Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – Confident in himself and believing he was destined to become a great ruler, Pharaoh Ramesses II wanted the world to remember him long after his death. His wish was fulfilled, and Ramesses II is today widely recognized as the greatest and most powerful Pharaoh in the history of ancient Egypt.

Image of Ramesses II of the 19th Dynasty, from the early years of his reign. The painting shows his regnal name as “Usermaatre” (he changed it to Usermaatre-Setepenre in the second regnal year), and his eldest son (first in the upper row) is still called by his birth name, Amenherwenemef, instead of the better-known Amenherkhopsef, which he took around this time. Behind the prince stands the Viceroy of Kush, Amenemopet, son of Paser, who is also depicted in the lower register, along with a light-skinned Asian courtier and others. Credit: Soutekh67 – CC BY-SA 4.0

What great deeds did Ramesses II accomplish to earn the respect of the modern world?

Certain events in Ramesses II’s life made him a unique Pharaoh whom the world still celebrates.

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