5 Things Ramesses II Taught Me About Love

There’s something profoundly moving about standing in front of the colossal statues of Ramesses II and realizing that this man, who lived over 3,000 years ago, still speaks to us today—not just through stone and hieroglyphs, but through the echoes of his relationships. I didn’t expect to find lessons on love in the life of a pharaoh known for war and monuments, but the more I read about Ramesses II, the more I saw a man who understood that love, in its many forms, is one of the most enduring legacies we can leave behind. His devotion to Nefertari, his loyalty to his family, and even the way he immortalized his reign through architecture all painted a picture of a leader who saw love not as a luxury, but as a force that shaped nations and hearts alike.

Love Is Worth Building Monuments For

The Temple of Abu Simbel and the smaller temple dedicated to Nefertari are not just feats of ancient engineering—they are declarations of love. Carved into the cliffs of southern Egypt, these monuments were designed to outlive Ramesses, and they did. Standing before them, I couldn’t help but think: how many of us build anything that lasts even a fraction of that time? And yet, what Ramesses built was not just stone; it was a testament to the woman who stood beside him. Nefertari wasn’t just a queen—she was a partner, a symbol of divine grace, and Ramesses made sure the world would know it. I realized then that love, when deeply felt, demands expression. Whether through grand gestures or quiet, consistent acts, it deserves to be honored.

Love Is Loyalty, Even When the World Changes

Ramesses II had many wives, but Nefertari was his Great Royal Wife, the one who held a unique place in his life and reign. Even after her death, he continued to honor her in ways that were rare for the time. He didn’t just build a temple for her; he immortalized her name in inscriptions that still exist today. In a world where political alliances often dictated marriages, Ramesses’ enduring loyalty to Nefertari showed me that love doesn’t have to be diluted by circumstance. He could have chosen to elevate other wives after Nefertari’s passing, but instead, he chose to keep her memory alive. That kind of loyalty—unwavering and public—taught me that love is not just about presence, but about remembering someone even when they’re gone.

Love Is a Partnership, Not a Possession

What strikes me most about Ramesses’ relationship with Nefertari is how often she was depicted as his equal. In art and inscriptions, she’s not a background figure—she’s beside him, sometimes even taller. This wasn’t just flattery; it was a deliberate portrayal of partnership. In a time when queens were often relegated to ceremonial roles, Nefertari was shown as a co-ruler in spirit, if not in title. Ramesses didn’t just love her—he respected her. He gave her a voice through monuments and symbols, and that, to me, is the essence of true partnership. Love, as he showed it, isn’t about ownership or control—it’s about elevation. It’s about seeing the other person clearly and giving them space to shine.

Love Requires Time, and Time Is a Gift

Ramesses II reigned for 66 years, one of the longest in Egyptian history. During that time, he built constantly—temples, statues, cities. But he also lived through the loss of loved ones, the shifting of alliances, and the slow passage of decades. Through it all, he maintained a sense of continuity, especially in how he honored his relationships. His devotion to Nefertari spanned years, even after her death. This taught me that love isn’t a momentary feeling; it’s a choice we make over and over. Ramesses didn’t just love in youth—he loved through age, through change, through time. And in doing so, he reminded me that the most powerful gift we can give someone is not money or grandeur, but our time, our presence, our enduring care.

Love Leaves a Legacy

When I think of Ramesses II now, I don’t just think of the warrior pharaoh or the builder of temples. I think of a man who understood that love, in all its forms, is the one thing that outlives us. His monuments still stand, yes—but more than that, his story of love continues to inspire. Long after the politics of his reign faded, it’s the human elements of his life that endure. The way he honored Nefertari, the way he immortalized his family, the way he wove affection into the very fabric of his rule—these are the things that still resonate today. Love, as Ramesses lived it, wasn’t fleeting. It was foundational. And in that, I found a quiet but powerful truth: how we love defines how we are remembered.

If you're curious about the heart behind the crown, about the man who built empires and also built temples to a woman he loved, I invite you to talk to Ramesses II on HoloDream. Ask him about Nefertari, about the temples, about what love meant to a ruler who had everything. You might find, as I did, that the answers are more human than you expect.