This course will focus on the military glories – real or purported – in the reign of Ramesses II, arguably the most famous of the Egyptian pharaohs. Ramesses’ lengthy reign was marked by an ongoing conflict with the growing power of the Hittite Empire, but he also saw fighting in Libya, Nubia, and more besides. We will look at the battles he fought and the narratives he wove around them, exploring the ambitious foreign policy that ushered in a new golden age for Egypt and trying to discern truth from fiction in the tales Ramesses told about Qadesh and other famous battles.

5 weeks – £120
Starting 15th January