Explore the history of Ramesses II in Civilization V, his military campaigns, the Battle of Kadesh, the first peace treaty, and his legacy as a great pharaoh.
This section details the historical figure of Ramesses II, a prominent pharaoh of Egypt, and his relevance within the context of Civilization V. It covers his early life, military endeavors, and significant achievements.
Ramesses II ascended to the throne after his father, Seti I, who had been engaged in conflicts with the Hittites. Ramesses himself began military training at a young age and accompanied his father on campaigns. Upon becoming pharaoh, Ramesses led expeditions to retake rebellious provinces and engaged in a significant conflict with the Hittites at the Battle of Kadesh. Although he achieved a marginal victory, his army was weakened, leading to a retreat.
Despite continued battles with the Hittites for over a decade, Ramesses also campaigned in Nubia and Libya. Eventually, he pursued peace, agreeing to the earliest known peace treaty with the Hittites in the twenty-first year of his reign. This treaty stabilized the borders between the two powers.
Early in his rule, Ramesses moved the capital to Pi-Ramesses in the Nile Delta, a location closer to the northern provinces and the Hittite border. This city became a major governmental and manufacturing center. Ramesses was also a prolific builder, commissioning numerous public works, temples, and monuments across Egypt, often featuring his own image.
Historians suggest Pi-Ramesses may be the biblical city of Raamses, and Ramesses II could be the pharaoh from the story of Moses and the Exodus, though this is debated. Ramesses II ruled for approximately 66 years, the second-longest reign in Egyptian history. He is remembered as a great pharaoh for stabilizing his empire, public works, and peace treaty.
Leader Scales:
- Victory Competitiveness: 4/10
- Wonder Competitiveness: 9/10
- City State Competitiveness: 5/10
- Boldness: 5/10
Ramesses is a strong competitor for building Wonders. Players are advised to build Wonders quickly to avoid him completing them first. He is average in city-state interactions and boldness, but his Wonder-building prowess can impact score-based victories.
Diplomacy Scales:
- War: 3/10
- Hostile: 7/10
- Deceptive: 6/10
- Guarded: 7/10
- Afraid: 6/10
- Friendly: 5/10
- Neutral: 5/10
Ramesses is generally disinclined to declare war but can be prone to aggressive posturing and threats.
100% Human-Written. AI Fact-Checked. Community Verified. Learn how AntMag verifies content