Ramesses II
(about 1279-1213 BC)
Horus name: Kanakht Merymaat
Nebty name: Mekkemetwafkhasut
Golden Falcon name: Userrenput-aanehktu
Prenomen: Usermaatre-setepenre
Nomen: Ramesses (meryamun)
Paintings on this page are done by Anneke Bart.
Wives,
Sons,
Daughters,
Courtiers
 Queen-Mother Mut-Tuy
Parents and family: Ramesses II was the son of King
Seti I and Queen
Mut-Tuy. Ramesses is shown on a stela behind Seti I as the
crown-prince. Ramesses
had an older sister named Tia. Tia married a treasurer who was also
named
Tia, and this couple was buried in the necropolis of Saqqara, close to
the
tomb of Horemheb. Ramesses likely had another sister named Henutmire,
and
she became one of the wives of Ramesses.
Ramesses' name is sometimes written as Ramessu or Ramses.
Tia and Tia shown sailing to Abydos.
Wives:
1. Nefertari Meryetmut ("Beautiful
companion, beloved of Mut")
Titles: Great of Praises (wrt-hzwt), Sweet of Love (bnrt-mrwt),
Lady of Grace (nbt-im3t), Great King’s Wife (hmt-niswt-wrt),
Great King’s Wife, his beloved (hmt-niswt-wrt meryt.f), Lady of
The
Two Lands (nbt-t3wy), Lady of all Lands (hnwt-t3w-nbw),
Wife
of the Strong Bull (hmt-k3-nxt), God’s Wife (hmt-ntr),
Mistress
of Upper and Lower Egypt (hnwt-Shm’w-mhw)
Principal queen during the early years of the reign of Ramesses II. She
appears in scenes at the Ramesseum and apparently had a chapel
dedicated to her (joint with the Queen-Mother Tuya). Ramesses II
had a temple at Abu Simbel dedicated to Nefertari and Hathor. Nefertari
is depicted twice on the facade of this smaller temple. Her images are
the same size as the images of her husband. She died sometime after
year
24 and was buried in QV 66 in the Valley of the Queens. She was the
mother of the Princes Amen-hir-kepesh-ef, Prehirwenemef, Meryatum,
Meryre
and the Princesses Merytamen and Henuttawy. Sometimes thought to be
the mother of the Princesses Bakmut, Nefertari and Nebettawy as well.
Queen Nefertari shown in her tomb in the Queen's Valley. The
Hathor temple at Abu Simbel, dedicated to Queen Nefertari.
2. Isetnofret (I) ("Isis,
the Beautiful")
Titles: Hereditary Princess (iryt-p`t), Great of Praises (wrt-hzwt),
King’s Mother (mwt-niswt), Mistress of the entire Two Lands (hnwt-t3wy-tm),
King’s Wife (hmt-nisw), Great King’s Wife (hmt-niswt-wrt)
This queen did not play as prominent a role as Nefertari, but is
depicted on some stela in upper egypt.
Her sons include the
Princes Ramesses, Khaemwaset, and Merenptah. Merenptah mentions that
he was born in Heliopolis, hence Isetnofret must have spent some time
in the Delta. Her daughters include Bintanath and Isetnofret.
Isetnofret
may also be the mother of prince Sety and princess Nebettawy (although
the latter is also often mentioned as a daughter of Queen Nefertari. It
is not known where Queen Isetnofret was buried. Some think she may be
buried
in the Valley of the queens, but it is also suggested that her tomb may
be located at Saqqara.
Ramesses with his second wife Isetnofret, their daughter
Bint'Anath and son Khaemwaset.
At the bottom of the stela we see the princes
Merneptah and Ramesses. (from a stela at Gebel-el
Silsila)
(Based on a drawing by Lepsius)
3. Bint-anath, ("Daughter of Anath")
Titles: Hereditary Princess, the great first one (iryt-p`t-tpit-wrt),
Lady of The Two Lands (nbt-t3wy), Great King’s Wife (hmt-niswt-wrt),
Mistress of Upper and Lower Egypt (hnwt-Shm’w
-mhw), King’s
Daughter
(s3t-niswt), King’s Sister (snt-niswt)
The eldest daughter of Ramesses and Queen Isetnofret was raised to the
position of great royal wife as early as year 22.
Bint-Anath as show in her tomb in the Queen's Valley. On the
right the daughter of Bint-Anath. (After a drawing by Lepsius)
 
Bint-Anath (left) and Merytamun (right) in Luxor.
(Photographs by Sesen)
4. Meryetamen, ("Beloved
of Amun")
Titles: Hereditary Princess, the great first one (iryt-p`t-tpit-wrt),
Lady of The Two Lands (nbt-t3wy), Great King’s Wife (hmt-niswt-wrt),
Mistress of Upper and Lower Egypt (hnwt-Shm’w
-mhw), King’s
Daughter
(s3t-niswt), King’s Daughter, his beloved (s3t-niswt-mryt.f),
King’s Sister (snt-niswt)
A daughter of Ramesses and Queen Nefertari was raised to the position
of great royal wife as early as year 24.
