Overview

Everyone has heard of Ramesses the Great - but what is the truth behind the legend? Joyce Tyldesley's lively book explores the life and times of Egypt's greatest king. Ramesses II was the archetypal Egyptian pharoah- a mighty warrior, an extravagant builder and the father of scores of children. His momuments and image were to be found in every corner of the Egyptian empire. This is his amazing story.

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9780140280975

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In her new book, 'Tyldesley has added a new, more human dimension' to the picture we have of Ramesses and 'her book should be required reading for Egypt's imaginative tour guides' The Sunday Times

In any list of the world's great monarchs, Ramesses II, who reigned over Egypt between 1279-13BC, must come in the top half-dozen. A captain in the army at ten (and with his own household and harem) he was a stylish king. But for his people, it was his achievements as a war leader that were most important: the battle of Kedesh was famous in song and story - it is a fascinating and inspiring story, which is told well, if somewhat dryly in this book. Ramesses achievements as a builder were also astounding: the great hypostyle hall at Karnak was built by him as were the temple of Abydos, the funerary temple at Luxor, and the Ramesseum. Tyldesley does her best to personalize Ramesses - but little is known of him as a husband and father. His bestknown wife was the handsome Nefertari, with whom he seems genuinely to have been in love, which his other wives and concubines are misty figures - as are his over 100 children. He was a master of publicity and his mummy gazes sternly at us from his coffin in Cairo, authoritative and compelling even after 3000 years. He was surely a model of what a king should be, and this study of him is a worthy successor - and perhaps companion - to K A Kitchen's Pharoah Triumphant. (Kirkus UK)

Author Information

Joyce Tyldesley is Honorary Research Fellow at the School of Archaeology, Classics, and Oriental Studies at Liverpool University and a freelance writer and lecturer on Egyptian archaeology. She is based in Bolton and her previous books include DAUGHTERS OF ISIS- WOMEN OF ANCIENT EGYPT, HATCHEPSUT- THE FEMALE PHAROAH and NEFERTITI- EGYPT'S SUN QUEEN.

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