rămˈsēz, Rameses, or Ramessesboth: rămˈəsēzˌ, name of several kings of ancient Egypt of the XIX and XX dynasties. The kings of the XX dynasty, all named Ramses but the first, are often, on that account, called Ramessides or Ramessids. Ramses I, d. c.1314 b.c., succeeded Horemheb, the true founder of the XIX dynasty. He died after only one year as king.

His son was Seti I, whose son in turn was Ramses II, d. 1225 b.c. Ramses was not the heir to the throne but usurped it from his brother. He reigned for 67 years (1292–1225 b.c.). Under him Egypt acquired unprecedented splendor. His empire extended from S Syria to near the Fourth Cataract of the Nile. The most notable incident of his reign was the battle near Kadesh on the Orontes, where the Egyptians were ambushed by the Hittites. Ramses, claiming to have saved his forces single-handed, had vast texts written about his personal valor. War continued with the Hittites for about 15 years until Ramses concluded a treaty of friendship (1280) with the Hittite king and married (1267) a Hittite princess.

Ramses left monuments throughout Egypt. The principal ones are probably the temple at Karnak, which he completed; the Rameseum, his mortuary temple, at Thebes; the temple at Luxor; and the great rock temple at Abu Simbel with four seated figures of the king on the facade. The period of his rule was characterized by great luxury, increased slavery, and the growth of a mercenary army, all of which led to the final decline of Egypt. He was probably the pharaoh of the exile mentioned in the Old Testament. Merneptah succeeded him.

The period of anarchy that followed Merneptah was ended by Ramses III, d. 1167 b.c., the last important Ramses (reigned c.1198–1167 b.c.) and second king of the XX dynasty. He fought off the attempted invasions of the Libyans and the threat of the sea peoples who were camping in Syria waiting to invade Egypt. Although he was able to maintain an Asian empire in Palestine, he was the last Egyptian king to hold territory in this region. The accumulation of slaves and riches in the temples and the tremendous wealth of the nobility weakened the Egyptian social structure so that it could not recover. The last year of Ramses III was darkened by the conspiracy of his wife Tiy. The XX dynasty continued to be ruled by kings with the name Ramses, but little of significance occurred during their reigns. The dynasty ended with Ramses XI in 1090 b.c.

See studies by J. D. Schmidt (1973) and P. Montet (1981).

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