 
Princess-Queen Merytamen as depicted in her tomb in the
Valley of the Queens. (L)
(Based on a drawing by Lepsius) and in the temple at
Akhmin (R)
(Photograph by Sesen)
5. Nebettawy. ("Lady
of the Two Lands")
Titles: Lady of The Two Lands (nbt-t3wy), Great King’s Wife (hmt-niswt-wrt),
Mistress of Upper and Lower Egypt (hnwt-Shm’w
-mhw), King’s
Daughter
(s3t-niswt), King’s Daughter of his body, his beloved (s3t-niswt-nt-kht.f-mryt.f)
Another daughter of Ramesses who was raised to the position of great
royal wife. She served much later in the reign of Ramesses than her
older sisters.
Princess-Queen Nebettawy depicted in her tomb in the Valley of
the Queens.
(Based on a drawing by Lepsius)
6. Maathor-neferure, ("One who sees Horus, Beauty of Re")
Titles: Great King’s Wife (hmt-niswt-wrt), Mistress of the Two
Lands
(hnwt-t3wy), Daughter of the Great Ruler of Hatti.
She was the daughter of the Hittite King Hattusilis and Queen Puduheba.
Married Ramesses in year 34. Her Hittite name is not known. She was
apparently given the name Maat-hor-neferure upon her marriage to
Ramesses II. Had a daughter named Neferure. She first lived at the
royal palace at Pi-Ramesse. Records indicate that Maathorneferure later
lived in the royal harem at Mi-wer (Gurob). There is a small (broken)
statue of her next to the knee of Ramesses.
Maathorneferure and her father Hattusilis in
Egypt. (Based
on a drawing by Lepsius)
7. Henutmire. ("The
Lady is like Re")
Titles: Lady of The Two Lands (nbt-t3wy), Great King’s Wife (hmt-niswt-wrt),
Mistress of Upper and Lower Egypt (hnwt-Shm’w
-mhw), King’s
Daughter
of his body, his beloved (s3t-niswt-nt-kht.f-mryt.f)
Henutmire is thought by some to be a sister of Ramesses II, others
believe her to be a daughter or even grand-daughter of the King. A
princess Henutmire is depicted on the side of the Vatican statue of the
Queen-Mother Tuya. Henutmire is also depicted on statues from
Heliopolis, Hermopolis and mentioned on her sarcophagus.
Some have speculated that Henutmire was the daughter of Princess-Queen
Meryetamun and Ramesses. She seems to have become Queen fairly late in
the reign of Ramesses II. Possibly after year 38.
 
Henutmire on a statue of
Ramesses II (now
in the Alexandria museum)
8. [Second Hittite Princess] - no Egyptian name
survives, although in later records she is referred to as Bentresh. A
younger sister of Maathorneferure. According to Tyldesley Ramesses
married this second
daughter 10 years after the marriage to Maathorneferure, i.e. in year
44.
9. Sutererey who was the mother of Prince
Ramses-Siptah.
The Temple at Abu Simbel
His children:
A lot has been made of the fact that Ramses had so many children. He
was also the first king of the New Kingdom to show this large number of
offspring. Because of the inscriptions on temple walls it is possible
to reconstruct a partial list of children for Ramses. We know a bit
more about the eldest children of the king and where possible some
biographical information has been added.
Pocession of Sons at the Ramesseum below scenes showing
Ramesses before Amun, Mut and Ptah.
As well as Ramesses in the company of Horus(?) and Thoth.
(Photo by Sesen)
Sons:
1. Amen-hir-kepesh-ef / Seth-hir-kepesh-ef:
("Amun / Seth is with his strong arm")
Fanbearer on the King’s Right hand, Hereditary Prince, Royal Scribe,
Generalissimo (of his Majesty), Senior and Bodily King’s Son, beloved
of him. The Eldest son of Ramses and Nefertari. Changed his name
early in the reign from Amenhirwenemef to Amen-hir-kepeshef, and
changed it again (to
Sethhikopshef) around year 20. There is some speculation that he was
known as Amenhirkopshef in the north and Sethhikopshef in the south.
He was involved in the correspondence with the Hittites after the peace
treaty. He apparently died around year 25. There is an ostracon
mentioning a wife named Nefertari and a son named Sety. Likely buried
in KV5
2. Ramsesses: ("Born of Re") Fanbearer on the
King’s Right hand, Royal Scribe, Generalissimo (of the Lord of the Two
Lands), Bodily King’s Son, beloved of him Son of Ramses and
Isetnofret. Heir to the throne from year 25 to year 50. Buried in KV5.
 
Sons depicted at Abu Simbel. On
the left a prince from the smaller temple.
On the right a prince from the
great temple.
3. Prehirwenemef: ("Re is with his strong arm")
Fanbearer on the
King’s Right hand, 1st Lieutenant of the Army, King’s Son of his Body,
Master of
the Horses, First charioteer of His Majesty. Son of Ramses and
Nefertari. Depicted in the triumph that followed Kadesh. On a Karnak
statue base
there is mention of a woman named Wadjyt-kha’ti.
Amenhirkhepeshef, Ramesses, and Prehirwenemef at the Ramesseum
(Photo by Sesen)
4. Khaemwaset: ("Appearing in Thebes") King’s Son of
his
Body, Sem-Priest of Ptah, The Sem-priest controlling all clothing, High
Priest of Ptah in Memphis, Executive at the Head of the Two Lands. Son
of Ramses and
Isetnofret. Crown Prince from year 50 to 55. One of the best known sons
of Ramses. Known as one of the first archeologists. He was famous in
ancient Egypt,
and later featured as the hero Setne-Khaemwese in a cycle of
stories
written in the Late/Ptolemaic times. From documents and inscriptions
Khaemwaset is known to have had two sons: Prince Ramesses (a sem-priest
of Ptah) and Prince Hori (later High Priest of Ptah) and a daughter
named
Isetnofret. The name of Khaemwaset's wife (or wives) is not known to
us.
