2007-08-21, Engineering Egypt 构建埃及

（单词翻译）

This is not the Egypt of Khufu's day. The Pharaoh is no longer beyond criticism, and Ramesses' failure to take Kadesh could dangerously undermine his position. Ramesses hatches a face-saving plan well-suited to this more critical era. He reaches for another weapon, one even more effective than chariots and the bronze swords, propaganda.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Ramesses to broadcast something to his audience that will make him the king that he will someday become.”

Ramesses' commissions are a series of stone reliefs to commemorate¹ the battle of Kadesh on temple walls that link to the breath of the kingdom.

“I think part of this, this, this, the heavy spin put onto the, onto the whole Kadesh campaign, clearly, it's to make sure that his image remains² what he wants it to be, that of the all-powerful, all-conquering Pharaoh.”

“Well, when he set up his record of the battle of Kadesh, Ramesses proves that he is the greatest spin doctor of the ancient world.”

The carvings³ tell the story not of an inconclusive truth, but a clear-cut victory. Ramesses is portrayed⁴ as the hero of the hour, who, separated from his troops, stands alone against the Hittite ambush⁵.

“He claims he wapped them good, but he didn't.”

“He's not going to show what really happened; he's going to show what he wants to have happened, so the image that he has depicted⁶ there is one that shows him routing the Hittites, pretty much single-handedly, leading the way, sending them fleeing, trampling⁷ them under his horses and chariots, and really creating a sense of Egypt, and Ramesses himself as the personification of Egypt is the ultimate.”

It's a political masterstroke. Ramesses has rewritten history, and set his version of events in stone for all time. But the young king's life-long talent for self-promotion has only just begun.