On this day: 1279 BC - Ramses II becomes pharaoh of Ancient Egypt

Ramses II often referred to as: “Ramses the Great”, was the Egyptian pharaoh of the nineteenth dynasty. He is often regarded as the most powerful pharaoh of the Egyptian Empire.

At the age of 14, Ramses was made Prince Regent by his father Seti I. Ramses is thought to have taken the throne in his late teens and is known to have ruled Egypt for a total of 66 years and 2 months, from 1279 BC to 1213 BC.

Ramses was first believed to have lived up to the age of 99 but it is more likely that he died at the age of 90 or 91.

Ramses is believed to have assumed the throne on May 31, 1279 BC, according to Egyptologists.