Rameses I I: The Last Great Pharaoh

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Rameses I I: The Last Great Pharaoh Rameses I I (also commonly spelled Ramesses I I or Ramses I I) was the third pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty, son of pharaoh Seti I, and grandson of pharaoh Rameses I. He ruled for approximately 66 years in the middle of a period known as the New Kingdom when Egypt was most powerful. During his reign from 1279-1213 BC, Egypt enjoyed an era of prosperity and stability, not only internally, but externally as well. He is responsible for the building of more monuments and famous structures than any other pharaoh, having many structures and statues renamed as if he commissioned them himself. By the end of his unusually long reign, he was famous throughout the ancient world and considered by many to be the last great pharaoh. His grandfather, Rameses I was chosen as heir to King Horemheb, the last king of the 18th Dynasty who had no sons or heirs, after serving as general, Commander of the Army of the Ruler of Two Lands, High Priest of all the Gods, and Hereditary Prince of the Entire Land. King Horemheb chose Rameses I as his successor because he had no children of his own. Rameses I not only had a son, Seti I, a soldier, but a grandson, also called Rameses as well. Having a strong military background, sons, and grandsons were important and helped King Horemheb make his decision and ensured Rameses I of having heirs to carry on the new dynasty. In 1295 BC, King Horemheb died and his successor, Rameses I, secret burial rites in the Valley of the Kings. Rameses I took this time to pick out his own burial tomb and began preparations to be buried next to his friend Horemheb. Rameses I and his son Seti planned fabulous buildings, and had existing buildings and monuments redone with pictures, rituals and the names of Rameses I and Seti. After this work was started Seti was sent back to train the military and even led a small army

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