His grand-son Hori, son of HPM Hori later served as Vizier well into
the
20th dynasty.
Link
to Khaemwaset Page
5. Mentu-hirkepeshef: ("Montu is with his strong arm")
King’s
Son of
his Body, Master of the Horses, First Charioteer of his father, Royal
Scribe. Also known from a Statue from Bubastis. He is called
Mentu-hir-wenemef in an inscription from Luxor.
Mentu-hirkhepeshef was present at the battle of Kadesh in year 5 and
the Battle of Dapur in year 10.
Khaemwaset and Mentuhirkhepeshef at Luxor
(Photo by yuti)
6. Nebenkhurru: King’s Son of his
Body, Troopcommander. Prince Nebenkhurru was present at the battle of
Kadesh and at a battle in the North (Qode).
7. Meryamun: ("Beloved of Amun") King’s Son of his
Body. Also known as Ramesses-Meryamun. Present during the triumph after
the battle
of Qadesh, and the siege of the Syrian city of Dapur in year 10. Buried
in KV5, where remains of his canopic jars were found.
Sons 3 to 7 at the Ramesseum (from right to left).
I.e. Prehirwenemef, Khaemwaset, Mentuhirkhepeshef, Nebenkhurru, and
Meryamun.
(Photo by Sesen)
8. Amenemwia / Sethemwia: ("Amun / Seth in the divine barque")
King’s
Son of his Body. Present at the battle of Kadesh, siege of Dapur in
year 10 and the siege of Qode (in Naharina in the North). Named
Sethemwia at the town gate of Amara (in Nubia).
9. Sety: King’s Son of his Body,
First Officer of his father. His name is spelled Sutiy in his funerary
equipment. Present during the triumph after the battle of Qadesh, and
the siege of the Syrian city of Dapur in year 10. Buried in KV5, where
two of
his canopic jars were found. His tomb was inspected in year 53.
10. Setepenre: ("Chosen of Re") King’s Son of his
Body. Present at the siege of the city of Darfur (yr.10). A doorway
from Qantir (later usurped by son no. 39 Ramesses-Sethemnakht) lists
Setepenre as the hereditary prince and count, real King’s son, beloved
of him.
11. Meryre I: ("Beloved of Re") King’s Son of his
Body. Son of Ramses and Nefertari. Present at the Battle of Kadesh
(year 5) and
the Siege of Qode (in Naharina). Depicted twice on the façade of
the Hathor temple in Abu Simbel.
12. Horhirwenemef: ("Horus is strong with his arm")
King’s Son of
his Body. Shown
presenting prisoners to his father after the Battle of Kadesh. He was
present
at the siege of Qode (in Naharina), as depicted in Luxor.
13. Merenptah: ("Beloved of Ptah") Hereditary
Prince,
King’s Son of his Body, Eldest King’s Son, Executive at the Head of the
Two Lands., Generelissimo, Royal Scibe, Superintendant of the Seal. On
a naophorous kneeling statue he is listed as Director for the Gods,
Heir of Geb, Controller and Superintendant of his throne, Royal Scribe
and Generalissimo, Senior King’s Son Ramessses-Merneptah. Son of Ramses
and Isetnofret. Heir to
the throne and for all intent and purpose regent during the last 10
years
of his father’s reign. He became Generalissimo after year 50 and Heir
to the throne in year 55
14. Amenhotep: ("Amun is pleased") King’s Son of his
Body. Shown running and presenting prisoners to his father in a scene
in Luxor.
15. Itamun: (or
Ioti-Amun): ("Amun is the
father") King’s Son of his Body. A letter from The
superintendant of Cattle,
Sunero to prince Khaemwaset mentions Prince Ioti-Amun. Khaemwaset had
given an order: “Let search be made of these retainers the King’s Son
Ioti-Amun, who are in the district of Ninsu (Heracleopolis), and they
shall be made to name their companions (accomplices?)”. Further on in
the
letter Sunero writes: “Now, I reached the district of Ninsu and found
the
retainer of the General, Piay, along with Qenhirkhopshef, retainer of
the
King’s Son, Ioti-Amun, and they brought them back, 6 men of them, who
had
been in the prison of the son of the Chief of the Treasury. They
pressed
on southward to seize the others.”
16. Meryatum: ("Beloved of Atum") King’s Son of his
Body, High
Priest of Re in Heliopolis. There are statues of Meryatum in Berlis
that
list his titles as: Hereditary Prince and Count, Chief of the Seers in
the
mansion of the Phoenix (Bennu-bird), bodily King’s Son, beloved of him,
Chief
of Seers. Other titles mentioned: Setem-priest in the Horizon of
Eternity,
Eyes of the King at the head of his Two Lands, pure of hands in the
House
of Re, Charioteer of his father the victorious King, Horus Falcon,
Beloved
of Maat.
Son of Ramses and Nefertari according to the inscription on one of the
Berlin Statues. Apparently visited the Sinai during the second decade
of his father’s reign. He served as high priest for about 20 years. He
was either buried in the Queens Valley or in KV5.
