What is the colossal seated sculpture of Ramses II at the Egyptian Museum in Memphis commonly called?
Answer
Colossus of Ramses II
Answer
Colossus of Ramses II
The colossal seated sculpture of Ramses II at the Egyptian Museum in Memphis is commonly called the Colossus of Ramses II.
The monumental statue depicts Ramesses II, the 19th-Dynasty pharaoh who ruled Egypt from about 1279 to 1213 BCE. It was carved from limestone and originally stood in the temple complex at Mit Rahina, the site of ancient Memphis. The surviving figure is more than 10 metres long, although its lower legs and feet are missing.
The statue was discovered in 1820 by the Italian explorer Giovanni Caviglia. Because it could not be moved safely for many years, it remained at the open-air museum in Mit Rahina. A purpose-built museum was later constructed around it, allowing visitors to view the enormous figure indoors.
The sculpture is sometimes confused with the Colossi of Memnon, two seated statues at Thebes depicting Amenhotep III. It is also distinct from the many standing images of Ramesses II found across Egypt. Royal colossal statues were designed to project permanence, divine association and political authority rather than to serve as ordinary portraits.
Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026