Seti II in hieroglyphs

The fifth pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty, a.k.a. Sethos II

Seti II was a son of Merenptah, and succeeded his father. His short reign was complicated by an usurper, Amenmesse, that took control of Thebes and parts of Upper Egypt.

Precedessor
Merenptah

Successor
Amenmesse

Reign of Seti II
AE Chronology1202–1198
v. Beckerath1200–1194
Shaw1200–1194
Dodson1201–1195
Arnold1214–1204
Malek1200–1194
Grimal1202–1196
Redford1221–1215
Highest attestationYear 6

The Royal Titulary

From the hieroglyphic records

The Dual King
The Son of Ra

Horus Ka nakht wer pehty  The Dual King User kheperu Ra, setep en Ra  Son of Ra Seti mery en Ptah

Horus names

Horus name

The oldest form of the name of a pharaoh, a falcon representing Horus is perched on the palace facade.

Horus name
Ka nakht wer pehty
kꜢ-nḫt wr-pḥti
The strong bull, great of might
E1:D40-wr:r-F9-F9
Seti II Athribis obelisk usurped from Ramesses II (Berlin ÄM 12800)
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 244:5-16
Roeder, Ägyptische Inschriften aus den Königlichen Museum zu Berlin, II , p. 28, 30, 32
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 158-159, 6:H1
Horus name variant
Ka nakht mery Ra
kꜢ-nḫt mri-rꜤ
The strong bull, beloved of Ra
E1:D40-mr-i-i-C2A
Daressy, Notes et remarques, RecTrav 14 (1893): 30-31 (XLIX)
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 158-159, 6:H3
Horus name variant
Ka nakht mery Ra
kꜢ-nḫt mri-rꜤ
The strong bull, beloved of Ra
E1:D40-mr-C2
Sandstone seated statue of Seti II ( British Museum EA26)
Sandstone statue, Turin 1383
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 268:3
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 158-159, 6:H5
Horus name variant
Ka nakht mery Ra
kꜢ-nḫt mri-rꜤ
The strong bull, beloved of Ra
E1:D40-mr-i-i-ra:Z1-A40
Sandstone statue, Turin 1383
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 268:5
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 158-159, 6:H4

Nebty names

Two ladies hieroglyphs

The “Two Ladies”, the goddesses Nekhbet and Wadjet, representing Upper and Lower Egypt respectively.

Nebty name
Nakht khepesh der pedjut 9
nḫt-ḫpš dr-pḏt-9
The strong-armed one who has repelled the Nine Bows
n:xt:x*t:D40-xpS:d:r:D40-pD:t*3:3*3
Seti II Athribis obelisk usurped from Ramesses II (Berlin ÄM 12800)
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 244:8/11
Roeder, Ägyptische Inschriften aus den Königlichen Museum zu Berlin, II , p. 28
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 160-161, 6:N1
Nebty name variant
Mek Kemet waf khasut
mk-kmt wꜤf-ḫꜢswt
The protector of Egypt who has subdued foreign countries
Aa15:a:k-I6:Aa15:t*O49-w-a:f:D40-N25:t*3
Sandstone statue, Turin 1383
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 268:5
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 160-161, 6:N3
Nebty name variant
Mek Kemet waf khasut
mk-kmt wꜤf-ḫꜢswt
The protector of Egypt
G20:k-I6-Aa15:t*O49-G45-f:W:D40-N25:t*Z2
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 251:4-5
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 160-161, 6:N4

Golden Horus names

Golden Horus name

Horus perched on Gold, which was associated with eternity, but its meaning is disputed.

Golden Horus name
Aa neru em tau nebu
ꜤꜢ-nrw-m-tꜢw-nbw
He whose victories are great in all the lands
aA:nr:Aa15-N17:N17:N17:nb:W*Z2
Seti II Athribis obelisk usurped from Ramesses II (Berlin ÄM 12800)
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 244:8/11
Roeder, Ägyptische Inschriften aus den Königlichen Museum zu Berlin, II , p. 28, 30
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 160-161, 6:G1
Golden Horus name variant
Aa nakhtu em tau nebu
ꜤꜢ-nḫtw m tꜢw-nbw
Great of victories in all lands
aA:a:Y1-n:M3-x^^^D40:t*Z2-Aa15:N17:N17:N17-nb:W*Z2
Statue of Seti II at Karnak
Painted statue (Cairo Museum, CG 1198)
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 260:11-12
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 160-161, 6:G2

Throne names

Prenomen or throne name

Announced at the coronation and always written in a cartouche. The “official” name of the pharaoh. Also known as the Prenomen.

