If passports had a mouth and could talk, they would have a lot of interesting stories to tell. However, the passport is a relatively modern "invention" as it was only in the early days of the 20th century that passports as we know them today began to be used.
In antiquity and Middle Ages for example, our common ancestors didn't need any official documents to travel, and they would usually visit another country massively in order to invade, loot, rape, kill and conquer, among other "nice" little things. If you don't believe me, just watch an episode of Vikings to get a better idea of what I am talking about.
The Menu of the Day
As you understand by now, your favorite historical figures (the ones that lived before the 20th century) weren't as privileged as we are today and didn't own a passport....Mr. Bean - Socrates = 1-0
Or to be more precise, almost all your favorite historical figures. See, King Ramesses II of Egypt, also known as Ramesses the Great, is the only ancient historical figure that owns a passport; a passport that was issued 3,197 years after his death.
For those who don't know who "Ramy" was, keep in mind that he's considered the most powerful, decorated and dominant pharaoh in Egypt's history, staying in power for not one, not two, but 66 whole years — more than any other pharaoh.
Why Did He Need a Passport Anyway?
Most of you probably wonder now why he needed a passport, right? Especially 3,197 years after his death! Doesn't make sense, does it? Well, it does really! See, after his death Ramesses II was mummified according to ancient Egyptian tradition.
Throughout the centuries, however, the mummy of the great king started to deteriorate really bad and in 1974, the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt started to worry that the legendary king may end up looking like this...
So, in order to avoid having Thundercats going after Egypt's legendary hero, they decided to take him to France for repair and preservation. According to French Law though, any citizen who enters the country, DEAD OR ALIVE, must own a passport.
The Aftermath
Having no other choice, Egyptian authorities decided to issue a valid passport for Ramesses II 3,197 years after his death, in order for his mummy to have access to the highly advanced French laboratories for treatment. Interestingly, the occupation section of the passport stated “King (Deceased).”
Soon after the plane landed in Paris, the king's dead body was honored by a military parade and received full military honors, as if he was an alive king visiting France. Therefore, Ramesses the Great became the first ancient person in history to hold a modern official passport!
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In 1974, the legendary pharaoh Ramesses II was issued a valid Egyptian passport