338 Ramesses VIIIshape of a cartouche but was smashed by robbers. His
body was never found, but his tomb had an entrance pas-
sageway and a painted burial chamber. A rock hollow was
part of the design, covered by a stone block and decorated.
Ramesses VIII (Userma’atre’ankhenamun)(d. 1131
B.C.E.)Seventh ruler of the Twentieth Dynasty
He reigned from 1136 B.C.E. until his death. He was a son
of RAMESSES IIIand probably Queen ISET. The last surviv-
ing son of Ramesses III, he was pictured in MEDINET HABU
as Prince Sethirkhopshef. When he died, Ramesses VIII
was buried secretly in Thebes, where his empty SARCOPHA-
GUSwas found. Little is known of his reign.
Ramesses IX (Neferkare’setenré) (d. 1112 B.C.E.)
Eighth ruler of the Twentieth Dynasty
He reigned from 1131 B.C.E. until his death. Ramesses IX
was a grandson of RAMESSES III, the son of Prince Mon-
tuhirkhopshef and Princess Takhat. Coming to the throne
after his uncle, he provided Egypt with a brief but stable
period. His wife was probably Queen BAKETWEREL, and
RAMESSES Xwas probably his son. The tomb robberies and
the subsequent trials took place in his reign. Another son,
Nebma’atré, became the high priest of HELIOPOLIS. He
also had a son named Montuhirkhopshef.
Two documents concerning trade and economics
depict Ramesses IX’s reign. The true power of Egypt was
already in the hands of the priests of AMUN, and inflation
and other problems were causing unrest in the Nile Val-
ley. Ramesses IX, who was the last pharaoh of Egypt to
rule over NUBIA(modern Sudan) was buried in the VALLEY
OF THE KINGSon the western shore of Thebes. His tomb
was designed with three decorated corridors and three
square-shaped halls, including one for offerings and con-
taining four squared pillars. The burial chamber was dec-
orated with scenes from the Book of the Cavernsand
depicted the goddess NUT, surrounded by solar barks and
stars. Ramesses IX’s mummified remains were discovered
in the cache of DEIR EL-BAHRIin a coffin belonging to
Princess NESKHONSU, the wife of PINUDJEM II.
Ramesses X (Khenerma’atre’setepenré)(d. 1000 B.C.E.)
Ninth ruler of the Twentieth Dynasty
He reigned from 1112 B.C.E. until his death. He was prob-
ably the son of RAMESSES IXand Queen BAKETWEREL.He
married Queen TIYE(3) and his son was RAMESSES XI. Lit-
tle is known of his reign, but the Libyans had invaded
Thebes and the workers in the area were not receiving
their normal rations. His tomb in the VALLEY OF THE
KINGSat Thebes has been identified but not explored. No
mummy has ever been found.
Ramesses XI (Menma’atre’setepenptah)(d. 1070
B.C.E.)Last ruler of the Twentieth Dynasty and the New
Kingdom
He reigned from 1100 B.C.E. until his death. Ramesses XI
was the son of RAMESSES Xand Queen TIYE, and married
Queen TANUTAMUN. They had two daughters, HENUTTAWY
and another Tanutamun. He also had a second consort,
possibly Baketwerel.
The state of Egypt was perilous at the time, as the Tale
of WENAMUN,a literary work of the reign, indicates. Thebes
was in a state of constant revolt, and Ramesses XI was a
recluse. Local Thebans used MEDINET HABU, Ramesses III’s
temple, as a fortress because of the riots and unrest. Hun-
dreds died in the Theban revolt. The viceroy of Nubia,
PANHESI, took control of the city but was ousted by HERI-
HOR, who became the high priest of Amun and comman-
der of Upper Egypt. He died before Ramesses XI, who
built a tomb in the VALLEY OF THE KINGSat Thebes but did
not use it. This tomb was unfinished, but elaborate, with
pillared halls, a shaft, and a burial chamber. The mummy
of Ramesses XI has never been found.Ramessesnakht(fl. 12th century B.C.E.) Priestly official
of the Twentieth Dynasty
He served RAMESSES IV(r. 1163–1156 B.C.E.) as the high
priest of AMUNin THEBES. He may have held this office in
earlier reigns as well. Ramessesnakht led an expedi-
tionary force of 8,000 Egyptians to the QUARRIESof WADI
HAMMAMAT. He brought back stone materials for
Ramesses IV’s building programs. He also assumed many
high ranks and put his sons, Nesamon and Amenhotep,
in high offices. He was related to the mayor of Thebes.
Ramessesnakht’s usurpation of power aided the decline of
the New Kingdom.Ramesses-Nebweben(fl. 13th century B.C.E.)Prince of
the Nineteenth Dynasty
He was a son of RAMESSES II(r. 1290–1224 B.C.E.).
Ramesses-Nebweben was buried in the FAIYUM, near the
retirement center of the HAREM at MI-WER. He was a
hunchback and spent most of his life at the harem retreat,
dying at a young age.Ramesseum This was the temple built by RAMESSES II
(r. 1290–1224 B.C.E.) at THEBES. Called “the Temple of the
Million Years,” the structure was part of Ramesses II’s
mortuary cult. The temple was dedicated to the deified
Ramesses II and to the god AMUN, called “the United
With Eternity.” The site was named the Memnomium, or
the Tomb of Ozymandias, by the Greeks.
The structure was surrounded by a brick wall and
superimposed on a temple constructed originally by SETI
I. Pylons depicted Ramesses II’s Battle of KADESHand his
Syrian victories. The Ramesseum had a HYPOSTYLE HALL,
courts, and a throne room. A colossal statue of Ramesses
II, more than 55 feet tall, was discovered in the first
court. An astronomical chamber was also found on the
site, composing a second hypostyle hall.