=Compare and Contrast Essay: Famous Pharaohs=

King Ramses II and King Khafre had many things in common and uncommon. Ramses II was a famous person, known for uniting Upper and Lower Egypt, while Khafre is remembered for making the Second Pyramid at Giza and The Great Sphinx that guards it. Both of the pharaohs had many similarities and differences economically (architecture), politically (exploiting and conquering territories), and socially. To conclude, both kings had quite a lot of things alike and different.

Ramses II and Khafre are similar and different economically. Ramses II and Khafre, both were very fond of architecture. These two geniuses have left us many ancient monuments such as the Abu Simbel, The Great Sphinx, and The Second Pyramid at Giza. Also life sized statues of Ramses II and Khafre have been found in their tombs. However, most of Ramses II art have been lost and stolen while Khafre is found with all is belongings. To conclude, King Ramses II and King Khafre have a lot of similarities in architecture with a bit of crumbs missing.

Ramses II and Khafre are very different in terms of politics. Ramses II was a prolific ruler that fought to claim territory in Africa and Western Asia. He had fought for years and expanded Egypt’s empire by expansion and construction of structures. King Ramses II was the most powerful pharaoh of Egypt. On the other hand, Khafre was a cool and relaxed person who first gained peoples trust and then conquered the region easily. King Khafre had participated in many foreign trades and his reign has been found in present-day Syria. To conclude, both pharaohs have very different political statistics.

Ramses II and Khafre have quite different backgrounds socially. Ramses II to be born to Queen Tuy and his father Sety I. He was given his throne in the early age of 20 and he ruled for 67 years. Ramses II had a harem of wives, his special wife was Nefertari and he had over one hundred kids with all his wives. When Ramses II died, his tomb was located in the Valley of Kings. King Khafre, on the other side, was born many years after King Ramses II. King Khafre was the son of King Khufu and Meritates. Khafre also had many wives but his favorite one was Nefertkau from which he got three sons and one daughter. He had other kids which are unknown. Khafre died in 2480 B.C and his tomb was located in the second pyramid. To conclude, both pharaohs have a lot of differences socially.

In conclusion, King Ramses II and King Khafre had many things in common and uncommon. Both of the pharaohs had many similarities and differences economically, politically and socially. Both of these pharaohs were the ladder to Egypt’s development. Ramses II and Khafre were very different from each other and they did extraordinary things that shaped the land of Egypt.

Book References

Clayton, Peter A. (1994). Chronicle of the Pharaohs (The Reign-By-Reign Record of the Rulers and Dynasties of Ancient Egypt). New York: Thames Hudson Limited.

Dodson, Adian. (1995). Monarchs of the Nile. Alberta: Rubicon Press

Grimal, Nicolas. (1988). A History of Ancient Egypt. London: Blackwell

Shaw, Ian. (2000). The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt. Oxford: Oxford University Press

Wilkinson, Richard H. (1966). Complete Valley of the Kings, The (Tombs and Treasures of Egypt's Greatest Pharaohs). New York: Thames Hudson Limited

Online References

Dunn, Jimmy. (2010). Khafre, The 4^th King of the 4^th Dynasty. Retrieved September 15, 2010 From http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/khafre.htm

Anonymous. (2008). King Ramses II. Retrieved September 15, 2010 from http://www.ancient-egypt-online.com/ramses-II.html

Anonymous. (2005). Ramses II. Retrieved September 15, 2010 from http://www.kingtutone.com/Pharaohs/ramses2/