Few names in ancient history carry as much weight as Ramses II, often called Ramses the Great. His reign, stretching from 1279 to 1213 BCE, was one of the longest in Egyptian history, lasting an astonishing 66 years. Under his leadership, Egypt reached new heights of military power, architectural achievement, and cultural influence. The image above—showing his preserved mummy and modern facial reconstructions—brings us face to face with one of the most powerful rulers of the ancient world.

The Life and Times of Ramses II

Ramses II was born around 1303 BCE into the royal family of the 19th Dynasty. His grandfather, Ramses I, founded the dynasty, and his father, Seti I, expanded Egypt’s strength. Groomed from a young age for leadership, Ramses was named prince regent by age 14. By the time he ascended the throne in 1279 BCE, he was already a seasoned commander.

His reign is remembered for military campaigns against the Hitтιтes, Nubians, and Libyans. The most famous of these was the Battle of Kadesh, fought around 1274 BCE against the Hitтιтe Empire. Though the battle ended in a stalemate, Ramses II portrayed it in inscriptions as a great victory, bolstering his image as a warrior-king. Later, he negotiated what is considered the world’s first known peace treaty with the Hitтιтes—a testament to both his pragmatism and diplomatic skill.

The Builder Pharaoh

Beyond warfare, Ramses II was a prolific builder, earning him the тιтle “the Builder Pharaoh.” His monuments are scattered across Egypt and Nubia, designed not only as places of worship but as eternal symbols of his power.

Among his most famous projects are the temples at Abu Simbel, carved directly into a mountainside. The colossal seated statues of Ramses at the entrance, each over 20 meters tall, remain one of the most iconic images of ancient Egypt. In Thebes, he expanded the great temple complex of Karnak and built the Ramesseum, his mortuary temple, which celebrated his achievements in life and secured his cult after death.

Through these architectural marvels, Ramses ensured that his memory would endure for millennia. The scale of his building program was unmatched, with inscriptions proclaiming him “the Great Ancestor.”

Family and Legacy

Ramses II’s personal life was as monumental as his public achievements. He is believed to have had over 100 children with numerous wives and concubines. His principal queen, Nefertari, was immortalized in the exquisite temple he built for her at Abu Simbel, one of the rare instances where a royal consort was honored almost equally alongside a king.

His sheer longevity also played a role in shaping his legacy. Living into his 90s, Ramses outlived many of his wives and children, including his chosen successors. This extraordinary lifespan, rare in antiquity, allowed him to solidify his reputation and dominate Egyptian memory for generations.

Death and Burial

Ramses II died around 1213 BCE and was buried in the Valley of the Kings, in tomb KV7. However, like many royal mummies, his body was later moved by priests to protect it from tomb robbers. Eventually, it was reburied in the Deir el-Bahari cache, where it was rediscovered in the late 19th century.

The mummy of Ramses II is remarkable for its preservation. Standing over 1.7 meters tall, his body shows signs of advanced age—arthritis, dental problems, and a curved spine. These details confirm historical accounts that he reigned for decades into old age, making him one of the longest-lived rulers of the ancient world.

The Mummy and Modern Science

The discovery of Ramses II’s mummy in 1881 caused international excitement. Today, it remains one of the most studied royal mummies. Scientific analysis has revealed not only details of his health but also the methods used to preserve his body. Resin-coated wrappings, careful embalming, and ornate bandages reflect the importance of his burial.

In 1974, the mummy was flown to Paris for conservation when signs of deterioration were observed. Famously, Ramses was issued a pᴀssport for the journey, listing his occupation as “King (deceased).” In France, experts treated the mummy and discovered evidence of arthritis, hardened arteries, and poor dental health. Yet the preservation remains so detailed that even his aquiline nose and high cheekbones are visible.

Reconstructing the Face of a Pharaoh

The lower images show reconstructions of Ramses II’s face based on his mummy. Using CT scans, 3D modeling, and forensic techniques, researchers have recreated what he might have looked like in youth and old age. These reconstructions bridge the gap between the desiccated features of his mummy and the living man who once commanded empires.

The progression—from the leathery, shrunken mummy to the youthful reconstruction with piercing eyes, and finally to the aged but dignified elder—humanizes Ramses II in a way that monuments alone cannot. He becomes not just a distant pharaoh but a person, one whose life spanned nearly a century and whose choices shaped the destiny of an empire.

Ramses II in Memory and Myth

For centuries after his death, Ramses II was remembered as the greatest of pharaohs. Later Egyptians referred to him simply as “the Great Ancestor.” His name appears in biblical tradition as a possible candidate for the Pharaoh of the Exodus, though historians continue to debate this. His reign became a benchmark for greatness, with later rulers aspiring to his legacy.

Even in modern times, Ramses II captures the imagination. Poets like Percy Bysshe Shelley immortalized his legacy in works such as Ozymandias, reflecting on the ruins of his monuments as symbols of both power and impermanence.

Emotional Resonance

The image of Ramses II’s mummy lying in its wrappings is haunting, yet deeply moving. It is rare to encounter the face of someone who lived over 3,000 years ago, let alone one who shaped history so profoundly. His features, preserved by ancient embalmers and revived by modern science, carry us across time.

Standing before his mummy in the Cairo Museum, one feels a strange mixture of awe and intimacy. Awe, at the sheer scale of his achievements, from Abu Simbel to Kadesh. Intimacy, because here lies not just a pharaoh but a man, with frailties, pains, and dreams.

Conclusion: The Eternal Pharaoh

Ramses II, who reigned from 1279 to 1213 BCE, continues to embody the grandeur of ancient Egypt. His reign of 66 years left monuments that still dominate the landscape, a peace treaty that echoes through history, and a legacy that shaped how both Egyptians and the world remember pharaohs.

The mummy and facial reconstructions bring him vividly to life, transforming a legendary ruler into a tangible human presence. They remind us that behind the grandeur of тιтles like “Ramses the Great” was a man who lived, aged, and died—yet whose memory endures across three millennia.

Through his monuments, his mummy, and his reconstructed face, Ramses II continues to reign—not over an empire, but over history itself.