Ramses the Great

One of the monuments made for Ramses

Ramses “The Great” was another name for Ramses II. He was a great warrior, and signed the first peace treaty in history.

Ramses was born from a family that originated from Delta, Egypt. Generations of his family were in years of Egyptian military service. Seti I, Ramses father, was also a very famous pharaoh. Ramses was said to be tall, skinny, and had a head full of red hair.

Ramses reigned for 67 years, during the 19th dynasty of the 12th century B.C. Soon after Ramses took charge, Egypt reached a time of overwhelming prosperity. When he first became pharaoh at age 20, he had a test to accomplish to prove himself. He had to lead his army to victory with the war against Kadesh. He situated his capital near Avaris, Egypt and built many town homes there for his army and his people.

Ramses also faced another difficulty; they were at war against the Hittites, a small nation from Anatolia, Egypt. Ramses decided to go to war with the Hittites because the Hittite King was trying to take control of Syria. After many years of war and hostility, Ramses decided to negotiate a peace treaty with his enemy. This was after their old King Muwatallis died. Years after the new King took charge, Ramses signed the very first peace treaty in history. Ramses and the new King of the Hittites negotiated that they split Syria between the two powerful men. Later in 1270 B.C. Ramses married a Hittite princess.

Ramses is my hero from history mostly because he was fighting in a war for what he believed in. It wasn’t for something silly, or greedy, just because he didn’t want his land taken over. In the end, there was a new King that wanted to settle things too. That was when he signed the first peace treaty in History. He was a great warrior but also knew when to quit. Ramses cared for his people, and his army. He was a passionate man, and cared for everything. Ramses was an amazing pharaoh and was someone important enough to make thousands of monuments to recognize his contributions.