Pharaoh Ramesses II is the most widely regarded Pharaoh of the Exodus depending of the time frame of his reign era. Born circa 1303 BCE; died July or August 1213 BCE; reigned 1279-1213 BCE), also known as Ramesses the Great, was the third pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty of ancient Egypt. He is often regarded as the greatest, most celebrated, and most powerful pharaoh of the Egyptian Empire.

Contrary to the popular belief of death by drowning as mentioned in Quran and Bible, while in pursuit of Moses, Ramesses II died a natural death at the age of 90. At the time of the death he was suffering from severe dental problems and was plagued by arthritis and hardening of the arteries.

circa 1303-1213 BCE

Ramesses II was born in 1303 BCE (approximate date based on conventional chronology) in the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, the principal cult center of Amun. He was the third son of Pharaoh Seti I and Queen Tuya, though some sources suggest he may have been the second surviving son. He was trained in military leadership, administration, and religious duties from an early age, as evidenced by depictions of him accompanying his father in campaigns in Nubia and Syria.

Ramesses II ascended to the throne in 1279 BCE at approximately 24 years of age. His accession marked a period of consolidation and expansion following the military campaigns of Seti I. The coronation likely took place at Memphis, which functioned as the ceremonial capital of ancient Egypt during the early New Kingdom.

Ramesses II is widely recognized for his military engagements, particularly in the Levant. His most famous campaign was against the Hittite Empire at the Battle of Kadesh in 1274 BCE, near the Orontes River in modern-day Syria. Although the battle’s outcome is debated—Egyptian inscriptions depict it as a decisive Egyptian victory, whereas Hittite records suggest a stalemate—it ultimately led to the first known recorded peace treaty in history, concluded around 1258 BCE with Hattusili III of Hatti.

He also conducted military campaigns in Nubia to the south, consolidating Egypt’s control over trade routes and mining regions. These campaigns were commemorated in monumental inscriptions at Abu Simbel and throughout Upper Egypt.

Ramesses II’s reign is distinguished by extensive architectural projects. He commissioned at least 13 major temples, including the Ramesseum temple at Thebes, Abu Simbel temples in Nubia, and additions to the Temple of Karnak. The Abu Simbel temples, constructed around 1264–1244 BCE, feature colossal statues of the pharaoh and were designed to assert Egyptian dominance over Nubia and deter Libyan incursions.

He also oversaw the construction of numerous statues, obelisks, and reliefs in Upper and Lower Egypt. These projects not only reflected religious devotion but also served propagandistic purposes, emphasizing Ramesses II’s divine kingship and military prowess.

Ramesses II married at least eight royal wives, the most prominent being Queen Nefertari, who bore him several children, including his eldest daughter Meritamen. Another principal consort was Queen Isetnofret. Over his lifetime, he fathered over a hundred children—some sources claim as many as 96 sons and 60 daughters. His succession line included Merneptah, who became his thirteenth son and eventual successor.

Ramesses II maintained the religious orthodoxy of his predecessors, emphasizing the cult of Amun-Ra. He held the pharaoh’s role as both political ruler and high priest of the gods, participating in temple rituals and commissioning extensive religious inscriptions. He also legitimized his reign by aligning with traditional Egyptian mythology, portraying himself as the living embodiment of Horus and the earthly agent of Ra.

Ramesses II reigned for 66 years, from 1279 BCE to 1213 BCE, one of the longest reigns in Egyptian history. He remained active in administration and construction well into old age, with records indicating his participation in official ceremonies and temple dedications as late as his 60s. He died in 1213 BCE, likely in the city of Pi-Ramesses (possibly the Tell ed-Daba) in the Nile Delta, his principal residence and administrative center.

Ramesses II was initially interred in the tomb KV7 in the Valley of the Kings, Thebes. His mummy was later moved to the Deir el-Bahari cache (DB320) for protection from tomb robbers. Modern examination of his mummy indicates he lived into his mid-90s, showing signs of arthritis and dental wear.

Ramesses II’s reign left a profound imprint on Egypt. He consolidated territorial holdings, promoted monumental architecture on an unprecedented scale, and cultivated a political and religious image of enduring power. His successors frequently referenced him to legitimize their own rule, and he became the model of the ideal pharaoh in both Egyptian and later classical sources.

circa 1303-1213 BCE

The Mummy of Ramesses II at Cairo museum, it is believed that Ramesses II was essentially crippled with arthritis and walked with a hunched back for the last decades of his life. The pharaoh's mummy reveals an aquiline nose and strong jaw. It stands at about 1.7 metres (5 feet 7 inch). Ramesses II originally was buried in the tomb KV7 in the Valley of the Kings, but because of looting, priests later transferred the body to a holding area, re-wrapped it, and placed it inside the tomb of queen Ahmose Inhapy.

circa 1279-1213 BCE

Tomb of Rameses II, the entrance to the fourth corridor which descends further into the tomb towards a vestibule and the burial chamber.