Ramesses II

Ramesses II was one of the most powerful and influential pharaohs of ancient Egypt. He ruled for 66 years, from 1279 to 1213 BC, and was known for his military campaigns, his building projects, and his longevity. He fought against the Hittites, the Libyans, the Nubians, and other enemies to expand and secure the Egyptian empire. He also constructed many temples, monuments, and statues to honor himself and the gods, such as the famous Abu Simbel, the Ramesseum, and the colossal statue of himself in Memphis. He celebrated 14 Sed festivals, more than any other pharaoh, to renew his vitality and divine power. He was regarded as a great ancestor by his successors and by the Egyptian people. He was also known by the Greeks as Ozymandias, and his name inspired a famous poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley. His mummy was discovered in 1881 and is now on display at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo.