Ramses the Great's 67-Year Reign: What Made It Last

Ramses II ruled Egypt for 67 years, longer than almost any other pharaoh. How did he hold onto power for so long in the volatile Late Bronze Age? This episode of Fexingo History explores the practical strategies behind his longevity: from his careful management of the priestly class at Karnak and Amun-Re's temple, to his strategic use of royal marriages including the famous Hittite peace treaty, to his unprecedented building program that employed thousands and kept the economy stable. We examine how Ramses balanced the competing powers of the Amun priesthood, the military elite, and the royal family, particularly his sons Khaemwaset and Merenptah. We also look at the role of the Deir el-Medina workmen's strike in Year 29, the earliest recorded labor action in history, and what it reveals about his rule. And we consider the succession crisis after his death that nearly unraveled the 19th Dynasty. From Per-Ramesses to the Valley of the Kings, this is the story of how one man kept a vast empire together for nearly seven decades. #RamsesII #AncientEgypt #19thDynasty #Kemet #Pharaoh #PerRamesses #Karnak #AmunRe #Khaemwaset #Merenptah #DeirElMedina #HittitePeace #LateBronzeAge #NewKingdom #Succession #BuildingProgram #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo