Ramesses IV
| Dynasty XX |
The third pharaoh of the Twentieth Dynasty, he was the fifth son of Ramesses III, and in the confusion after his father's assassination, managed to secure the throne for himself.
| Reign of Ramesses IV | |
|---|---|
| AE Chronology | 1156–1150 |
| von Beckerath | 1152–1145 |
| Shaw | 1153–1147 |
| Dodson | 1153–1146 |
| Malek | 1153–1147 |
| Arnold | 1163–1156 |
| Grimal | 1154–1148 |
| Redford | 1166–1160 |
| Highest attestation | Year 7 |
The Royal Titulary
From the hieroglyphic records
Horus name
Ka nakht ankh em Maat
kꜢ-nḫt Ꜥnḫ-m-mꜢꜤt
Horus, the strong bull, his Maat lives
E1:D40-mAat*anx:Aa11
Year 1
Kitchen. Ramesside Inscriptions, VI, 36
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 166-167, 3:H3
Kitchen. Ramesside Inscriptions, VI, 36
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 166-167, 3:H3
Horus name variant
Ka nakht ankh em Maat neb habu-sed mi itef Ptah-Tatenen
kꜢ-nḫt Ꜥmḫ-m-mꜢꜤt nb-ḥꜢbw-sd-mi-it.f-pth-tꜢṯnn
Horus, the strong bull, his Maat lives, master of the Heb-Sed like his father Ptah-Tatenen
E1:D40-anx-m-Sw-nb:O23F*Z3-mi-i-t:f:Z1:f-p:t-H-C18F
Year 1
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu, II, plate 101 (bottom)
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 166-167, 3:H1
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu, II, plate 101 (bottom)
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 166-167, 3:H1
Nebty name
Mek Kemet waf pedjut 9
mk-kmt wꜤf-pḏt-9
The protector of Egypt, he who vanquishes the Nine Bows
Aa11:a:k-I6:Aa15:t*O49-G45:f-V1:D40-pD:t*3:3*3
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu, II, plate 101 (bottom)
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 166-167, 3:N
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 166-167, 3:N
Golden Horus name
User renput wer nakhtu
wsr-rnpwt wr-nḫtw
The golden falcon, rich in years, whose victories are great
wsr-s-rnp-rnp-rnp-wr:r-n:xt:x*t:D40-Z3
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu, II, plate 101 (bottom)
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 166-167, 3:G
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 166-167, 3:G
Throne name
User Maat Ra, setep en Amun
wsr-mꜢꜤt-rꜤ stp.n-imn
Usermaatra, chosen one of Amun
ra-wsr-Sw-C12-stp-S3
Year 1
Couyat, Montet, Les inscriptions hiéroglyphiques et hiératiques du Ouadi Hammamat, 86
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 166-167, 3:T1
Couyat, Montet, Les inscriptions hiéroglyphiques et hiératiques du Ouadi Hammamat, 86
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 166-167, 3:T1
Throne name variant A
User Maat Ra, setep en Amun
wsr-mꜢꜤt-rꜤ stp.n-imn
Usermaatra, chosen one of Amun
C2\-wsr-C12B-stp-S3
Year 1
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu, II, plate 101 (bottom)
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:T3
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu, II, plate 101 (bottom)
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:T3
Throne name variant B
User Maat Ra, setep en Amun
wsr-mꜢꜤt-rꜤ stp.n-imn
Usermaatra, chosen one of Amun
C2\-wsr-C10A-stp-N-i-mn:n
Year 1
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu, VI, plate 101 B (usurped by Ramesses VI)
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:T4
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu, VI, plate 101 B (usurped by Ramesses VI)
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:T4
Throne name variant C
Heqa Maat Ra, setep en Amun
ḥḳꜢ-mꜢꜤt-rꜤ stp.n-imn
Ruler of the Maat like Ra, the chosen one of Amun
ra-HqA-C12B-stp:n
After year 1
Kitchen. Ramesside Inscriptions, VI, 12
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:T5
Kitchen. Ramesside Inscriptions, VI, 12
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:T5
Throne name variant D
Heqa Maat Ra, setep en Amun
ḥḳꜢ-mꜢꜤt-rꜤ stp.n-imn
Ruler of the Maat like Ra, the chosen one of Amun
C10A\-ra:HqA-C12-stp*S3
After year 1
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu, V, plate 360 B
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:T6
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu, V, plate 360 B
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:T6
Throne name variant E
Heqa Maat Ra, setep en Amun
ḥḳꜢ-mꜢꜤt-rꜤ stp.n-imn
Ruler of the Maat like Ra, the chosen one of Amun
ra-HqA-C10A-mn:n:stp:n
After year 1
Couyat, Montet, Les inscriptions hiéroglyphiques et hiératiques du Ouadi Hammamat, 240
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:T7
Couyat, Montet, Les inscriptions hiéroglyphiques et hiératiques du Ouadi Hammamat, 240
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:T7
Throne name variant F
Heqa Maat Ra, setep en Ra
ḥḳꜢ-mꜢꜤt-rꜤ stp.n-rꜤ
Ruler of the Maat like Ra, the chosen one of Ra
ra-HqA-C10A-stp&n&ra
After year 1
Gardiner, Peet, Cerny, The Inscriptions of Sinai, I, plate LXXV (277)
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:T9
Gardiner, Peet, Cerny, The Inscriptions of Sinai, I, plate LXXV (277)
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:T9
Throne name variant G
Heqa Maat Ra, setep en Ptah
ḥḳꜢ-mꜢꜤt-rꜤ stp.n-ptḥ