17. Neb(en)taneb: ("Lord of all lands") King’s Son of
his
Body
18. Meryre II: ("Beloved of Re") King’s Son of his
Body
19. Amenemopet: ("Amun with the Opet feast") King’s
Son of his
Body
20. Senakhtenamen: ("Amun gives him strength") King’s
Son of
his Body. Mentioned
in Abydos.
21. Ramesses-Merenre: ("Born of Re, beloved of Re") King’s
Son of
his Body
22. Thutmose: ("Born of Thoth") King’s Son of his
Body
23. Simentu : ("Son of Montu") King’s Son of his
Body. He married Iryet, the daughter of Benanath, A Syrian ship’s
captain. An ostracon records: Year 42, 4th month of Peret, day (1), of
the King of S &
N Egypt,
Uimare Setepenre, Son of Re, Ramesses II, god, Ruler of
Heliopolis, LPH. Iryt, daughter of the ship’s captain Ben-‘Anath, the
wife of the
King’s Son Si-Montu who is in charge of the (irrigated) terrain of the
Estate of Usimare Stepenre, LPH in Memphis.
24. Mentuemwaset: ("Montu in Thebes") King’s Son of his
Body
25. Siamun: ("Son of Amun") King’s Son of his
Body
26. Ramesses-Siptah: ("Born of Re, Son of Ptah") King’s
Son of
his Body. Probably the son of Sutererey. Mentioned on a statue in the
Louvre.
On another relief in the Louvre, a Lady follows a prince. The prince
is identified as King’s Son Ramesses Siptah and his mother as the Royal
Wife Suteriroy
Further sons include:
27. Ramesses Si-Atum. ("Born of Re, Son of Atum") King’s
Son of his Body, his
beloved. Mentioned in Abydos.
28. Mentu-en-heqau. King’s Son of his Body, his
beloved. Mentioned in Abydos.,
29. Mery-mentu. ("Beloved
of Montu") King’s Son of his Body, his
beloved. Mentioned in Abydos.
30. […]-Montu. King’s Son of his Body, his beloved.
Mentioned in Abydos.
31. [?Me]r-Pre. ("Beloved
of Re?") King’s Son of his Body, his
beloved. Mentioned in Abydos.
32. Meryty-mi-re. King’s Son of his Body, his
beloved. Mentioned in Abydos.
33. Ramesses-Userkhepesh. ("Born of Re, Strong of Sword (?)")
King’s Son of his Body,
his beloved. Mentioned in Abydos.
34. Ramesses Mery-Setekh. ("Born of Re, Beloved of Sutekh")
King’s Son of his Body,
his beloved. Mentioned in Abydos and in the Ramesseum.
35. Ramesses Si-Khepri. ("Born of Re, Son of Khepri") King’s
Son of his Body, his
beloved. Mentioned in Abydos.
36. Ramesses-Merymaat. ("Born of Re, Beloved of Maat")
King’s Son of his Body, his
beloved. Mentioned in Abydos.
37. Ramesses-Meryastarte. ("Born of Re, Beloved of Astarte")
King’s Son of his Body,
his beloved. Mentioned in Abydos.
38. Mahiranat. King’s Son of his Body, his beloved.
Mentioned in the Ramesseum.
39. Sethemnakhte. King’s Son of his Body, his
beloved. Mentioned in the Ramesseum.
40. Geregtawi. ("Peace
of the Two Lands") King’s Son of his Body, his beloved.
Mentioned in the Ramesseum.
41. Shepsemiunu. King’s Son of his Body, his
beloved. Mentioned in the Ramesseum.
42. Astarte-hir-wenemef. ("Astarte is strong with his arm")
King’s Son of his Body,
his beloved. Mentioned in the Ramesseum.
43. Suty King’s Son, mentioned on Ostracon from
Cairo.
44. Ramesses-Payotnetjer King’s Son, mentioned on
Ostracon from Cairo.
45. Ramesses-Maatptah. ("Born of Re, Who sees Ptah (?)")
Known from papyri written by
his servant Meryiotef (Papyrus 366 and 367 from Leiden)
46. Ramesses Neb-weben. This prince was buried in
the Fayum in the sarcophagus of his great-grandfather, the Vizier
Paramessu (the later Pharaoh Ramesses I).
47. Ramesses-Userpehty, Bodily King’s Son, beloved
of him, divine offspring that came forth from the divine limbs. This
prince is mentioned on a column base and plaque from Memphis.
48. Ramesses Sethirkhepeshef. ("Born of Re, Seth is strong with his arm")
Probably identical
with Prince Amenhirkhepeshef. Mentioned in an ostracon from year 53,
mentioning his wife Nefertari and his son Sety.
49. Sethirkhepeshef
50. Usermaatre: Known from Karnak: Royal Statuary;
Schist statue CGC 42,140
Belt: Usermaatre, Image of Re.
Kilt’s front: Good God, Lord of Both Lands, Usermaatre Setepenre,
Bodily Son of Re, Lord of Crowns, Ramesses II, forever.
Front of knee: Usermaatre
Rear: <text omitted>
Throne right: The Hereditary Princess, greatly [favored, sweet of
lo]ve, Mistress of the South and North, fair of face, beauteous with
the Twin Plumes, Mistress of all lands, Great Royal Wife, his beloved,
Lady of the Two Lands, great in love, Nefertari Meryetmut, may she live.
