2. WHO WAS THE MOST
POWERFUL PERSON IN ANCIENT
EGYPT?
• The most powerful person in ancient Egypt was the Pharaoh.The pharaoh was the political and
religious leader of the Egyptian people, holding the titles: 'Lord of the Two Lands' and 'High
Priest of Every Temple'.
• As 'Lord of the Two Lands' the pharaoh was the ruler of Upper and Lower Egypt. He owned all
of the land, made laws, collected taxes, and defended Egypt against foreigners.
• As 'High Priest of Every Temple', the pharaoh represented the gods on Earth. He performed
rituals and built temples to honor the gods.
• Many pharaohs went to war when their land was threatened or when they wanted to control
foreign lands. If the pharaoh won the battle, the conquered people had to recognize the
Egyptian pharaoh as their ruler and offer him the finest and most valuable goods from their
land.
3. HISTORY OF THE PHARAOHS
OF ANCIENT EGYPT
• A long time ago,Ancient Egypt was a civilization ruled by pharaohs. Egyptians did not call their
ruler a pharaoh, though, before 1554 BC during the 18th dynasty. Before that, pharaoh meant
"Great House" in Egyptian and referred to the palace of the king. It was later added to the
pharaoh's name as part of his title.
• The pharaoh was the high priest of all temples, the head of law and administration, and the
commander of the army.The Egyptians believed pharaohs were great people that were half-man
and half-god. Since only the pharaoh and priests were allowed to enter temples,Ancient
Egyptians had to ask the pharaoh to speak to the gods for them.This made the pharaoh very
powerful in the minds of regular Egyptians!
4. HISTORY OF THE PHARAOHS
OF ANCIENT EGYPT -
continue
• The Ancient Egyptians believed that the pharaoh's spirit could live for an eternity, which means
forever.They believed that the pharaoh would become a god after he died, so pharaohs were
buried in a tomb with many treasures which could be enjoyed in their Afterlife.
• Many of the statues of pharaohs have cobra heads on them. Pharaohs wore a cobra figure to
protect them from evil.
• There were many different pharaohs, some woman and some men.They ruled Ancient Egypt for
thousands of years.
5. RAMSES II
• Ramses II became King of Egypt when he was about 30 years old in
1279 BC. He was king for 67 years until 1212 BC. He had a lot of
wives, 111 sons and 51 daughters. Ramses II was a great warrior.
During his fourth year as pharaoh, Ramses II fought to regain the
territory in Africa and western Asia that had been taken by the
Hittites. He fought in a series of campaigns against the Hittites, a
very strong enemy.The war ended when Ramses II made an
agreement with the Prince of the Hittites to divide the land
between the two groups. Egypt agreed not to trespass on the
Hittites territory and the Hittites agreed not to trespass on
Egyptian territory.
• Ramses II was also a great builder. He built many temples
throughout his empire.
• He was a great builder and a famed warrior. He built many temples
and monuments in Karnak, Luxor and Nubia. His Chief queen was
Nefertari. He had a beautiful temple constructed for her in Nubia.
6. Ozymandias
• If Ramesses’ intention was to keep his name living for eternity then he succeeded most effectively.
His enduring monuments, his statues, that other monarchs took his name, and the written word
(ancient and modern) have all given us good reason to call his reign Great.
• 'Ozymandias' is a poem that represents a king's assumed permanence.At the same time though, it
shows the ugly details of a king's demeanor and how he can be eroded and forcefully destroyed
without attention.
• Then, the narrator continues:
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
• The status of the statue is described in detail in the poem in an effort to add to the theme even
further. Ozymandias' 'trunkless legs', 'shattered visage' and 'colossal wreck' describe his current
condition in full detail, however contradicting his permanence.Although the former tyrant is
wrecked, he still remains glorious and durable because the human emotion of his magnitude still
surrounds his permanence.
7. Ozymandias
• The status of the statue is described in detail in the poem in an effort to add to the theme even
further. Ozymandias' 'trunkless legs', 'shattered visage' and 'colossal wreck' describe his current
condition in full detail, however contradicting his permanence.Although the former tyrant is
wrecked, he still remains glorious and durable because the human emotion of his magnitude still
surrounds his permanence.
• At the same time, his legend puts his visual representation in the shade.The sculptor seems to
understand with phrases like 'the "hand that mocked' and 'heart that fed' that Ozymandias has
shown sneer for those weaker than himself, yet fed his people because of a secret passion in his
heart.
• The arrogant attitude reflected on king's words 'My name is Ozymandias, king of kings' discloses
legacy.Though the monument is not in an overall good condition, these words are precise and
imperishable.
8. Ozymandias
• And finally:
• Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away
• Ozymandias is broken into pieces and abandoned in an empty desert, suggesting that tyranny is
temporary. Moreover, it signifies that no political leader, especially a tyrant, can expect to have
long-lasting power or real influence.The broken monument represents also the disintegration of
civilization and culture.
• However, it is obvious that no amount of decomposition, time, or distance can obliterate the
eternalness of the statue, and everything it represents historically and emotionally.The
permanence of the legend is imperative to the understanding of the poem.Thousands of years
have passed since the construction of the monument, but still it remains.Though the 'lone and
level sands stretch far away' from the ruins, it is there to be seen.Though 'Nothing beside
remains', the legacy is not ruined.
