GEM 6770

Rhetorical Stela of King Ramesses II

This stela is one of several double-faced granite slabs inscribed with poetic praise of King Ramesses II’s military might. Originally installed at the grand temple complex in Pi-Ramesses, his royal capital in the Nile Delta, it was later relocated to the temple of Amun in Tanis, the new capital of the eastern Delta. Each stela features a dramatic hymn that glorifies Ramesses II's victories and portrays him as an unstoppable divine warrior. These inscriptions were meant to awe and inspire—both spiritually and politically. One passage vividly describes his enemies crumbling in terror, stating: “The earth was in awe of him. Their chiefs melted like wax, their hearts failed, and their bodies were consumed.” The verses go beyond simple praise—they create a mythic image of a king chosen by the gods, embodying divine wrath and justice. Such rhetorical texts served to reinforce Ramesses II’s divine legitimacy and military superiority across temple gateways and public monuments. These poetic proclamations were not just decorative; they were ancient propaganda, projecting power to allies, rivals, and the gods themselves. Installed at key ritual and processional sites, the stelae worked as both art and declaration—transforming the king’s victories into eternal truths carved in stone. This was Ramesses II’s voice echoing through time: a king not merely remembered, but revered.This stela is one of several double-faced granite slabs inscribed with poetic praise of King Ramesses II’s military might. Originally installed at the grand temple complex in Pi-Ramesses, his royal capital in the Nile Delta, it was later relocated to the temple of Amun in Tanis, the new capital of the eastern Delta. Each stela features a dramatic hymn that glorifies Ramesses II's victories and portrays him as an unstoppable divine warrior. These inscriptions were meant to awe and inspire—both spiritually and politically. One passage vividly describe ... Entdecken Sie mehr mit Premium!

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