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Pharaohs had ruled Egypt for more than 1800 years before Rameses
II took the throne to rule the country for 67 years. The traveler
who sails up the Nile River to view the vestiges of Egypt's fantastic
history might conclude that Rameses II was the most important
of only a handful of pharaohs who had ruled Egypt. From the Delta
to the great rock hewn temple of Abu Simbel seven hundred miles
to the south his name is on almost every building and his image
is repeatedly seen in gigantic statues. Many of the buildings
on which he placed his name were built by his forebears but many
were partially or completely constructed during his reign. He
was Egypt's greatest builder, conqueror, and perhaps its greatest
self advertiser. This charming relief depicts Rameses as a serious
young boy soon to become the great pharaoh of Egypt. A single
lock of hair hangs at the side of his shaven head. His fingers
placed to the lips convey a thoughtful attitude while at the
same time suggesting the image of the falcon god Horus who was
always identified with Egypt's king. This is a picture of a boy
who, before becoming the mighty pharaoh, was close to the rule
of Seti the First, his father. |