Throne name
User kheperu Ra, setep en Ra
wsr-ḫprw-rꜤ stp.n-rꜤ
Powerful are the manifestations of Ra, the chosen one of Ra
ra-wsr-xpr:Z2-stp&n&ra
Seti II Athribis obelisk usurped from Ramesses II (Berlin ÄM 12800)
Roeder, Ägyptische Inschriften aus den Königlichen Museum zu Berlin, II , p. 29
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 160-161, 6:T1
Throne name variant
User kheperu Ra, setep en Ra
wsr-ḫprw-rꜤ stp.n-rꜤ
The strong one of the manifestations of Ra, whom Ra has chosen
ra-wsr-xpr:Z2-stp&n&ra-C12E-mr
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 294:13
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 160-161, 6:T7
Throne name variant
User kheperu Ra, setep en Ra
wsr-ḫprw-rꜤ stp.n-rꜤ
The strong one of the manifestations of Ra, whom Ra has chosen
ra-wsr-xpr:Z2-stp&n&ra-U7:r-i-i-A2-i-mn:n-G7
Griffith, Petrie Papyri (1898), pl. 39, line 34
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 160-161, 6:T8
Throne name variant
User kheperu Ra, setep en Ra
wsr-ḫprw-rꜤ stp.n-rꜤ
The strong one of the manifestations of Ra, whom Ra has chosen
ra-wsr-xpr:Z2:n-stp&n&ra
Papyrus Anastasi VI
Gardiner, Bibliotheca Aegyptiaca VII (1937), 72:8
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 160-161, 6:T2
Throne name variant
User kheperu Ra, mery Amun
wsr-ḫprw-rꜤ mri.imn
The strong one of the manifestations of Ra, beloved of Amun
ra-wsr-xpr:Z2-C12E-mr
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 248:3
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 160-161, 6:T3
Throne name variant
User kheperu Ra, mery Amun
wsr-ḫprw-rꜤ mri.imn
The strong one of the manifestations of Ra, beloved of Amun
ra-wsr-xpr:Z2-N36:i*(mn:n)
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 246:14
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 160-161, 6:T5
Throne name variant
User kheperu Ra, mery Amun
wsr-ḫprw-rꜤ mri.imn
The strong one of the manifestations of Ra, beloved of Amun
ra-wsr-xpr:Z2-i-mn:n:U7
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 204e
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 160-161, 6:T6
Throne name variant
User kheperu Ra, mery Seth
wsr-ḫprw-rꜤ mri.stẖ
The strong one of the manifestations of Ra, beloved of Seth
ra-wsr-xpr:Z2-mr-stX
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 246:3
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 160-161, 6:T9

Birth names

Nomen or birth name

Personal name given at birth. Also known as the Nomen.

Birth name
Seti mery en Ptah
stḥy mri n ptḥ
The one who belongs to Seth, beloved of Ptah
p:t-H-mr-stX*i*i:n
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 237c
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 160-161, 6:E1
Birth name variant
Seti mery en Ptah
stḥy mri n ptḥ
The one who belongs to Seth, beloved of Ptah
stX\-A40A-N36:n-i-i
Seti II Athribis obelisk usurped from Ramesses II (Berlin ÄM 12800)
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 244:8/11
Roeder, Ägyptische Inschriften aus den Königlichen Museum zu Berlin, II , 31
Birth name variant
Seti mery en Ptah
stḥy mri n ptḥ
The one who belongs to Seth, beloved of Ptah
stX-i-i-(p:t)*H*mr\:n
de Morgan, Catalogue des monuments et inscriptions de l'Egypte antique (1894), I, 95, No. 146
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 160-161, 6:E3
Birth name variant
Seti mery en Ptah
stḥy mri n ptḥ
The one who belongs to Seth, beloved of Ptah
stX-i-i-mr*(p:t-H):n
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 251:5
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 160-161, 6:E4
Birth name variant
Seti mery en Ptah
stḥy mri n ptḥ
The one who belongs to Seth, beloved of Ptah
stX-i-i-N36:n-p:t-H
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 205c/e
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 160-161, 6:E5
Birth name variant
Seti mery en Ptah
stḥy mri n ptḥ
The one who belongs to Seth, beloved of Ptah
stX-i-i-U7:n-p:t-H
Fragment of kneeling statue (Cairo Museum, CG 1239)
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 245:10-11
Birth name variant
Seti mery en Ptah
stḥy mri n ptḥ
The one who belongs to Seth, beloved of Ptah
stX\-C102-(i-i-mr):n
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 246
Birth name variant
Seti mery en Ptah
stḥy mri n ptḥ
The one who belongs to Seth, beloved of Ptah
stX-i-i-N36:n-p:t-H-C102
Qantir doorway lintel
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 294:14
Birth name variant
Seti mery en Ptah
stḥy mri n ptḥ
The one who belongs to Seth, beloved of Ptah
stX-i-i-N36:n-p:t-H-C19
Metropolitan Museum of Art 67.161.2
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 160-161, 6:E7
Birth name variant
Seti mery en Ptah
stḥy mri n ptḥ
The one who belongs to Seth, beloved of Ptah
mr\-H-p:t-sw*ti*i*i:n
Newberry, Scarabs (1908), pl. 36 (4)
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 160-161, 6:E8
Birth name variant
Seti mery en Ptah
stḥy mri n ptḥ
The one who belongs to Seth, beloved of Ptah
C98A-V39A-N36:n-p:t-H
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, Text III, 215
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 160-161, 6:E9
Birth name variant
Seti mery en Ptah
stḥy mri n ptḥ
The one who belongs to Seth, beloved of Ptah
E21-i-i-U7:n-p:t-H-G7
Papyrus Anastasi VI
Gardiner, Bibliotheca Aegyptiaca VII (1937), 72:8
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 160-161, 6:E11
Birth name variant
Seti
stḥy
The one who belongs to Seth
E21-i-i
Limestone fragments (Cairo museum CG 25515)
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 382:9
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 160-161, 6:E10

Bibliography

  • Gauthier, H. Le livre des rois d'Égypte. MIFAO 19 (1913): 130–139
  • Beckerath, J., 1999. “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, Second edition, MÄS 49: 158–161
  • Leprohon, R. J., 2013. The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary. Atlanta: 122–123
  • Baker. D. D., 2008. The Encyclopedia of the Pharaohs: Volume I. London: 414–416
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