Experts suggest that ancient propaganda supporting Egyptian pharaohs, possibly linked to the central figure of the Old Testament, has surfaced in Paris.
Jean Guillam Orette-Pelletier, an Egyptian scholar affiliated with the University of Sorbonne and the Institute Catholique de Paris, recently discussed his upcoming findings with Fox News Digital.
His research revealed that propaganda favoring Ramses II was found near the Dela Concorde obelisk in Paris, which dates back around 3,300 years. Olette-Pelletier had the opportunity to investigate the obelisk in 2021, gaining access to the scaffolding for his studies.
Ramses II reigned from 1303 BC to 1213 BC and is often regarded as one of the most significant rulers of ancient Egypt’s New Kingdom.
He is frequently identified as the pharaoh mentioned in the Book of Exodus—although the Old Testament doesn’t provide a clear name. This pharaoh famously opposed Moses, refusing his requests and bringing upon Egypt a series of plagues.
Olette-Pelletier referred to the hieroglyphics he studied as “propaganda.”
He has identified seven inscriptions that assert Ramses II’s authority dating back to 1280 BC.
“It was a message from Ramses II directed towards the nobles,” he noted, explaining that the elite could read the coded messages.
Interestingly, Olette-Pelletier mentioned that Ramses II was born before his father, Seti III, which might have raised questions about his legitimacy. “A nobleman who can decipher the code could be tempted by the power play since Ramses II was not born a god,” he remarked.
Experts noted that during the early years of Ramses II’s reign, he emphasized his divine status alongside his wife Nefertari, venerating the great god of Egypt and engaging a priest.
He changed his name from Usermaatra to Usermaatra Setepenra, which translates to “R.A. has been chosen.”
The obelisk has four sides, and the one facing the Seine, intended to align with the Nile, depicts Ramses II adorned with the dual crown of Upper and Lower Egypt.
Through encoded messages, Ramses II asserted his divine wisdom.
“The obelisk also contains concealed texts that affirm his legitimacy as the King of God,” Olette-Pelletier said.
He emphasized that these inscriptions act as propaganda, claiming Ramses II as “the provider of the Nile Flood and, by extension, the wealth of the nation.”
This discovery is part of a broader set of findings related to Ramses II from the past year. Last September, an ancient sword from Ramses’s army was unearthed in Haush Essa, a city governed by Beira in Egypt. Additionally, in January, officials announced plans to restore Ramses II’s temple in Luxor, Egypt.
