You're Dead to Me Ramesses the Great
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Dec 19, 2025 Join Ramesses the Great, performed in a humorous retelling by talented voice actors, as he walks us through the extravagant life of one of Ancient Egypt's most flamboyant pharaohs. Discover how he became king at just 24 and spun the narrative around the Battle of Kadesh to enhance his legendary status. From building a capital city complete with a zoo to racing in his Sed Festival at age 89, the episode is packed with quirky anecdotes, his many wives, and a hilariously sacred Apis Bull. Expect laughs and fun facts along the way!
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Regnal Dating Centers The King
- Ramesses II ruled during Egypt's New Kingdom and became king around age 24 in what we call 1279 BCE.
- Ancient Egyptians counted years from a king's accession, restarting at year one, which centered time on the ruler.
Kadesh: PR Over Reality
- The Battle of Kadesh was a celebrated event that Ramesses publicly portrayed as a great victory despite setbacks.
- In reality his troops were ambushed and the Hittites initially gained ground before a later peace treaty.
Building As Political Theatre
- Ramesses focused heavily on monumental building, founding a new capital Pi-Ramesses with temples, stables and a zoo.
- These constructions acted as political theatre to broadcast royal power and status across Egypt.