Precedessor Successor | |
---|---|
Reign of Ramesses II | |
AE Chronology | 1279–1213 |
v. Beckerath | 1279–1213 |
Shaw | 1279–1213 |
Dodson | 1279–1212 |
Arnold | 1290–1224 |
Malek | 1279–1213 |
Grimal | 1279–1212 |
Redford | 1304–1237 |
Manetho (Josephus) | 66y 2m |
Manetho (Africanus) | 61 years |
Manetho (Eusebius) | 66 years |
Manetho (Jerome) | 66 years |
Highest attestation | Year 67 |
Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great, reigned as Pharaoh of Egypt for 66 years, 2 months and 9 days, and chances are that you have seen the cartouche bearing his name. His long reign allowed him to become the most prolific builder of the kingdom – his name can be found almost everywhere a temple was built in Egypt, and the number of variants of his names is unparalleled.
A skilled military leader, he commissioned massive depictions of scenes from the Battle of Kadesh on impressive monuments erected throughout Egypt, including the massive temples at Abu Simbel, Ramesseum and Luxor.
Despite this, his name was not associated with these places until the decipherment of the hieroglyphs in the early 1820s, and was barely mentioned by the Greek historians of antiquity. Diodorus describes a huge temple at Thebes built by the King of Kings, Osymandyas, which is a Greek approximation of Usermaatra, the throne name of Ramesses II.
The Royal Titulary
From the hieroglyphic records
Horus Ka nakht mery Ra The Dual King User Maat Ra, setep en Ra Son of Ra Ramessu mery Amun
Horus names
The oldest form of the name of a pharaoh, a falcon representing Horus is perched on the palace facade.
Rosellini, I Monumenti dell' Egitto e della Nubia, IV-1, plate CXVII a
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, beloved of Ra
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 152-153, 3:H3
Rosellini, I Monumenti dell' Egitto e della Nubia, IV-1, plate CXVII a
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, beloved of Ra
Rosellini, I Monumenti dell' Egitto e della Nubia, IV-1, plate CXVII b
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, beloved of Ra
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , II 294:10
Petrie, Tanis, II, pl. III (81)
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Strong bull, beloved of Ra, who has trampled all the foreign countries under his sandals
Rosellini, I Monumenti dell' Egitto e della Nubia, IV-1, plate CXVII a
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, beloved of Maat
Rosellini, I Monumenti dell' Egitto e della Nubia, IV-1, plate CXVII a
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, beloved of Maat
Rosellini, I Monumenti dell' Egitto e della Nubia, IV-1, plate CXVII a
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, beloved of Maat
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, beloved of Maat
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , II, 259:2-4
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, beloved of Maat, possessor of Sed festivals like his father Ptah-Tatenen
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 152-153, 3:H2
Rosellini, I Monumenti dell' Egitto e della Nubia, IV-1, plate CXVII a
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, son of Amun
Rosellini, I Monumenti dell' Egitto e della Nubia, IV-1, plate CXVII b
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, son of Amun
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, son of Atum
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, son of Atum
Porter & Moss, Topographical Bibliography IV, 20 (163)
Petrie, Tanis, I, plate XI (60)
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, son of Atum
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, son of Tatenen
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, son of Ptah
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, son of Ptah
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, son of Ptah
Rosellini, I Monumenti dell' Egitto e della Nubia, IV-1, plate CXVII a
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, strong of might
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, strong of might
Rosellini, I Monumenti dell' Egitto e della Nubia, IV-1, plate CXVII a
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, great of might
Porter & Moss, Topographical Bibliography , IV, 20 (163)
Petrie, Tanis, I, plate XI (60)
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, great of might
Petrie Hyksos and Israelite cities, plates XXIX-XXX
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, beloved of Ptah
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, protector of Egypt
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The powerful bull of Ra
Rosellini, I Monumenti dell' Egitto e della Nubia, IV-1, plate CXVII a
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The Strong bull, great of Sed festivals and beloved of the Two Lands
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The Strong bull, great of Sed festivals
University Museum of Philadelphia E 13566
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Great of Sed festivals like Tatenen
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 152-153, 3:H26
Rosellini, I Monumenti dell' Egitto e della Nubia, IV-1, plate CXVII a
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, who has fought with his strong arm
Rosellini, I Monumenti dell' Egitto e della Nubia, IV-1, plate CXVII a
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, who has fought with his strong arm
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, who has governed the Two Lands
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 152-153, 3:H20
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, who shattered the Asiatics
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 152-153, 3:H24
Porter & Moss, Topographical Bibliography , IV, 20 (163)
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, strong of Maat
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, strong with sword
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, rich in years
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull rich in immesureable years
Porter & Moss, Topographical Bibliography , IV, 20 (163)
Porter & Moss, Topographical Bibliography , IV, 20 (163)
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, great of majesty
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , II, 586:9
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, who rejoiced Maat
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, who has upheld Maat
Rosellini, I Monumenti dell' Egitto e della Nubia, IV-1, plate CXVII a
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, powerful of might
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 152-153, 3:H9
Rosellini, I Monumenti dell' Egitto e della Nubia, IV-1, plate CXVII b
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, decisive and mighty
Porter & Moss, Topographical Bibliography , IV, 20 (163)
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, whose White Crown is high
Rosellini, I Monumenti dell' Egitto e della Nubia, IV-1, plate CXVII b
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull, who has elevated Thebes
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The sharp-horned strong bull
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 152-153, 3:H17
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The strong bull of the rulers, beloved of Amun
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , II, 259:11
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Strong bull, who has subdued the foreign lands
Nebty names
The “Two Ladies”, the goddesses Nekhbet and Wadjet, representing Upper and Lower Egypt respectively.
