This colossal bust of Ramesses II is one of the largest sculptures in the British Museum, but it is only the top part of a much bigger seated statue of the king. The bottom part is still in the Ramesseum, Ramesses’ memorial temple on the west bank of the Nile at Thebes (modern Luxor). It offers the opportunity to study several different aspects of kingship in ancient Egypt, including the connection between the pharaoh and the gods.