1-277-471 - Art Media/Heritage Images

The Victory of Rameses II, Karnak, Egypt, 20th Century. Rameses II was an Egyptian pharaoh of the Nineteenth dynasty. His rule, which lasted 66 years from 1279 until 1213 BC, was a period of prolific temple building. This relief, depicting Rameses smiting his enemies, is typical of his use of art as a propaganda tool to emphasise his power.