Ruler of the Maat like Ra, the chosen one of Ptah
ra-HqA-C102F-stp:n
After year 1
Kitchen. Ramesside Inscriptions, VI, 35
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:T10
Kitchen. Ramesside Inscriptions, VI, 35
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:T10
Throne name variant H
Heqa Maat Ra
ḥḳꜢ-mꜢꜤt-rꜤ
Ruler of the Maat like Ra
ra-C10C
After year 1
Kitchen. Ramesside Inscriptions, VI, 80
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:T11
Kitchen. Ramesside Inscriptions, VI, 80
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:T11
Birth name
Ramessu heqa Maat mery Amun
rꜤ-msi-sw ḥḳꜢ-mꜢꜤt mri-imn
Ramesses, ruler of Maat, beloved of Amun
ra-C2\*C12A-N36-HqA-ms:z:z-Sw
Year 1
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu, VIII, plate 593
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:E1
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu, VIII, plate 593
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:E1
Birth name variant A
Ramessu heqa Maat mery Amun
rꜤ-msi-sw ḥḳꜢ-mꜢꜤt mri-imn
Ramesses, ruler of the Maat, beloved of Amun
U6\-C12B\-ra:HqA-C2-ms-s-sw
Year 1
Kitchen. Ramesside Inscriptions, VI, 10
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:E2
Kitchen. Ramesside Inscriptions, VI, 10
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:E2
Birth name variant B
Ramessu heqa Maat mery Amun
rꜤ-msi-sw ḥḳꜢ-mꜢꜤt mri.imn
Ramesses, ruler of Maat, beloved of Amun
U6\-C12\-C2-ms*(ra:HqA)*C10A:z:z
Year 1
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu, II, plate 101 (bottom)
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:E3
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu, II, plate 101 (bottom)
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:E3
Birth name variant C
Ramessu heqa Maat mery Amun
rꜤ-msi-sw ḥḳꜢ-mꜢꜤt mri-imn
Ramesses, ruler of Maat, beloved of Amun
A272-s-s-HqA-Sw-C12A:N36
Year 1
Kitchen. Ramesside Inscriptions, VI, 1
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:E4
Kitchen. Ramesside Inscriptions, VI, 1
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:E4
Birth name variant D
Ramessu heqa Maat mery Amun
rꜤ-msi-sw ḥḳꜢ-mꜢꜤt mri-imn
Ramesses, ruler of Maat, beloved of Amun
U6\-C12\-ra:HqA-C2I-ms-s-sw
After year 1
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu, V, plate 361 B
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:E5
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu, V, plate 361 B
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:E5
Birth name variant E
Ramessu heqa Maat mery Amun
rꜤ-msi-sw ḥḳꜢ-mꜢꜤt mri-imn
Ramesses, ruler of Maat, beloved of Amun
ms:z:z-C2\-C12-Sw\*Sw:N36
After year 1
Gardiner, Peet, Cerny, The Inscriptions of Sinai, I, plate LXXI (276)
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:E7
Gardiner, Peet, Cerny, The Inscriptions of Sinai, I, plate LXXI (276)
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:E7
Birth name variant F
Ramessu heqa Maat mery Amun
rꜤ-msi-sw ḥḳꜢ-mꜢꜤt mri-imn
Ramesses, ruler of Maat, beloved of Amun
sw\-s\-ms-C2A\-C12B-C10A:N36
After year 1
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu, V, plate 301
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:E8
The Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu, V, plate 301
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 168-169, 3:E8
Bibliography
Beckerath, J. Handbuch der Ägyptischen Königsnamen, MÄS 49 (1999): 166–169
Baker. D. D. The Encyclopedia of the Pharaohs: Volume I – Predynastic to the Twentieth Dynasty 3300–1069 BC (London, 2008), 317–321
Gauthier, H. Le livre des rois d'Égypte. MIFAO 19 (1913): 178–190
Leprohon, R. J. The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary (Atlanta, 2013), 130
The Royal titulary
The full titulary was announced at the coronation, when a pharaoh officially became king.
Horus name
The oldest form of a pharaoh's name, often enclosed in a serekh, a sort of "heraldic crest" representing a palace facade.
Nebty name
The "Two Ladies", the heraldic goddesses Nekhbet and Wadjet, representing Upper and Lower Egypt respectively.
Golden Horus name
Gold was strongly associated with eternity, but the meaning of this title is disputed.
Throne name
(prenomen) Announced at the coronation, and written in a cartouche.
Personal name
(nomen) The name given at birth, also written in a cartouche.
Kinglists
- Turin king list
223 kings – Dynasty 19 - Abydos Canon
76 kings – Dynasty 19 - Saqqara Canon
58 kings – Dynasty 19 - Karnak Canon
61 kings – Dynasty 18 - Comparing the canons
Abydos, Saqqara and Karnak - Ramesseum Canon
Ramesses II Mortuary Temple - Medinet Habu Canon
Ramesses III Mortuary Temple
Ancient historians
- Herodotus
450 BC – Histories - Manetho
250 BC – Aegyptiaca - Diodorus
50 BC – Bibliotheca Historica - Josephus
100 CE – Against Apion - Africanus
220 CE – Chronographai - Eusebius
325 CE – Chronicon - Jerome
380 CE – Chronicon - Syncellus
800 CE – Egloga Chronographai - Eratosthenes
Probably a forgery (date unknown) - Comparing the sources
Transmission of Manetho
by Africanus et. al.
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