Ramose 339In the southeast, a temple dedicated to Seti I and
Queen TUYA, the royal parents of Ramesses II, was
erected, and an avenue of sphinxes surrounded various
buildings. There were also chambers that served as sanc-
tuaries for the assorted solar barks. A royal residence was
part of the design. The Twenty-second (945–712 B.C.E.)
and Twenty-third (828–712 B.C.E.) Dynasties used the
storage areas of the Ramesseum as a burial site. A
papyrus discovered on the site contained a version of
“the Tale of the ELOQUENT PEASANT,” and medical texts
concerning the treatment of stiffening limbs were also
found.
In the reign of Ramesses IX (1131–1112 B.C.E.),
priests serving the Ramesseum were caught removing
golden objects from this shrine. An accomplice, a gar-
dener named Kar, confessed how quantities of golden
decorations were taken. He also named his confederates,
many of whom were in the priesthood. They were
severely punished, as their crimes included not only theft
but sacrilege in desecrating a religious site.
Ramesseum Papyri A series of documents discovered
in the great temple built by RAMESSES II(r. 1290–1224
B.C.E.) at Thebes, the first was discovered during an expe-
dition to the site during 1895–1896 and is now in the
Berlin Museum. “The Tale of the ELOQUENT PEASANT” was
contained in this papyrus. The Ramesseum Papyrus IV
dates to 1900 B.C.E. and contained magico-medical mate-
rial. The text called Papyrus V is purely medical, con-
cerned with “stiffening of the limbs,” the condition of
arthritis. Another text describes various illnesses being
treated in Kahun.Ram of Mendes He was a divine being in Egypt, BA’EB
DJET, called “the Ram of Tjet” or “the Soul Lord of Tjet.”
This cult was founded in the Second Dynasty (2770–2649
B.C.E.) and prospered in BUBASTIS. The word BAwas trans-
lated in this cult as “soul” or “ram.” In time the Ram of
Mendes was believed to embody the souls of the deities
RÉ, SHU, GEB, and OSIRIS. The Ram’s consort was HAT-
MEHIT, a dolphin goddess. PTOLEMY II PHILADELPHUS(r.
285–246 B.C.E.) aided the cult of the Ram of Mendes.Ramose (1)(fl. 14th century B.C.E.)Vizier of the Eigh-
teenth Dynasty
He served in this high office for AMENHOTEP III (r.
1391–1353 B.C.E.) and AKHENATEN(r. 1353–1335 B.C.E.).
A trusted courtier, Ramose’s career spanned the tradi-
tional and the ’AMARNAPeriods, although he died before
’Amarna became Egypt’s capital in Akhenaten’s reign.
Ramose was a relative of the famed AMENHOTEP, SON OF
HAPU. Ramose accepted the cult of ATEN.
His tomb in SHEIKH ABD’EL-QURNA, on the western
shore of Thebes, contains traditional and ’Amarna style
reliefs. They depict Aten rituals, as well as the usual
scenes, and include a portrait of Amenhotep, son of
Hapu, always recognized by his long flowing hair. The
tomb was unfinished and not used, and Ramose’s remains
have never been discovered.Ramose (2)(fl. 13th century B.C.E.) Official of the Nine-
teenth Dynasty
He served as a scribe and administrator for RAMESSES II(r.
1290–1224 B.C.E.). Ramose was a temple official, belong-
ing to a family that held high positions since the reign of
TUTHMOSIS IVof the Eighteenth Dynasty. He served as a
scribe in the temple treasury, as accountant for the Cattle
of Amun, and as a chief administrator for the House of
the Seal Bearer. His tomb in ’AMARNAwas cruciform in
shape with a transverse galley and a burial shaft. It was
unfinished but contained statue remnants and painted
scenes.Ramose (3)(fl. 15th century B.C.E.)Official of the Eigh-
teenth Dynasty
He served HATSHEPSUT(r. 1473–1458 B.C.E.). His wife was
Hatnofer, and he was buried with her at Thebes. Ramose
was the father of SENENMUT, the tutor of NEFERU-RÉ.Ramesseum columns, part of the elaborate hypostyle hall in
Ramesseum columns in the funerary monument of Ramesses II
Ailleret.)