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Protector of Egypt who curbs foreign lands
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 152-153, 3:N1
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Protector of Egypt, who has subdued foreign lands, Ra whom the gods have borne, the founder of the Two Lands
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 152-153, 3:N2
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions II, 600:10
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Protector of Egypt, who has subdued foreign lands
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The divine image of Khepri
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 152-153, 3:N3
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , II, 599:5
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Great of majesty, the Protector of Egypt
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 152-153, 3:N4
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , II, 599:8
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Who has rejoiced in Maat like Horakhty
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 152-153, 3:N6
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , II, 605:11
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Who has made monuments splendid in Ipet-Resyt for his father Amun who put him on the throne
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:N5
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , II, 602:15
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Who has fought for millions, a stout-hearted lion
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:N7
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , II, 605:15
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Who has fought with his strong arm, the protector of his armies
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:N8
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , II, 603:2
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Who has felled those who attacked him and who has captured the ends of the earth
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:N9
Golden Horus names
Horus perched on Gold, which was associated with eternity, but its meaning is disputed.
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Rich in years, great in victories
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:G1a
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Rich in years, great in victories
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 152-153, 3:G1b
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions II 352:11
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Rich in years, great in victories
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions II 583:4
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Rich in years and great of kingship like Atum, the sovereign whom the gods fashioned, the one who has fostered the Two Lands
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , II, 599:8
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Strong of might, beloved of the Two Lands
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:G3
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions 352:13
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Strong of might, beloved of the Two Lands
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions II, 740:6
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Strong of might
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , II, 586:10
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Great of effectiveness, beloved of the Two Lands
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 152-153, 3:G2
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , II, 599:3
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, A pillar, like the one who is in Thebes
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:G4
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , II, 605:12
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Who seeks benefits for the one who bore him
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:G5
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , II, 605:15-16
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The powerful of arm, who has repelled the Nine Bows
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:G6
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , II, 602:16
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Great of victories in every foreign country
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:G7
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , II, 603:2-3
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Great of splendor and powerful of strength
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:G8
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , II, 599:5-6
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Who has subdued foreign countries and repelled the rebellious ones
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:G9
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions II 740:2
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Who has subdued the rebellious ones
Throne names
Announced at the coronation and always written in a cartouche. The “official” name of the pharaoh. Also known as the Prenomen.
Passim
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:T9
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 159.185ff
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:T10
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:T15
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 175d
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 175a
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:T5
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:T12
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:T13
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 175a
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 175a
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:T7
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 175a
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:T8
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , II, 717 (F)
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 177
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:T1
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , II, 717 (E)
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 177a+e (top)
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:T2
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 175d
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:T4
Birth names
Personal name given at birth. Also known as the Nomen.
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:E2
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:E1
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:E3
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:E4
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:E5
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:E6
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:E7
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:E8
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 154-155, 3:E9
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 3:E10
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 3:E17
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 3:E12
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 3:E13
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 3:E15
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 3:E16
The sources of antiquity
From the writings of the historians and scholars of antiquity
Author | Greek | Transcription | Reign |
---|---|---|---|
Africanus xix, 2 | Ραψακης | Rapsaces | 61 years |
Eusebius xix, 2 | Ραμψης | Rampses | 66 years |
Jerome | Ramses | 66 years | |
Josephus 97 | Aρμεσσης Μιαμουν | Armesses Miamun | 66 years, 2 months |
Diodorus 1.47.4 | Οσυμανδυας | Osymandyas |
Bibliography
- Gauthier, H. Le livre des rois d'Égypte. MIFAO 19 (1913): 33–113
- Beckerath, J., 1999. “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, Second edition, MÄS 49: 152–157
- Leprohon, R. J., 2013. The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary. Atlanta: 114–120
- Baker. D. D., 2008. The Encyclopedia of the Pharaohs: Volume I. London: 308–312
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