Throne left: Hereditary Prince, Fanbearer on the King’s Right Hand,
Real King’s Scribe, his beloved, divine seed that came forth from the
Strong Bull, bodily King’s Son, dear to him, Generalissimo, Usermaatre,
justified. <some of the text added later?>
Daughters:
A procession of princesses from Abu Simbel.
From right to left: Bintanath, Bakmut, Nefertari, Merytamun,
Nebettawy, Isetnofret, Henuttawy, Werenro, Nedjemmut.
(After a line-drawing by Lepsius)
This list is based on the one published by K.A. Kitchen. The
first 9 princesses appear in the list at Abu Simbel, and the list from
10 - 30 based on the princess-list from Abydos (1st court, W onto N
walls).
Princesses 31-34 are from Luxor, and 35-38 from Medinet Habu/Ramesseum.
The final princesses, 39-53, come from an ostracon from the Louvre.
1. Bintanath. ("Daughter
of Anath") Eldest daughter of Ramesses and Queen
Isetnofret. The first of the princesses to be raised to the position of
great royal wife. Possibly as early as year 22. Bintanath is depicted
in the list of princesses at Abu Simbel. She is depicted as a queen
behind her mother and father on a stela from Gebel el Silsila. She is
also depicted on another stela from upper egypt.
In this second
inscription she is depicted in the second register behind her brother
Prince Ramesses and in front of her brother Merenptah. Ramesses II,
Isetnofret, and Prince Khaemwaset are depicted in the top register.
Bintanath was buried in QV71. In the tomb
she is depicted with a daughter. See above.
2. Bakmut, ("Handmaiden
of Mut") Bodily King’s Daughter, his beloved.
Second daughter depicted at Abu Simbel. Possibly a daughter of Ramesses
II and Queen Nefertari? Not much more is known about her.
3. Nefertari II, ("Beautiful
Companion") Bodily King’s Daughter, his beloved,
Chantress of Amun. Third daughter depicted at Abu Simbel and 7th at
Luxor. Probably a daughter of Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari. It is
possible that
this princess is identical to the Nefertari who is mentioned as the
wife of Prince Amen-hir-kepesh-ef and the mother of Sety.
4. Merytamun, ("Beloved
of Amun")Bodily King’s Daughter, his beloved,
King’s Daughter, Great Royal Wife, Lady of Both Lands, a daughter of
Ramesses II and
Queen Nefertari. Raised to position of great royal wife in or near year
24 when she is depicted in an inscription of the Viceroy of Nubia,
Heqanakht. Merytamun is shown officiating for her mother. Large statues
of Queen Merytamen are known from Akhmin and the Ramesseum. Merytamun
was buried in QV68.
5. Nebettawy, ("Lady
of the Two Lands")Bodily King’s Daughter, his beloved. The
third of the daughters of Ramesses II to be raised to the position of
great royal wife. Not much is known about her. Nebettawy appears in the
list of princesses at Abu Simbel and was buried in QV60.
6. Isetnofret II, ("Isis,
the Beautiful") Bodily King’s Daughter, his beloved,
Chantress of Isis. Probably a daughter of Ramesses II and Queen
Isetnofret. This princess may have been married to Prince Merenptah and
may be the Queen depicted alongside Merenptah at Gebel el-Silsila. If
so, then she is
the mother of prince Seti-Merneptah. Although it is also possible that
this queen of Merenptah is actually his niece Isetnofret III, the
daughter
of his brother Khaemwaset.
7. Henuttawy, ("Mistress of
the Two Lands") Bodily King’s Daughter, his beloved. She
appears
in the list of princesses at Abu Simbel.
8. Werenro(or Werel), Bodily King’s Daughter, his
beloved, Chantress of Amun. She appears in the list of princesses at
Abu Simbel.
9. Nedjemmut, ("Sweet
is Mut") Bodily King’s Daughter, his beloved.
She appears in the list of princesses at Abu Simbel.
Futher daughters include:
From Abydos:
10. Qedmerut, Bodily King’s Daughter, his beloved,
Chantress of Hathor. ;
11. Nebetiunet, ("Lady
of Heliopolis") Bodily King’s
Daughter, his beloved, Chantress of Hathor;
12. Nebetnehat.;
13. Tuya, Bodily King’s Daughter, his beloved,
Chantress of
Mut;
14. Hent-ah, Bodily King’s Daughter, his beloved,
Chantress of Hathor, Lady of […];
15. Meryt-Sekhmet, ("Beloved
of Sekhmet")
Bodily King’s Daughter, his beloved, Chantress of Sekhmet;
16. Henut-iunu;
("Mistress of Dendera")
17. […] ;
18. Niubhirkhesbed;
19. Shepsy-hir-iotes,
Bodily King’s Daughter, his beloved;
20. Hentmerut,
Bodily King’s Daughter, his beloved;
21. Meryetmihapi,
("Beloved like Hapi") Bodily
King’s Daughter, his beloved;
22. Meryetiotes B,
("Beloved of her father")
Bodily King’s
Daughter, his beloved;
23. Nebemiunu, Bodily King’s
Daughter,
his beloved;
24. Hentpahar, Bodily King’s Daughter, his
beloved;
25. Henutsekhemu, ("Mistress
of Powers") Bodily King’s Daughter, his
beloved,
Chantress of Hathor(?) ;
26. Hent-..i-sep? , Bodily
King’s
Daughter, his beloved;
27. Pipuy, Bodily King’s
Daughter,
his beloved, Chantress of Hathor-Nebt-hetepet. ;
28. Renpet-nofret,
Bodily King’s Daughter, his beloved, Chantress of […];
29. Neferure,
("Beauty of Re") Bodily King’s
Daughter, his beloved, Chantress of Pre
30. Meryt-netjer,
("Beloved of the god") Bodily
King’s Daughter, his beloved
From Luxor:
31. Meryt-Ptah, ("Beloved
of Ptah") Bodily King’s Daughter, his beloved,
Chantress of Ptah;
32. […]et-nofret, Bodily King’s
Daughter, his beloved, Chantress of Pre;
33. […]hab,
Bodily King’s Daughter, his beloved, Chantress of Amun;
34.
