Maat
The most important role of the pharaoh was to maintain maat throughout the empire - ‘the divinely established order of truth and justice in the universe’. Through the preservation of maat, the empire would be governed efficiently with no disruptions. To successfully establish maat within the kingdom the pharaoh had to uphold his image as a great warrior, builder and pharaoh and have a good relationship with the gods.
Throughout Ramesses II’s reign he aimed, as pharaoh, to preserve maat throughout the empire. The pharaoh effectively presented himself in many roles. Historians view Ramesses as one of the most significant builders in Egyptian history as he erecting colossal sized monument and temples throughout Egypt. The numerous temples refurnished and built by Ramesses were dedicated to specific gods. By doing this, Ramesses demonstrated his devotion to the gods, successfully creating a land free from chaos and disaster through the blessings of the gods. Although these aspects all contributed to maintaining maat, Ramesses role as warrior and diplomat had a significant impact on the whether peace, justice and harmony was achieved.
Diplomat
Throughout Ramesses lifetime he portrayed himself as a mighty warrior, within his earlier years continually launching campaigns within Syria and displaying propaganda throughout temples and constructions within Egypt. Although Ramesses did have various campaigns many were not effective in bringing peace to Egypt. Consequently, Ramesses resorted to diplomatic actions. A war between the Hittite ad Egyptian territories had been raging for over ten years and as a result within year twenty-one of Ramesses reign an alliance was arranged between the Hittite and Egyptian empire. This was significant as it brought peace between the two major empires and allowed the Egyptian empire to flourish and grow under the reign of Ramesses, continuing over a century after his death. Historians believe this treaty to be the first official ‘peace treaty’ to be officially arranged between to societies. The peace treaty was reinforced several years later with a marriage alliance between the Hittite princess, Maatnefrure and Ramesses.
Throughout Ramesses II’s reign he aimed, as pharaoh, to preserve maat throughout the empire. The pharaoh effectively presented himself in many roles. Historians view Ramesses as one of the most significant builders in Egyptian history as he erecting colossal sized monument and temples throughout Egypt. The numerous temples refurnished and built by Ramesses were dedicated to specific gods. By doing this, Ramesses demonstrated his devotion to the gods, successfully creating a land free from chaos and disaster through the blessings of the gods. Although these aspects all contributed to maintaining maat, Ramesses role as warrior and diplomat had a significant impact on the whether peace, justice and harmony was achieved.
Diplomat
Throughout Ramesses lifetime he portrayed himself as a mighty warrior, within his earlier years continually launching campaigns within Syria and displaying propaganda throughout temples and constructions within Egypt. Although Ramesses did have various campaigns many were not effective in bringing peace to Egypt. Consequently, Ramesses resorted to diplomatic actions. A war between the Hittite ad Egyptian territories had been raging for over ten years and as a result within year twenty-one of Ramesses reign an alliance was arranged between the Hittite and Egyptian empire. This was significant as it brought peace between the two major empires and allowed the Egyptian empire to flourish and grow under the reign of Ramesses, continuing over a century after his death. Historians believe this treaty to be the first official ‘peace treaty’ to be officially arranged between to societies. The peace treaty was reinforced several years later with a marriage alliance between the Hittite princess, Maatnefrure and Ramesses.