Name: _____________________________________________ Class: ____________ Date: ____________
Ancient Egypt Essay
Historical Background: Pharaohs controlled Ancient Egypt from about 3100 BC
until 332 BC, when the Greek military leader Alexander took control of Egypt.
Egypt was controlled by one hundred seventy pharaohs, beginning with Menes and
ending with Cleopatra in 30 BC. The pharaohs were believed by Egyptians to be
gods and had a lot of power. With this power, they had control over the lives of tens
of thousands of Egyptian people. They could be terrible dictators who brought
violence and suffering, or wonderful rulers who brought peace and success.
Ramses II was born about 1303 BC and died in 1213. He began his rule at age 24
and died at age 90. During his over sixty-year reign, he had a great effect on the
Egyptian people.
Inquiry Questions: Was Ramses II a good leader?
Directions: Read the documents. For each document answer the questions in the organizer on page 4.
Document A: Ramses II Killing a Libyan Leader
Context: There are no written records of Ramses
II's military actions against the Libyans. This
picture, however, shows Ramses conquering and
crushing the Libyans.
Source: Ramses II fighting and killing a Libyan leader, Temple of Abu Simbel, from Monuments of Egypt and
Nubia, Historical Monuments, by I. Rosellini, 1832.
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Document B: Nefertiti’s Temple of Abu Simbel
Context: The Temples at Abu Simbel are two
massive rock temples. Ramses II had these
temples carved out of a mountainside in 1264 BC
as a monument to his wife Nefertiti and to
celebrate his victory at the Battle of Kadesh.
Source: Photograph from May 30, 2007 by Thant217.
Document C: Egyptian-Hittite Peace Treaty
Context: The Egyptian–Hittite peace treaty was
made between Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses II and
Hittite King Hattusili III. The treaty was signed to
end a long war between the Hittite Empire and the
Egyptians, who had fought for over two hundred
years. The war ended with an Egyptian invasion
in 1274 BC that was stopped by the Hittites at the
city of Kadesh. The Battle of Kadesh resulted in
both sides suffering many deaths and injuries, but
neither side could be clearly called the winner.
Source: The treaty is located at the Istanbul Archeological Museum. Photograph from 2008 by G. Dallorto.
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Document D: The Poem of Pentaur
Context: The Poem of Pentaur is the official Egyptian record of the Battle of Kadesh with the Hittites in 1274
BCE. Ramses had the poem praising him carved into the walls of five temples, including Karnak. Pentaur, a
scribe who worked for Ramses, wrote it. Below is one of the verses from the poem.
“Gracious lord and bravest
king, savior-guard
Of Egypt in the battle, be our protector;
Behold we stand alone, in the
harsh Hittite country,
Save for us the breath of life,
Save us from the trouble,
Oh! Protect us Ramses!
Oh! Save us, mighty king!”
Source: Pen-ta-ur, quoted in The World’s Story, edited by Eva March Tappan
Document E: Ramses II
Context: This is a picture carved into a wall. In it, an enormous
Ramses holds several prisoners by their hair.
Source: 1290-1294 BCE, Egyptian Museum, Cairo; photograph, O. Louis Mazzatenta/National Geographic
Image Collection
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Use this page to organize your claims and evidence for each document.
Doc
What claim could be made about whether the
Ramses II was a good leader?
What evidence from the document did you use to make
this claim?
A
B
C
D
E
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