[…]maat?
From Medinet Habu:
35.[…]u-imenes; 36.[…]; 37. […]em-merut;
38. […]em-[…]-Mut
From an Ostracon from the Louvre:
39. […], King’s Daughter;
40. […]-nofret,
King’s Daughter;
41. […]taweret, King’s Daughter;
42. Henuttaneb,
("Mistress of all the Lands")
King’s Daughter;
43. Tuia, King’s Daughter;
44. Henutshedeshret,
King’s Daughter;
45. Hetepu-em-amun, ("Peace
of Amun") King’s Daughter;
46. Nebt-iam-nedjem, King’s Daughter;
47. Henut-tamehu,
("Lady of Lower Egypt") King’s
Daughter;
48. Nebetananash, King’s Daughter;
49. Sitamun,
("Daughter of Amun") King’s
Daughter;
50. Tia-Sitre,
("Tia, Daughter of Re") King’s
Daughter;
51. Tuia-Nebettawy, ("Tuia,
Lady of the Two Lands") King’s Daughter;
52. Takhat,
King’s Daughter;
53. Nubemweskhet, King’s Daughter
Courtiers and High Ranking Officials
We also have some information about the officials who served
Ramses. Here is a partial list of people who were responsible for
keeping the
country running. The officials are divided into army, government,
etc. Some of the sons of Ramses served in official capacities and have
been listed again.
Army Officials
The Sons of Ramesses:
Amenhirwenemef / Amenhikopshef / Sethhirkopshef:
Generelissimo, First King’s Son, Eldest King’s Son. The Eldest son of
Ramses and
Nefertari. Changed his name early in the reign, and changed it again
(to Sethhikopshef) around year 20. There is some speculation that
he was known as Amenhirkopshef in the north and Sethhikopshef in the
south. He was involved in the correspondence with the Hittites after
the peace treaty. He apparently died around year 25.
Mentuhirkopshef: Master of the Horses, King’s Son
of his Body.
Merenptah: Generelissimo, King’s Son of his Body,
Eldest King’s Son, Executive at the Head of the Two Lands. Son of
Ramses and Isetnofret. Heir to the throne and for all intent and
purpose regent during the last 10 years of his father’s reign. He
became Generalissimo after year 50 and Heir to the throne in year 55
Prehirwenemef: King’s Son of his Body, Master of the
Horses, First charioteer of His Majesty. Son of Ramses and
Nefertari. Depicted in the triumph that followed Kadesh.
Ramsesses: First Generalissimo, King’s Son of his
Body, Eldest King’s Son. Son of Ramses and Isetnofret. Heir
to the throne from year 25 to year 50. Buried in KV5.
Others:
Amenemonet, Chief of the Medjay, Overseer of the works on the
monuments of His Majesty etc., son of Unnufer, First prophet of Amun,
and Isis (Aset) , Chief of the harem of Amun.
Hatiay, Chief of the Medjay and Chief of Works. Son of the
General Urihiya. Part of a tomb lintel depicts a general Hatiay (Cairo,
Egyptian Museum, Temp. No. 28.5.25.1.) This may be a depiction of
Hatiay, son of Urihiya?
(Topological bibliography - Reliefs and Paintings by Malek)
Khay Scribe of commands of the army.
Neb-Re, real [king's scribe], beloved of him,
troop-commander and superintendent of foreign lands. Known from the
fortress at Zawiyet Umm el-Rakham
Nekhtmin Chief lieutenant of chariotry, etc. (TT282), son
of Pennesuttaui
Panhesi, royal scribe and the great chief of the army.
(from a stela at Zawiyet Umm el-Rakham)
Ramesesnakht , General. Known from statue he dedicated to
his father Nasha.
Saroy, Royal Scribe of the offering table of the Lord of
the Two Lands, Keeper of the royal documents in the presence (of the
king), Royal Scribe and Guardian of the Mansion of the Lord of the Two
Lands, Cattle Counter in the Estate of Amun, Royal Messenger to the
hill country. Saroy was buried in TT223. Also featured in the tomb is
Amenhotep, also called Huy, who held the title "Scribe of the
Offering
Table of the Lord of the Two Lands in the Estate of Amun”
Sebekhotep Great general.
Urihiya, Generallisimo, High Steward, Real King's
Scribe, Wive(s): Djama, Tuy(a), Chantress of Amun.
Urihiya is known to have had at least 3 sons:1. Pehefemnufer, Scribe,
Lector Priest. His sister/wife was named Satnehes.
2. Nebnehehiabsu, Lector Priest; Wife: Tanodjemet (men).
They had a son named Nebenhesu, who became Superintendent of the Harim,
and Thuttayefnakht.
