Ramses II in face of asian deities : some new considerations

Abstract EN

Ancient Egyptian religion had embraced many foreign gods and goddesses.

Perhaps the reason behind this is the expansion made by the kings of the New kingdom, conquering many countries that include different civilizations and cultures from the ancient Egyptian civilization.

Also, the military expansion made by the kings of the New Kingdom to the Egyptian borders which became an Empire.

During the reign of king Ramses II, who had ascended the throne of Egypt after prominent kings, was able to establish a powerful empire.

It is worth mentioning that king Ramses II who was always proud by his victories and military campaigns, was interested in showing himself humiliating all his enemies through reliefs, statues.

So, art during king Ramses II played a vital role in reflecting this power and domination.

This paper aims to shed light on the representations of king Ramses II with the foreign deities.

It investigates the reasons behind king Ramses II's choice of these gods and goddesses to be represented.

The paper discusses these gods and goddesses' costumes, positions, emblems.

The paper concluded that king Ramses II is considered one of the most Egyptian kings who appeared in various representations with foreign gods, and artists tried hard to show these gods and goddesses with an Egyptian appearance that is in line with the Egyptian king while preserving the foreign tendency of each god.

The artists had put a system during the reign of king Ramses II; they managed to Egyptianize all foreign deities.

This means that all Asian and Palestinian gods and goddesses represented with king Ramses II were in Egyptian features while keeping their ethnicity.