Egypt S Ramesside Pharaohs And The Persians

The accepted chronology of ancient Egypt, Persia and Babylonia is wrong to a dramatic degree, with some major historical events mis-dated by several centuries. Matching events, matching biographies, and matching cultural artifacts show that many important people whom we are taught lived in different eras were, in fact, contemporaries. Modern Egyptologists tell us that Seti I and Ramses II reigned 700 years before the rise of the Medes and Persians, but Emmet Sweeney marshals archeological and linguistic evidence to show that Ramses II's dynasty was terminated by the Persian Conquest of Egypt (525 BC). Seti II, hailed by the Egyptians as a warrior and hero, turns out to be one and the same as Inaros, the Egyptian patriot who waged war against Xerxes and was eventually impaled on the orders of Artaxerxes I. Egypt's Ramesside Pharaohs and the Persians represents the final volume in the reconstruction of Near Eastern antiquity, bringing us from the start of the 6th century down to the early 3rd. The history presented here will appear at the same time both familiar and startlingly new. Readers will see how Ramses II, normally believed to have reigned during the 14th/13th century BC, was actually a contemporary of Cyrus the Great, founder of the mighty Persian Empire. They shall find how during the latter years of Ramses II, Cyrus usurped the Median throne and, under the Assyrian title of Tukulti-apil-esharra (Tiglath-Pileser), conquered Lydia, Babylon, and all of Palestine as far as the borders of Egypt. Names well-known from biblical history, such as Sargon and Nebuchadrezzar, are shown to be identical to characters equally well-known from classical history including Darius I, Artaxerxes I and others. Analyzing events like the Persian War against Greece, and Alexander’s conquest of Persia, Emmet Sweeney goes far beyond studying the monuments of each land. He has consulted ancient authors such as Manetho and Herodotus, as well as the hieroglyphic documents of Egypt, but in addition, Sweeney discusses how the design of chariots, for example, went through a very definite evolution, an evolution accurately depicted by the artists of the time. Close study of such evidence may help to date the reign of a king with a high degree of accuracy. Three dozen illustrations and a variety of timelines help bring the startling picture into sharp focus.

Warrior, mighty builder, and statesman, over the course of his 67-year-long reign (1279-1212 BCE), Ramesses II achieved more than any other pharaoh in the three millennia of ancient Egyptian civilization. Drawing on the latest research, Peter Brand reveals Ramesses the Great as a gifted politician, canny elder statesman, and tenacious warrior. With restless energy, he fully restored the office of Pharaoh to unquestioned levels of prestige and authority, thereby bringing stability to Egypt. He ended almost seven decades of warfare between Egypt and the Hittite Empire by signing the earliest international peace treaty in recorded history. In his later years, even as he outlived many of his own children and grandchildren, Ramesses II became a living god and finally, an immortal legend. With authoritative knowledge and colorful details Brand paints a compelling portrait of this legendary Pharaoh who ruled over Imperial Egypt during its Golden Age.

“An entertaining and informative romp, from the joys of imported beer to the horror of invasion . . . demonstrates the extent of Egyptian foreign affairs.”—Ancient Egypt Magazine The ancient Egyptians presented themselves as superior to all other people in the world; on temple walls, the pharaoh is shown smiting foreign enemies—people from Nubia, Libya and the Levant or crushing them beneath his chariot. But despite such imagery, from the beginning of their history, the Egyptians also enjoyed friendly relations with neighboring cultures; both Egyptians and foreigners crossed the deserts and seas exchanging goods gathered from across the known world. War & Trade with the Pharaohs explores Egypt’s connections with the wider world over the course of 3,000 years, introducing readers to ancient diplomacy, travel, trade, warfare, domination, and immigration—both Egyptians living abroad and foreigners living in Egypt. It covers military campaigns and trade in periods of strength—including such important events as the Battle of Qadesh under Ramesses II and Hatshepsut’s trading mission to the mysterious land of Punt—and Egypt’s foreign relations during times of political weakness, when foreign dynasties ruled parts of the country. From early interactions with traders on desolate desert tracks, to sunken Mediterranean trading vessels, the Nubian Kingdom of Kerma, Nile fortresses, the Sea Peoples, and Persian satraps, there is always a rich story to tell behind Egypt’s foreign relations. “Garry Shaw’s book is something of a revelation, a different way of looking at what we know about the Ancient Egyptians and their amazing culture.”—Books Monthly “As inherently fascinating a read as it is exceptionally well researched, written, organized and presented.”—Midwest Book Review

Reprint of the original, first published in 1871. The publishing house Anatiposi publishes historical books as reprints. Due to their age, these books may have missing pages or inferior quality. Our aim is to preserve these books and make them available to the public so that they do not get lost.