3. Yupa, High Steward of the Lord of the Two Lands, Granary Supervisor, Steward in the Ramesseum in the domain of Amun. He married
Nuhety and his son Hatiay became Chief of Works and Chief of the
Medjay.
Yu[pa] Royal scribe, General
Court Officials
Harmin Overseer of the royal apartments at
Memphis, etc.
Kaemweset, Fan-bearer of the Lord of the Two Lands,
and wife Renpeten(t)opet, Royal sistrum-player of (the statue of)
Usermaetre-setepenre (Ramesses II) Montu in the Two Lands
Paheripedjet , Steward of the Lord of the Two
Lands
Yupa, Steward, Overseer of works, Overseer
of horses of the Lord of the Two Lands,etc., son of Iurokhy
Government Officials
Viziers
Paser (TT106). Vizier of the South. Paser has a long list
of titles and here are a selection of his titles as recorded
on several monuments: Mouth of Nekhen and Prophet of Truth (maat),
Fanbearer on the Right of the King. Festival Leader of Amun. Ruler with
the bat-sceptre in the mansion of Sekhmet. High Priest of
“Great-of-Magic”
(refers to Neith?). Chief of Secrets in the mansion of Neith.
Son of Nebneteru called Tenri, High Priest of Amun and sem-priest in
the temple of Ptah and Merytre, Chief of the Harim of Amun. Grandson of
Aniy and Naia (parents of Merytre) Brother: Tatia, Steward of the
temple of Maat.
Paser had monuments in Thebes (tomb), Pi-Ramesse, Tanis,
Memphis, Abydos, Medamud.
Hatiay Continued from the reign of Seti I. Hatiay is known from an
inscription at Giza. He is shown with Seti I adoring the Sphinx.
Nebamun, Vizier. Son of Ramose and Sheritre. Listed as a 'brother'
on a monument of the High priest of Osiris Wennufer. This means he was
likely related to Rahotep I, and possibly (more distantly) to Rahotep
II.
(Pa)Rahotep (I) Vizier (of the North) and said to be the son of
the high priest of Osiris, To and Maianuy. Mentioned on a monument of
the High Priest of Osiris, Wennufer as a 'brother' (could be a cousin
instead)
Ramessu Mentioned by Kitchen.
(Pa)Rahotep (II) Fanbearer, High Priest of Re, High Priest of Ptah
and Vizier (of the North). He was the son of the High Priest of Ptah
Pahemneter. Listed as 'brother' of the High Priest of Anhur Minmose.
Married to Huneroy, who was Chief of the Harim of Herishef, who
was the daughter of Buia called Katnesu, Chief of the Harem of Anhur.
Rahotep (II) may also have been a (distant) relative of Wennufer the
High Priest of Osiris.
Nehy Vizier of the South. Mentioned by Kitchen.
Tuthmose Vizier of the South. Mentioned by Kitchen.
Khay Vizier of the South. Son of Troop Commander Hai and Chantress
of Amun Nubemniut. His wife was called Yam.
Neferrompet, Vizier and High Priest of Ptah. Son of Neferronpet
and Qafriati. Married to the Lady Mutpipu. His son Bakenptah was a
God's Father. He seems to have had at least four daughters: Inuhayet,
Taweret'khati, Reset, and Henutmeter.Amenmose Mayor of
Thebes
Viceroy of Nubia
Iuni: Started his career during the reign of Sety I.
Became Viceroy of Kush after Amenemope(t) under Ramesses II.
Heqanakht : Reign of Ramses II. Year 8-24 of
Ramesses' reign? Present at the dedication of the temple at Abu Simbel
in year 24.
Huy: He was also Mayor of Tjarw (Pi-Ramses)
and Messenger to Hatti. Reign of Ramses II
Setau: Middle of the reign of Ramses II; The
granite lid of his sarcophagus is in the British Museum. It probably
comes from his tomb in Thebes TT289. His wife was Nefertmut, Songstress
of Nekhbet, and his mother was named An, a Songstress of Amun,
Paser II: End of the reign of Ramses II; Son of the
First Prophet of Min and Isis named Minmose.
Other
Panehesy: Overseer of the treasury of the
Lord of the Two Lands (statue in the British Museum),
Sety , Overseer of the treasury of the Lord of the
Two Lands.
Siesi : Overseer of the two granaries of Upper and
Lower Egypt,
General, etc.
Tia and Tia, Overseer of the Treasury,
Fanbearer on the right of the king, etc, (husband) and the King's Noble
Sister, Songstress of Amun, Chief of the temple muscicians of Pre
(wife).Tia (the wife) was a sister of Ramses II. She was the daughter
of Seti I and Queen Tuy.Daughters: Mutmetjennefer and an unnamed girl.
Tjuneroy, Overseer of works on all monuments of the
King, royal scribe, etc. Father: Paser (I) (Steward of the
Temple of Amun), Wife: NashaytBrother: Paser (II) (Overseer of the
builders), Sister: Iineferty.The location of Tjuneroy's tomb is now
lost, but slabs from his tomb are on display in Cairo, and his Canopic
jars are in the Brooklyn Museum (New York).
Urihiya, High Steward, Real King's Scribe,
GenerallisimoWive(s): Djama, Tuy(a), Chantress of Amun.
Urihiya is known to have had at least 3 sons:Pehefemnufer,
Nebnehehiabsu, Yupa.
Priesthood
Ramesses and Nefertari worshipping before the barque at
Abu Simbel.
