Why did Ramses II build the Ramesseum?
Ramses II built the Ramesseum to serve as his funerary temple, a shrine dedicated to the funerary cult of the deceased king and the god Amon.12
Located on the west bank of the Nile River at Thebes, the temple complex was designed to honor the pharaoh and facilitate his divine afterlife. The structure was modeled after the design of the funerary temple of Amenhotep III, and it included a royal palace within its large enclosure.123
Beyond its religious function, the Ramesseum served as a monument to the king's legacy. Its walls were decorated with reliefs depicting his military achievements, such as the Battle of Kadesh and various Syrian wars, reflecting the pharaoh's flair for publicity and his desire to be remembered for his prowess in war and his role as a powerful monarch.142