Based on the architectural works and documents of the ancient Egyptians, archaeologists have led to decode. As a result, they knew a bit more about the biggest wedding of the Pharaoh’s time.
The “wedding of the century” in ancient Egypt took place between King Ramses II and the neighboring Hittite princess – a country that was once very powerful, spanning parts of Turkey, Syria and present-day Israel. ‘hui.
Married side: King Ramses II, one of the greatest pharaohs in history
King Ramses II ruled Egypt for over 65 years, witnessing a period of great military and cultural development. He is also known as the Great Ramses.
His youth was associated with a long war between the Egyptians and the Hittites. In 1275 BC, King Ramses entered the historic Battle of Kadesh. Several times he had to retreat, his life threatened. But in the end, the victory was still in favor of Ramses and the Egyptians.
Around 1264 BC, 11 years later, King Ramses began building the Abu Sumbel Funeral Home in Lower Nubia to commemorate the Battle of Kadesh. Outside he erected statues of … himself, up to 18m tall and still imposing today.
In 1258 BC, King Ramses and King Hattusillis III signed a peace treaty, ending tensions between the two countries Egypt – Hittite. But also from this, Hittite in Egypt must always be careful, respectful.
Until 1249 BC, King Ramses II reigned for 30 years. To mark this important event, Ramses II proposed marriage to the daughter of the King of Hittite. Of course, this is a marriage for the sake of friendship between the two countries.
Family of daughters: Queen Puduhepa calls her future son-in-law “little brother” and worries about everything
Upon hearing the news that her daughter was going to be married in Egypt, the princess’ mother, Queen Puduhepa, couldn’t help but feel compassion and concern. The queen’s hesitation made Pharaoh Ramses impatient, sending the angel to urge him.
In response, Queen Puduhepa called Pharaoh Ramses a “younger brother,” citing a delay because the palace storage room had been set on fire and the dowry was a burden on the bride.
She also thought King Ramses was asking too much. “Brother, don’t you have too much wealth? You want to enrich yourself with our homage? It’s not fair for a great king,” she said.
However, the queen also gave the princess a precious dowry. “The dowry will be even more beautiful than the princess of Babylon. I will send your daughter away this year, bring gold and silver, servants, cattle, sheep and horses with you,” wrote the queen in the letter.
In return, Queen Puduhepa made a request: the Princess of Hittite was to be the first wife of King Ramses. This is something that rarely happens to people of non-Egyptian descent in Pharaoh’s harem. But with the firmness of the Hittite side, King Ramses broke his rules and his promises.
In the end, all the arrangements were considered to be over, the King and Queen of Hittite said goodbye to his daughter, married her in distant Egypt, and never met again.
The strawberry procession stretches 2,000 kilometers on horseback through hot North Africa
On this trip, the accompaniment of the “bride” is a large number of people, horses, polite but there is no “groom” or relatives.
Queen Puduhepa brought the princess halfway to the Kadesh milestone with the disastrous Hittite defeat every year, to say goodbye to her and watch her daughter cross the pharaohs border forever.
In addition, this long journey is no less dangerous when it is necessary to cross many lands of vassal countries. Robbery is very likely.
Finally, the princess reached the capital of King Ramses. Here she received the new name Maathorneferure. The wedding was celebrated in style, marking a new life for Queen Maathorneferure in the strange culture and customs of Egypt that she had never known before.
Queen Pi-Ramses is believed to be unable to have a son. She later died alone at the Gurob Palace, not in the capital, which means that she lost her status as first wife.
Later, another Hittite princess had to marry in Egypt, in an attempt to reconnect the broken thread in the relationship between two extremely powerful forces of ancient times.
