He passed away 3,000 years ago, yet his name remains known around the globe: Ramses II. Much of his wealth and sarcophagus are now on display in Cologne for all to see.
Rameses II was believed to have been remarkably self-assured. However, one could justify such vanity when serving as a pharaoh—the leader, guardian of Egypt, and the bridge between humanity and the divine.
Once he passed away, he was mummified and kept intact forever — however, this wasn’t the sole factor that etched his impact deeply into the minds of coming ages.
"King Ramses was renowned not only for his military prowess but also as a statesman. He engaged in numerous conflicts and was the pioneer of the first peace treaty," elucidates. Zahi Hawass , a distinguished archaeologist and ex-minister of Antiquities in Egypt. "Moreover, he is a constructor—traces can be found wherever he has been involved."
Hawass is the curator of the temporary exhibition "Ramses and Gold of the Pharaohs," which recently arrived in the western German city of Cologne following stops in Sydney and 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 almost 67 years, Ramses II (1279 to 1213 BC) ruled over the empire on the Nile. At the beginning of his reign, like his father Seti I before him, he had to defend himself against Libyan tribes in the northwest and against the mighty Hittite Empire, which today covers roughly the area of 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 armed with a bow.
When he became pharaoh, he was only 25 years old.
During his rule, one of the most renowned military operations was the campaign for control over the crucial trade hub of Kadesh. Leading an impressive force consisting of approximately 20,000 soldiers supported by around 2,000 chariots, Ramses II may have gathered what could be considered the biggest army under any Egyptian monarch up until then; however, this formidable assembly came perilously close to suffering a catastrophic loss. Confident in imminent triumph, Ramses fell victim to deceptive intelligence suggesting that the opposing Hittite troops remained distant from where his own men were encamped. Instead, these adversaries lay hidden awaiting their chance. Ultimately, just as things seemed dire, additional support reached the Egyptian ranks, resulting in a stalemate rather than a clear victor.
Strategic Communication Tactics from Ancient Times
However, such an outcome was unacceptable to the pharaoh; thus, he ordered his artisans to engrave inscriptions across Egyptian temples declaring his triumph. “I vanquished every foreign foe single-handedly as my army and cavalry deserted me,” he conveyed to hisscribes. In modern terms, this could be described as "fabricated information." The real events were revealed much later through a Hittite inscription.
However, Ramses was not just skilled in self-promotion; 16 years later, he also secured the signing of the first known peace treaty in human history with the Hittites. These former adversaries pledged never to engage in hostilities against one another again and agreed to form an alliance for mutual support. A replica of this agreement can be seen at the United Nations building in New York City.
The pharaoh was an ambitious construction manager.
As a result of that alliance, Egypt could concentrate on fostering cultural and economic growth—allowing Ramses II to dedicate himself fully to his grandiose architectural endeavors. It is likely that no other pharaoh oversaw as much new construction as he did, which included establishing a new capital city known as Pi-Ramesses (House of Ramses).
His enormous burial palace, the Ramesseum in Western Egypt. 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 into stone.
The pharaoh was revered by his populace for his grand architectural achievements and soon earned the title of "Ramses the Great."
He wedded eight spouses and sired a combined total of 100 offspring. His rule spanned 66 years during the 19th dynasty, marking what many consider the zenith of imperial splendor and strength. Regarding his own achievements, the pharaoh asserted, “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 treated akin to an esteemed state dignitary, greeted by cannon salvos echoing through the skies.
Currently, his remains are housed 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 coffin has been relocated multiple times across centuries as an attempt to shield it from tomb raiders; however, these efforts were largely unsuccessful.
Imagine a pharaoh such as Ramses — picture just how wealthy he must have been and what sort of treasures might lie within? His tomb likely brimming with gold and silver," Hawass shared with CDRNEWS. Moreover, sculptures representing him or his relatives, exquisite pieces of jewelry, animal remains preserved for eternity, along with funerary masks, all serve as testaments to an era long past.
Was John Norman, the managing director of World Heritage Exhibitions—the organization behind the event—alarmed about potential damage to the original artifacts during their trip to Cologne? He assures CDRNEWS, “Not at all. We treat these items with utmost care; every step from moving them to transporting them is executed as meticulously as a military operation, ensuring top-notch security.”
Proceeds from the exhibition benefit archaeological heritage.
It's highly unlikely that Ramses II ever envisioned that his possessions would one day be displayed for ordinary folks 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 tampering with the tomb’s sanctity invoked a curse.
Why is Egypt sharing these artifacts globally? According to Zahi Hawass speaking to CDRNEWS, the answer is straightforward: “We require funds for preservation.” He adds, “No civilization possesses what Egypt does—these pharaonic sites demand millions to billions of dollars merely for upkeep. Neither Greek-Roman, nor Judaic-Christian, nor Islamic heritage requires such extensive resources.”
He adds that the exhibit aims not only to inspire future visits to Egypt but also to boost government revenues through tourist 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 desire possession of one artifact that isn't lawfully located here: Nefertiti.
The exhibit titled "Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs" continues until January 6, 2025, at the Odysseum located in Cologne. Following this, it will launch in Tokyo during the spring season of 2025.
The article was initially published in German.
Author: Suzanne Cords