Pi-Ramesses (also known as Per-Ramesses, Piramese, Pr-Rameses, Pir-Ramaseu) was the city built as the new capital in the Delta region of ancient Egypt by Ramesses II (known as The Great, 1279-1213 BCE). It was located at the site of the modern town of Qantir in the Eastern Delta and, in its time, was considered the greatest city in Egypt, rivaling even Thebes to the south. The name means 'House of Ramesses' (also given as 'City of Ramesses') and was constructed close by the older city of Avaris.
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Definition
Timeline
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1279 BCE - 1213 BCEPer-Ramesses is built during the reign of Ramesses II of Egypt.
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1275 BCEPer-Ramesses is functioning as a military-industrial center for launching campaigns from Lower Egypt.
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1274 BCERamesses II launches his campaign against the Hittites at Kadesh from Per-Ramesses.
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c. 1069 BCEPer-Ramesses in decline as its harbors silt up and the New Kingdom of Egypt falls.
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c. 1060 BCEPer-Ramesses largely dismantled and moved to the site of the new city of Tanis to the south.
