Jessica Tomkins: History vs. Egypt’s "most powerful" pharaoh

History vs. Egypt’s "most powerful" pharaoh

Pharaoh Ramesses II reigned for almost 70 years in the 13th century BCE. He presided over a golden age of Egyptian prosperity, power, and wealth. But was he a model leader or a shameless egomaniac and master of propaganda? Jessica Tomkins puts this controversial figure on trial in History vs. Ramesses the Great. [Directed by Brett Underhill, PorkchopBob Studio, narrated by Addison Anderson, music by Stephen LaRosa].

Ramesses II reigned for nearly seven decades, overseeing a period of extraordinary wealth and monumental construction in ancient Egypt. His image as a heroic leader was shaped as much by propaganda as by military campaigns, including battles he exaggerated or did not actually win. While he signed the world’s first known peace treaty, he also erased rivals’ names and built grand monuments to elevate himself almost to divine status. The legacy of Egypt’s most powerful pharaoh blurs the line between genuine achievement and self-promotion.