Ramases II 1300BC

Ramases II

Falcon King, He of the Two Goddesses, Horus of Gold, King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Use-mare, Son of Re.

The Ramases II Association is a unique living history group dedicated to recreating the life and times of Ramases II and the Battle of Qadesh.

The earliest battle in history, which can be reconstructed in detail, Qadesh pitted the two great warriors of the age against each other, Muwatallish of Hatti and the great Warrior-Pharaoh Ramases II.

The period is 1300 BC and the group will portray Ancient Egyptian life both in battle and at rest. As well as attending re-enactment events when we display skill at arms and specific aspects of warfare during this period, the Association also involves itself in educational shows and historical displays. Activities range from the drill, discipline and manoeuvres of the Egyptian infantryman, demonstrations of the different types of infantry seen at this period and providing an interesting insight into the civilian life of the soldier.

Not only did Ramases II lead at the Battle of Qadesh, the most famous battle of ancient Egyptian history but also established one the most famous monuments in all of ancient Egypt, Abu Simbel.

Menfyt - Egyptian heavy infantryman

Throughout the New Kingdom, the Egyptian army was built around a core of long-service veteran heavy infantry, as shown here. While this grizzled and battle-hardened 'menfyt' carries the same weaponry of bronze khopesh sword and spear that typified most New Kingdom infantry, his appearance is that of a 19th Dynasty trooper and thus represents the heavy infantry found in four corps of Amun, P'Re, Sutekh (Set) and Ptah at the Battle of Qadesh. Distinctive 19th Dynasty features include the strengthened head-dress, the stiffened linen-padded body amour and large oval shaped groin guard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Living History