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Ramesses the Great

Ramesses the Great

1 8.6
An ancient Egyptian king known for leading armies and building large temples
  • proper noun
: Ramsés el Grande
  • Many historians consider Ramesses the Great one of Egypt's most powerful pharaohs.

Examples

  • Ramesses the Great ruled for over sixty years.

  • The reign of Ramesses the Great was marked by impressive architectural achievements.

  • Historians often refer to Ramesses the Great as Egypt's most powerful pharaoh.

  • Many statues of Ramesses the Great stand tall in Egyptian temples today.

  • Historians often refer to Ramesses the Great as Egypt's most powerful pharaoh.

  • The reign of Ramesses the Great was marked by impressive architectural achievements.

  • Many statues of Ramesses the Great stand tall in Egyptian temples today.

Synonyms

Ramses
vsRamesses the Great
14 8.1

A name used by several ancient Egyptian kings, especially the famous king who ruled around 1300 BC

is the proper historical title for the specific prominent ruler
Rameses
vsRamesses the Great
4 9.9

A name for eleven Egyptian kings who ruled long ago, especially Rameses II

is the unique historical title used for that one prominent ruler
Ramesses
vsRamesses the Great
1 9.9

One of eleven kings of ancient Egypt from long ago, the most famous being Ramesses II

is the specific historical title for the famous single ruler not the family name
Ramses the Great
vsRamesses the Great
1 7.7

A king of ancient Egypt who built many large temples and ruled for a long time

is the formal historical reference emphasizing reign length and projects
Ramses II
vsRamesses the Great
1 8.1

King of ancient Egypt who ruled around 1300 BC, led many wars, and built many large temples

is the broader dynastic label used in historical accounts of that ruler
Ramesses II
vsRamesses the Great
1 9.2

An Egyptian pharaoh from about 1200 BC who built many monuments and led many wars

offers the canonical reign and fame focus used in academic references
Rameses the Great
vsRamesses the Great
1 8.9

An Egyptian king who ruled long ago, fought wars and built many temples

is the standard historical title noting his reign and famous leadership
Rameses II
vsRamesses the Great
1 8.1

A famous ancient Egyptian king known for building large temples and winning wars

gives the same historical role but uses slightly different dating in sources

Surface Forms

Morphology

Ramesses + the + great

The phrase is compositional: 'Ramesses' names an Egyptian king and 'the Great' is an epithet meaning notably important, so a learner who knows both words can infer this refers to a particularly famous/prominent Ramesses. Detailed historical specifics (dates, achievements) are not derivable from the phrase, but the general sense of a distinguished ruler is transparent and is signalled similarly across languages.

Etymology

Ramesses the Great was called this because the Egyptian king Ramesses built huge temples and won many battles. Calling him 'the Great' showed he was very powerful and famous, and that is why we still use this name today.