Ramses+the+Great

Chas Gregory Word Count :495 **Ramses: the Greatest Pharaoh to Ever Live** When one is truly great, they are distinguished from those around them, and the power of someone great is felt by others around them. Ramses the Great, the third pharaoh of the Nineteenth dynasty, was truly great, and his people realized that. He conquered many of Egypt ’ s enemies and brought peace to Egypt, he was venerated by his people, and instituted gigantic public projects to benefit his citizens. He is revered as Egypt ’ s greatest pharaoh, and after his death, his subjects had thought the world would end without him to guide them. [1]

The excellent leader is always a skilled, fearless, warrior and an adept, confident military commander. Ramses the Great underwent several, successful military campaigns during his rule. He recaptured the parts of Syria, which had previously been lost, led a successful campaign against the more advanced and numerous Hittites, and also decimated the Sherden pirates, who had hampered Egyptian ships and communications with coastal communities to the north.[2] Ramses was inducted as a captain at the age of ten, and from then on he exhibited his military genius and rose through the ranks.[3] Not just an excellent leader, he was also a skilled and fearsome soldier. At the Battle of Kadesh, a group of bodyguards and himself were surrounded by the entire Hittite chariot regiment. Ramses, realizing his situation, charged the ring that had formed around him and sliced his way through the entire Hittite army to safety.[4]

The best leaders are always able to please their people, and, in return, the people idolize their leaders. Since ending his conquests and bring peace to Egypt, Ramses was able to focus on other affairs during his lengthy reign. Ramses spearheaded an enormous building program for his fellow Egyptians. The pharaoh built his loyal followers immaculate temples and even entire towns themselves. Huge statues were erected in his favor by the citizens of Egypt. Ramses was ridiculously popular, for he was the champion of the people.[5]He is known as one of the greatest pharaohs of Egypt, and for many years to come, future Egyptian leaders would try to emulate him by taking his name, but none came close to his legacy.[6]

There has never been a man, who was perfect, however, and Ramses is no exception. His confidence would at times lead to arrogance. But has a great leader ever existed who wasn't confident? He is blamed for making himself seem like a god, but it his people who immortalized him as a god. It is not the fault of the pharaoh that his people love him so much as to make him divine.

Ramses left an enormous legacy for himself, which stems from his greatness. He took control at a very young age and was able to rebuild the former superpower back to full strength. His ambition, public works, and his military feats pleased his constituents as well. If anything, he certainly deserves the title of God his adherents so affectionately adorned him with.

Works Cited: Millmore, Mark. "Ramesses II ." Eyelid Productions. Accessed April 11, 2012. __ [] __.(school sub) PBS. "Ramesses II." Accessed April 11, 2012. __ [] __ (school sub) World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras, s.v. "Ramses II," accessed April 11, 2012. http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/. (school sub)

[1] PBS. "Ramesses II." Accessed April 11, 2012. http://www.pbs.org/empires/egypt/newkingdom/ramesses.html [2] World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras, s.v. "Ramses II," accessed April 11, 2012. http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/. [3] World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras, s.v. "Ramses II," accessed April 11, 2012. http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/. [4] Millmore, Mark. "Ramesses II ." Eyelid Productions. Accessed April 11, 2012. http://www.eyelid.co.uk/k-q4.htm. [5] World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras, s.v. "Ramses II," accessed April 11, 2012. http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/. [6] World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras, s.v. "Ramses II," accessed April 11, 2012. http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/.