Ramesses II Slaying Enemies, Abu Simbel Tomb Relief

What it is

This is a modern photograph, taken in 2023, of an ancient carved and painted sandstone relief inside a tomb at Abu Simbel. The relief shows a pharaoh grasping an enemy by the hair while trampling another figure beneath him, with a chariot wheel and rows of hieroglyphs in the background. The relief itself dates to the reign of Ramesses II.

Why it matters

The scene depicts the Battle of Kadesh, fought between Ramesses II's Egyptian forces and the Hittite king Muwatalli II in the 13th century BC. Egyptian rulers often had themselves shown triumphing over enemies in temple and tomb art, using these images to broadcast their power and divine right to rule.

Look closer

• What does the pose of the pharaoh tell you about how he wanted to be remembered?
• Why might a ruler choose to show himself defeating enemies rather than showing the full battle?
• What does this image leave out about the actual outcome of the battle?