns is occupied by windows on both sides to let in light. The ceilings of the middle columns are decorated with numerous scenes of ALREKHMA god, who is an eagle spreading her wings and surrounded by royal titles, while the ceilings of the side columns are decorated with stars on a blue background.

Funerary Temple Of Ramses II Ramesseum

-The Astronomical Chamber Of The Temple:

There is an entrance in the middle of the western wall of the former column hall, which leads to a hall whose ceiling is supported by 8 columns decorated with papyrus bud capitals in two rows.

-The Hall Following The Astronomical Hall:

There is an entrance in the middle of the western wall of the astronomical room that leads to a hall whose ceiling is supported by 8 columns decorated with papyrus bud capitals in two rows.

-Another Hall Precedes The Holy Of Holies Hall:

There is an entrance in the middle of the western wall that leads to a hall similar to the previous hall, and its ceiling is supported by 8 columns in two rows.

-Holy of Holies:

There is an entrance in the middle of the western wall of the previous hall that leads to a hall with four columns in two rows. This hall represents the Holy of Holies.

Ramesseum Temple Extensions Map

Ramesseum Temple Extensions:

The Ramesseum Temple is surrounded on the north, south and west by corridors, storerooms and priests' quarters made of mud brick with vaulted ceilings.

Temple Of Seti I:

Among the annexes of the Ramesseum is the Temple of King Seti I, where there is a small double temple built by King Seti I and renovated by his son, King Ramses II, who included it among the annexes of his temple.

The Outer Wall:

The temple and its annexes are surrounded by a mud-brick wall measuring 270 x 175 m.

Ramesseum Temple Entrance Fees

Adult : EGP 220 | Student : EGP 110

Ramesseum Temple Opening Hours

The Ramesseum temple has varying opening hours depending on the season: 6:00 am to 5:00 pm during the summer, 6:00 am to 4:00 pm in the winter