Ramses II was a warrior king who is credited with bringing Egypt unprecedented power and splendor during his 67-year reign. He was known also as the great builder, the founder of the temple of Abu Simbel and the Pharaoh to whom Moses sang "Let my people go." Over 3,200 years ago a 125 ton granite statue of Ramses II was built in his honor and placed at the temple at the site of the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis.
That was until the early 1950's when someone found it fitting to take Ramses II from his temple and instead have him stand watch over traffic from a congested square in downtown Cairo. Years of exhaust fumes from trains, cars and buses along with vibrations have taken their toll on the health of Ramses II. He's had enough of the city and now wants to hang out and become a part of a new museum (not expected to open for at least five years) about a mile from the Pyramids at Giza.
"We have to move that statue," said antiquities chief Zahi Haul'ass. (or is is Hawass?) Either way you pronounce it, he is planning to haul the 125-plus-ton Ramses II to a new home this August 25th.
I wonder if the History Channel's series "Mega Movers" will provide coverage of Ramses journey?
Haha! Really though, after watching "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns" I get to wondering whenever they move any Egyptian artifacts around if there is a curse involved or something.
I wonder if they did that because Rama-sees your traffic offences? :)