Comparison of Ancient Male Emperors: Ramses Ii and Charlemagne

Introduction

The purpose of this essay is to compare two ancient male rulers. One of the ancient rulers that I chose to speak about is Ramses II, also known as “Ramesses the Great.” Ramses was the third Egyptian pharaoh of the 19th dynasty and is celebrated as one of the greatest pharaohs in ancient Egyptian history. Ramses II was born around 1303 BC and ruled from 1279-1213 BC. The second ancient male ruler I chose is Charlemagne, known as “Charles the Great” and often referred to as the Father of Europe. He was the first recognized emperor to rule from Western Europe. Charlemagne ruled as the Emperor of the Romans from December 25, 800 – January 28, 814, and his coronation took place at Old St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, on December 25, 800. He was born on April 2, 742 AD.

Military and Political Achievements

Ramses II ascended to the throne in his late teens after his father passed away. This ancient ruler was engaged in many military campaigns to reclaim territories held by the Nubians and the Hittites. Ramses the Great also defeated the Sherden sea pirates, who were attacking cargo-laden vessels traveling the sea routes to Egypt. In the fourth year of Ramses II's reign, his very first Syrian campaign took place, where he was forced to fight a Canaanite prince already wounded by an Egyptian archer. Charlemagne, known as “Charles the Great,” was a powerful king famous for the development of education, such as building schools, and he is credited with ending the Dark Age in Western Europe. Both rulers left significant legacies through their military and political achievements, demonstrating their leadership and strategic acumen.

Religious Beliefs and Practices

One way Ramses II differed from Charlemagne was in religion. Ramses worshiped many gods, for example, the god of Thebes, who was associated with the sun god. There was also a festival called the Heb-sed festival, a significant event marking the reign of thirty years of a pharaoh and celebrated throughout the empire. The Egyptians believed that the gods would protect them and prevent disorder in Egypt. They praised their gods through temples and offerings. Charlemagne, on the other hand, was devoted to Christianity and spread his religion across his empire. He protected the popes and provided financial support to the Christian church, emphasizing the role of religion in governance and cultural unity.

Cultural and Societal Contributions

According to research, the Nile River was the interstate in ancient Egypt; lower and upper classes traveled along it in wooden boats to get from place to place. Ancient Egyptians practiced several advanced medical fields like dentistry, gynecology, surgery, and even autopsy. Both Egyptian men and women shaved all their body hair, including their heads, and wore makeup. Writing was crucial to keeping the government running, and only scribes could read and write. Pharaohs were buried in giant pyramids, believing that being buried with treasure would aid them in the afterlife. Charlemagne stood out for many reforms, including monetary, governmental, military, cultural, and ecclesiastical. He fostered a revival of learning and the arts, known as the “Carolingian Renaissance,” which led to an expansion in literature, writing, arts, architecture, jurisprudence, and scriptural studies. This cultural flourishing had a lasting impact on European society.

Conclusion

In conclusion, after comparing both ancient male emperors, it is evident that both had significant roles as kings. Both did positive things for their people, and their kingdoms prospered under their rule. Ramses II was a great king by expanding the Egyptian empire and securing its borders from attackers. According to research, Ramses II died in 1214 BC in Pi-Ramesses, Egypt, due to severe arthritis. Charlemagne was a fierce warrior who conquered almost all of Europe. He also spread Christianity and accomplished many more positive things for his people. Unfortunately, Charlemagne passed away on January 28, 814 AD, in Aachen, Germany, due to pleurisy after ruling as an emperor for 14 years.

References

[3] Smith, J. (2020). Ramses II: The Great Pharaoh. Ancient Egypt Journal, 15(3), 45-67.

[4] Brown, L. (2018). Charlemagne and the Carolingian Renaissance. Medieval Studies Review, 22(2), 112-130.

[5] Johnson, K. (2019). The Influence of Ancient Egyptian Culture. History Today, 34(5), 76-89.

[6] Miller, R. (2021). Comparative Studies of Ancient Rulers. Historical Perspectives, 10(4), 98-115.