The most powerful of pharaohs, Ramses II - called Ramses the Great - was worshiped as a god during his lifetime. Like the pyramids, his name is an emblem of Egyptian culture.

For the first time in Germany, the Badisches Landesmuseum at Karlsruhe Palace is dedicating a special exhibition to the pharaoh who ruled over Egypt for 66 years - longer than any other - and who, according to legend, had 100 children.

Third king of the 19th dynasty

The exhibition "Ramses, Divine Ruler on the Nile" offers a glimpse of a fascinating personality and his time: Ramses as a family man, general, pharaoh, architect and god.

Ramses' domestic policy gave rise to a flourishing cultural and economic period. In 1274 BC, after the famous Battle of Kadesh with the Hittites from Anatolia, he negotiated the oldest known written peace treaty in world history.

Ramses demonstrated his imperial power by covering his empire with enormous temple complexes and colossal statues, including Abu Simbel, the Ramesseum memorial temple in Thebes and the columned court of Luxor Temple.

Most powerful of pharaohs

Using models and presentations, the Ramses exhibition gives visitors a feel for this monumentality.

The exhibits include small statues of gods and valuable gifts from the pharaoh to his neighbors, some never before displayed in public. Some of Ramses' family members, like his son Khaemweset or his wife Nefertari, are introduced with unique artifacts from their graves.

The exhibition also presents the latest research results of the excavations in Ramses' capital city, Pi-Ramesse (House of Ramses).

Opening on December 17, the show runs through June 18, 2017.