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[[Image:Ram2cartouche.JPG|thumb|200px|right|Cartouche of Ramesses II's prenomen, wsr-m3't-r' stp-n-r', sits above a symbolic representation of the uniting of Upper and Lower Egypt. From a throne of the colossi of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel]]

[[Image:Ram2cartouche.JPG|thumb|200px|right|Cartouche of Ramesses II's prenomen, wsr-m3't-r' stp-n-r', sits above a symbolic representation of the uniting of Upper and Lower Egypt. From a throne of the colossi of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel]]

'''Ramses II''' (also referred to as '''Ramesses II'''), was a [[pharaoh]] of [[Egypt]] who died in 1213 [[BC]].  Ramesses II lived during the latter half of the [[New Kingdom]], and he became known as '''Ramesses The Great''' as the most prominant ruler of the 19th Dynasty.  At the time of his death, he had fathered 96 [[Son|sons]] and 60 [[Daughter|daughters]].  

'''Ramses II''' (also referred to as '''Ramesses II'''), was a [[pharaoh]] of [[Egypt]] who died in 1213 [[BC]].  Ramesses II lived during the latter half of the [[New Kingdom]], and he became known as '''Ramesses The Great''' as the most prominant ruler of the 19th Dynasty.  At the time of his death, he had fathered at least 40 [[Son|sons]] and 44 [[Daughter|daughters]].  

== Background ==

== Background ==

Ramses II ascended to the throne in circa. 1279 BC, and ruled for 67 years, until circa 1213 BC, giving him the longest reign of the New Kingdom, and the longest since the reign of [[Pepi II]] of the 6th Dynasty. He was the son of [[Seti I]], who preceded him on the throne, and a direct descendent of [[Ramesses I]], the founder of the 19th Dynasty in peaceful succession.

Ramses II ascended to the throne in circa. 1279 BC, and ruled for 67 years, until circa 1213 BC, giving him the longest reign of the New Kingdom, and the longest since the reign of [[Pepi II]] of the 6th Dynasty. He was the son of [[Seti I]], who preceded him on the throne, and a direct descendent of [[Ramesses I]], the founder of the 19th Dynasty in peaceful succession.

During his long reign he married numerous wives, including a [[Hittite]] princess, though his principle wife was Nefertari, to whom he dedicated a temple in [[Abu Simbel]], alongside his own. In total he had well over 100 sons, 12 of whom predeceased him. He died aged 91, having becoming a full god in his own right, within his own lifetime, and having celebrated at least a dozen Sed festivals. He was succeeded by his 13th son, [[Merenptah]].

During his long reign he married numerous wives, including a [[Hittite]] princess, though his principle wife was Nefertari, to whom he dedicated a temple in [[Abu Simbel]], alongside his own. According to some sources, he may hav had well over 100 sons, 12 of whom predeceased him. He died aged 91, having becoming a full god in his own right, within his own lifetime, and having celebrated at least a dozen Sed festivals. He was succeeded by his 13th son, [[Merenptah]].