Conference “Perspectives on the Ramesside Military System”

22/08/2026

: Dr Mohamed Raafat Abbas, author of "War in the Age of Ramesses", was interviewed by Rekh Magazine to discuss Ramesside warfare beyond royal propaganda.

Read more here 💻️: https://pfisogni.wixsite.com/rekh-magazine/post/discovering-ramses-ii-as-a-chief-and-commander

14/08/2026

Discovering Ramesses II as a Chief and Commander 📖📖
A recent interview of Dr. Mohamed Raafat Abbas with Dr. Primavera Fisogni for Rekh Magazine, exploring the military career of Ramesses II beyond the traditional image of the heroic warrior pharaoh.
The interview discusses Ramesside warfare beyond royal propaganda, with particular focus on the Battle of Kadesh, military strategy, logistics, imperial infrastructure, frontier management, archaeology, and diplomacy.
The conversation also offers a preview of the forthcoming book, War in the Age of Ramesses: Campaigns, Strategy, and Empire in Late Bronze Age Egypt, forthcoming from Oxbow Books in January 2027.
The full interview is available online and free to download.

Interviewed by Primavera Fisogni, Dr Mohamed Raafat Abbas—Egyptologist and scholar, author of the forthcoming book War in the Age of Ramesses: Campaigns, Strategy, and Empire in Late Bronze Age Egypt (Oxbow Books, January 2027)—reassesses Ramesside warfare beyond royal propaganda. Download the a...

06/08/2026

A major new contribution to the study of ancient Egyptian military history is forthcoming from Oxbow Books.
War in the Age of Ramesses: Campaigns, Strategy, and Empire in Late Bronze Age Egypt, by Dr , will be published in January 2027. 📖📖

In War in the Age of Ramesses, Mohamed Raafat Abbas offers a comprehensive and analytically rigorous study of Egypt’s military history during this decisive era. Combining chronological narrative with thematic analysis, the book reconstructs major campaigns, examines the organisation and logistics of the Egyptian army, and reassesses the strategic innovations that sustained imperial expansion. From Sety I’s victorious campaigns to Ramesses II’s legendary battles, Merenptah’s defensive strategies, and Ramesses III’s confrontations with the Sea Peoples and Libyans, the study brings into focus the operational realities of Ramesside warfare.

Drawing on archaeological data, textual records, and iconographic evidence, this volume situates military action within its broader political, economic, and cultural contexts. Detailed maps, figures, and diagrams allow readers to visualise troop movements, battle strategies, and the wider geography of conflict.

Bridging military history and imperial studies, War in the Age of Ramesses will be indispensable to Egyptologists and scholars of the ancient Near East, while also appealing to military historians and researchers interested in the comparative study of early empires and the evolution of warfare in the ancient world.

📚Learn more and pre-order the book:
https://www.oxbowbooks.com/9798888573174/war-in-the-age-of-ramesses/

25/07/2026

In Memoriam
Dr. Mohamed Abdelmaksoud

It is with profound sadness that we learned of the passing of Dr. Mohamed Abdelmaksoud, former Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities and one of Egypt's most distinguished archaeologists.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Abdelmaksoud made exceptional contributions to the exploration, documentation, and preservation of Egypt's archaeological heritage, particularly in Sinai, where his pioneering research and fieldwork established new standards for archaeological investigation and heritage protection.

As a scholar, administrator, and mentor, he devoted decades of dedicated service to Egyptian archaeology. His expertise, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the preservation of the past earned him the respect and admiration of colleagues and institutions both in Egypt and internationally.

His passing represents a profound loss to the international archaeological and Egyptological communities. His scholarly legacy and lasting contributions to the study and protection of Egypt's cultural heritage will continue to inspire future generations.

We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and all those who had the privilege of working with him.

May he rest in peace.

23/07/2026

Congratulations to Professor Anthony Spalinger, on the publication of his new book, Kadesh 1286 BC: Egypt Attempts to Take Syria. Wishing him every success with this outstanding new contribution to the study of ancient Egyptian military history 📖📖
Description
An illustrated look at Ancient Egypt and one of the earliest recorded battles that put a stop to Ramesses II's drive into Syria.
In c. 1286 BC, Ramesses II was pharaoh and commander of the Egyptian army. He led an expedition northwards from the eastern delta, through Palestine, and aimed for the city of Kadesh, which was currently in the hands of the Hittites. What Ramesses did not expect was that the Hittites' leader, King Muwatallis, was in the city, which made his plans much harder.
Meeting in battle at the Orontes River in southern Syria, it was the largest clash of chariots ever seen. The Hittites proved to be formidable opponents, managing to slice through the second division of the Egyptian army with a targeted chariot attack. In the end, the Hittites were forced to retreat but the Egyptians also failed to capture Kadesh and had to withdraw out of Syria.
In this detailed volume, Egyptologist Anthony Spalinger explores the history of the Egyptians and Hittites, looking at how they fought and how Kadesh came to be considered one of the most decisive battles of the ancient world. With stunning artwork, maps, diagrams and images of carvings from multiple temples, Ancient Egypt is brought to life, showcasing one of the earliest recorded set-piece battles.

22/07/2026

The Ramesside Period (Dynasties XIX–XX, 1295–1069 BC) represented one of the most powerful phases of ancient Egypt’s imperial expansion. From Nubia to Canaan and southern Syria, Egypt projected its authority through sustained military campaigns led by warrior-pharaohs such as Sety I, Ramesses II, Merenptah, and Ramesses III. Their conflicts with the Hittites, Libyans, and the Sea Peoples not only defined Egypt’s political trajectory but also reshaped the geopolitical landscape of the Late Bronze Age Near East.

14/06/2026

Ramesses II campaigning against Kush (Upper Nubia), the Great Temple of Abu Simbel ✍️✍️

30/04/2026

The Meshwesh chief, Meshesher son of Kaper, in the hands of the Egyptian officers as a captive after the Second Libyan War of Ramesses III (c. 1174 BC), the Temple of Medinet Habu, Thebes!

12/04/2026

Perspectives on the Ramesside Military System.
Proceedings of the International Conference Held at the Institute for Egyptology and Coptology of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, 10–11 December, 2021 📖 📖
Edited by and ✍✍
121 (2023)

29/03/2026

I extended all the boundaries of Egypt; I overthrew those who invaded them from their lands. I slew the Denyen in their isles, the Tjeker and the Peleset were made ashes. The Sherden and the Weshesh of the sea, they were made as those that exist not, taken captive at one time, brought as captives to Egypt, like the sand of the shore.
—Ramesses III (Papyrus Harris I)