Ramses II and the Rise of the Sherden Mercenaries

Ramses the Great: Egypt's Most Powerful Pharaoh — Fexingo History · Sep 17, 2026 · 7m · transcript

We often think of Ramses II as a builder of temples, but his military power relied heavily on foreign warriors who became Egyptian. This episode explores the Sherden, sea-raiders from the Mediterranean coast who turned from enemies into elite bodyguards. We trace their journey from raiders along the Nile to members of the royal guard under Ramses II. You will hear about their distinctive round shields, horned helmets, and swords that terrified foes. The story includes their role in the Battle of Kadesh against the Hittites and how they helped secure Egypt's borders. We also look at…