Ruler Ramses Curse Heroism In ancient Egyptian history, one of the most infamous rulers was Ramses the Great. He was known for his military conquests and ambitious building projects, such as the temples of Abu Simbel and the Ramesseum. However, along with his accomplishments, Ramses also faced a curse that has become legendary. According to legend, anyone who disturbs the tomb of Ramses the Great will be cursed with misfortune and death. This curse has intrigued archaeologists and historians for centuries, leading to numerous theories and stories surrounding its origins and effects. Despite the potential dangers associated with the curse, there have been brave individuals who took on the challenge of exploring the tomb of Ramses.
In Ancient Egypt, the pharaohs were seen as alink between the gods and the common people, and were considered to be divine themselves. Ramesses was no exception. To ensure that he was always in the thoughts of his subjects, he commissioned more statues of himself than any other pharaoh. Typically, they featured a cobra on his crown, a sacred animal believed to protect against one’s enemies.
As was common amongst pharaohs,Ramesses was married to several women at the same time; it s estimated he had eight official wives and a number of concubines. Ramesses had fallen for the oldest trick in the book the Hittites, under the leadership of King Muwatalli II, had already reached Kadesh and were waiting just over the hill.
Despite the potential dangers associated with the curse, there have been brave individuals who took on the challenge of exploring the tomb of Ramses. These heroes disregarded the superstitions and believed in their own skills and knowledge to overcome any potential curses. Their heroism is seen in their determination to uncover the secrets hidden within the tomb.
Ruler Ramses curse heroism
Born a commoner, his family's military skills brought Ramesses to the throne at the age of just 15. He immediately faced serious challenges. The Egyptian empire was under threat from the Hittites, who lived in what is now Turkey. They were far more advanced than the Egyptians and were already pushing against the northern border of Egypt's empire.
Testing the new king
An inexperienced, young king presented them with the perfect opportunity to extend their own empire. Within a few years, they had invaded and captured the strategically important trading town of Kadesh.
Ramesses raised an army and sped off to fight the Hittites. He was a young man, highly confident, but also impulsive. This would cause him some serious problems.
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The Egyptian advance party camped outside Kadesh and waited for the others to catch up. He was not expecting battle any time soon and the capture of two spies confirmed that the Hittites were still some distance from the Egyptian camp. Ramesses believed them and didn't bother sending out any scouts of his own.
This was a massive mistake: the spies were Hittite agents sent to lull the Egyptians into a trap. The Hittites were actually camped just across the river, ready to attack. At the very last minute, Ramesses discovered their plan and immediately sent for reinforcements.
Saved by the cavalry
But it was too late. The Hittites attacked. The Egyptians soon crumbled and the battle looked all but lost. Luckily, the reinforcements which Ramesses had ordered arrived just in time. They surprised the Hittites and left the Egyptians holding the battlefield.
Ramesses had been fortunate, but had not achieved the decisive victory he wanted. He knew the Hittites would return to attack towns like Kadesh.
Bring on the spin
Despite this, Ramesses began a huge campaign that claimed that he had won the battle single-handed. Across Egypt, temple walls were carved with this official version of the battle. It was spin-doctoring on a grand scale.
Although his people thought him a hero, Ramesses knew perfectly well that he couldn't defeat the Hittites. He had to cut a deal. Long negotiations led to a peace treaty with the Hittites, which was cemented when Ramesses married a Hittite princess and brought her home to his new capital, Per Ramesses.
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Now at peace, Ramesses could concentrate on his two great loves - his chief queen, Nefertari, and himself. He constructed the Ramesseum, a temple, purpose-built to manufacture tales of his greatness. At its heart was the House of Life, a massive library dedicated to glorifying the pharaoh. It contained some 10,000 papyrus scrolls that created an official image of Ramesses that was larger than life.
He also began a building program far greater than anything ever seen before. An entire village, Deir el Medineh, housed craftsmen whose sole purpose was to build two magnificent tombs. These were carved out of mountains in southern Egypt and were constructed for Ramesses and Nefertari.
But the building did not end there. Almost every temple in Egypt was redecorated or rebuilt. At Karnak, the most holy of temples, a field of 134 columns were carved, each 69 feet tall and shaped like papyrus trees.
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Ramesses also knew that he needed heirs and over his long life, he boasted that he had fathered 80 sons and around 60 daughters. But his long life meant that many of his children died before him and he had to train 12 sons to be crown prince.
When Ramesses finally did die, he was 93 years old, an incredible age in a land where most died before they were 40. Egypt was paralyzed with grief. Nearly all of his subjects had been born in his reign and thought the world would end without him. In a way they were right.
Ramesses II did become the legendary figure he so desperately wanted to be, but this was not enough. New enemies were attacking the empire and it could not last. Less than 150 years after Ramesses died, his empire fell, his descendants lost their power and the New Kingdom came to an end.
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They find the courage to face the unknown and the dangers that come with it. By doing so, these individuals push the boundaries of human knowledge and contribute to our understanding of ancient civilizations. Heroism also lies in their dedication to preservation and the study of history. Despite the potential risks, these individuals understand the importance of preserving our past and uncovering the mysteries it holds. They believe that the knowledge gained from exploring the tombs of ancient rulers like Ramses is invaluable and can provide insight into the lives and beliefs of those who came before us. The Curse of Ramses, while fascinating and tantalizing, should not overshadow the heroism of those who choose to explore its mysteries. These individuals put their lives on the line to uncover history and shed light on the ancient world. Their bravery and dedication should be admired and celebrated, showing us the true meaning of heroism..
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