Pharaoh of Egypt (ruled c.1304–1237 bc). When Ramesses II acceded to the throne Egypt was at war with the Hittites. In the fifth year of his reign Ramesses II fought the Hittites at Kadesh where he managed to extricate himself from a perilous situation. In the 21st year of his reign the two powers concluded a peace treaty and Ramesses married a Hittite princess. He also undertook campaigns against the Libyans. His reign, which marked a high point in ancient Egyptian history, was one of considerable prosperity and he oversaw a substantial building programme, which included two temples cut out of the cliffs at Abu Simbel, the completion of his father Seti I’s hypostyle hall at Karnak, and temple at Abydos.