In 1817, the poet wrote his famous sonnet, "Ozymandias," as part of a friendly competition. The poem tells a story within a story:
: On the pedestal of this broken statue, an inscription remains: "My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!" . tenoke-ozymandias.complete.edition.iso
The name is the Greek name for the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II . During his 66-year reign (1279–1213 BC), he built massive monuments like the Ramesseum and Abu Simbel to ensure his legacy would be eternal. He was a "King of Kings" who believed his empire and his works would command awe for all time. The Poem of Transience In 1817, the poet wrote his famous sonnet,