Ramses II

Well before his death, Seti I appointed his son Ramses II, sometimes called Ramses the Great, as crown prince.

During the long reign of Ramses II (1279–13 bce), there was a prodigious amount of building, ranging from religious edifices throughout Egypt and Nubia to a new cosmopolitan capital, Pi Ramesse, in the eastern delta; his cartouches were carved ubiquitously, often on earlier monuments.

Ramses II’s penchant for decorating vast temple walls with battle scenes gives the impression of a mighty warrior king.

The king had an immense family by his numerous wives, among whom he especially honoured Nefertari. He dedicated a temple to her at Abū Simbel, in Nubia, and built a magnificent tomb for her in the Valley of the Queens.