The Reign of Ramesses III – under the Influence of Personal Religion

Abstract

The phenomenon of “Personal Religion” influenced Egyptian culture for a long time and left behind an impressive heritage of literature, which shows the development of a historical-social change. The reign of Ramesses III is marked by these special religious-cultural changes and influenced the royal self-presentation of the Egyptian pharaoh and his contact with the divine world. The royal image of Ramesses III demonstrates new aspects in the relation between the king and the deities, which emphasized the effect of a special religious conception. It changed the internal structures of the Egyptian empire under the influence of “Personal Religion” and served as a special of royal legitimation.