This edition based on the hieroglyphic texts of the Ramesses Age of Ancient Egypt (c.1300-1100 BC) presents a modern English translation of the vast majority of historical sources for this important epoch of Egyptian history. The empire was at its height at the start of the period and was undergoing terminal decline at its end. The richness of the material reflects the cosmopolitan nature of Egyptian society at this time and is a vital source of knowledge for the whole of the East Mediterranean and Ancient Near Eastern worlds.
Virtually the whole of the historically-significant 'official records' from the long reign of the redoubtable pharoah Ramesses II are presented in this volume, in modern English translations, often for the first time, and in full. Thus it includes the notorious Battle of Qadesh, the later wars, the famous peace-treaty and diplomatic marriages with the ruling family of the rival Hittite Empire; the major texts on the king's works within Egypt and Nubia, and inscriptions from a vast swathe of temples, etc., well over a thousand miles along the Nile south into the Sudan. Important documents include the Turin List of Kings, and the inscriptions relating to the eight principal queens and some 100 sons and daughters of Ramesses II.
About the Author
K A Kitchen is currently Brunner Professor of Egyptology in the University of Liverpool, where he has taught for 38 years. During that time, he has worked extensively in Egypt, recording the texts for the hieroglyphic edition of Ramesside Inscriptions, I-VIII (Blackwell, 1969-1990), that is the basis for the Translations and Notes and Comments volumes now being issued. He has also produced a major book on Egyptian chronology for later Egypt (1100-650 BC), a classic popular "Life and Times" of Ramesses II, and a comprehensive Catalogue of the notable Egyptian collection in Rio de Janeiro; other books on archaeology and the Bible; and recently the first of a series on Ancient (pre-Islamic) Arabia, besides innumerable articles and reviews. He has lectured worldwide in these various spheres of enquiry.