(After a drawing by Lepsius.)
High Priests of Amun
Nebneteru Tenry (Chief Prophet of Amun) and Merytre
(Chief of the Harem of Amun). Known from TT 106. This is the tomb of
their son
Paser, Governor of the Town and Vizier , Temp Sety I - Ramses II Wife
of Paser: Tiy (Chief of the Harem of Amun)
Sons of Paser: Taty (Head of the stable) and Iny
Nebwenenef, High priest of Amun, Temp Rameses II. TT
157. Wife: Takhat (Chief of the Harem of Amun, Songstress of Isis)
Nebwenenef is shown followed by a fan-bearer appearing before Rameses
II and (Merymut) Nefertari in a palace window. Nebwenenef is being
appointed as High priest of Amun (year 1 of Rameses II).
Bekenkhons (I), High priest of Amun, Temp. Ramesses II.
(TT35). Parents: Roma (First and Second Prophet of Amun) and Roma
(Singer of Amun). Wife: Mertesger (Chief of the Harem of Amun)
Unnefer (Wennefer) : temp Rameses II. Known from a
family statue (in Copenhagen) dedicated to him by his son Ameneminet
(Head of the Bow, Overseer of Works on all the monuments of Rameses II,
Chief of the Medjay). Father of Unnefer is Minhotep, mother Maya. This
was a particularily powerful family.
Paser: temp Rameses II. From a Griffith Institute
statue.
Rama(ray), high priest of Amun, Rameses II - Merenptah.
TT 283. Wife: Tamut (name in niche in court), Tabest (name on stela in
Museum in Leiden) On the stela Ramaray is given the titles: The Prince
and Count, the God's Father, clean of hands, Priest of Kamutef,
Overseer of the prophets of all the gods, Third Prophet of Amun, Second
Prophet of Amun, First Prophet of Amun
High Priests of Ptah
Iry-Iry: Time of Ramses II.
Huy: reign of Ramesses II. Possibly from year 2. Shown in
year 16 officiating over the burial of an Apis bull with Khaemwaset and
Ramses II.
Pahemnetjer: The sarcophagus of Pahemnetjer is in
the British Museum even though the location of his tomb is not known.
It’s presumed to be in Saqqara. Probably followed Huy. Father of both
Didia and Parahotep the younger. Ca year 20 of Ramses II
Didia: Elder son of Pahemnetjer. Brother of the Vizier
Parahotep the younger. Ca yr 35 of reign of Ramesses II
Khaemwaset: King’s Son of his Body, Executive at the Head
of the Two Lands. Son of Ramses and Isetnofret. Crown Prince from year
50 to 55. One of the best known sons of Ramses. Known as one of the
first archeologists. He was famous in ancient Egypt,
and later featured
as the hero Setne-Khaemwese in a cycle of stories written in the
Late/Ptolemaic times. Khaemwaset became Sem Priest of Ptah in ca year
16 and High Priest of Ptah in year 45.
Ramesses - Son of Prince Khaemwaset, brother of Hori -served as Sem
Priest of Ptah.
Parahotep(II), son of Pahemnetjer. After serving as
Vizier, Parahotep also became High Priest of Ptah and High Priest
of Re in ca year 55 of Ramses II.
Neferronpet. In year 60 of the reign of Ramses. Likely the
same Neferronpet who was made Southern Vizier in year 50.
Hori: Son of Prince Khaemwaset. Became HPM in year 65/66
of the reign of Ramses. He continued to serve under his uncle
Merneptah.
Other dignitaries in the temple of Ptah
Mose, Treasury Scribe of PtahWife: Mutnofret, Chantress of
Bast. Son of huy, the Treasury Scribe of Ptah and Nubnofret.
Huy is the son of Werel, the daughter (descendant) of Neshi.The tomb
records many generations of litigation about the lands granted to an
ancestor named Neshi in the time of Ahmose.
Ptahmose, High Steward of the temple of Ptah in Memphis,
etc. Known from a tomb relied now in the museum in Leiden.
The relief shows 2 sons and 3 daughters. The names
of the daughters look like Nadjet (??), Merytptah and Ta-sety (??)
Ptahmose, (same as above??), Noble, Count,
Sealbearer of the King of Lower Egypt,
Sole Companion, Great Chief
in the White Walls (=Memphis), Steward for His Lord, Wife: Inuhety;
His daughters are listed as Inuhety, Nafi, Nofretiye, Tawai, Mutkhati,
Inunehet, and furtehr down on the inscription we see daughters
(-in-law?)
Tamit, Merytptah and Nafi.
Sons: Hori, wab priest and temple scribe of Ptah, Usi, God's Father and
Chief wab-priest in the House of Ptah, Iia, Wab Priest
of Ptah.
Ptahmose, God's Father of Ptah, Son of Yuyu, God's
Father of Ptah and Mutnofret. Wife: Tamiyet (Takhuru?).
He had a son called Yuyu, Superior Priest of Ptah and a daughter Nafi.
Raia, Chief of Singers in the temple of Ptah. Wife:
Mutemwia (Songstress of Amun). Raia was a contemporary of Paser and
Tjuneroy. His tomb is close to that of Paser.
Yuyu, Deputy of the temple of PYuyu, Dtah, wab-priest in
front of Ptah.
High Priests of Re
Amenemopet, HP of Re in Heliopolis
Meryatum: High Priest of Re in Heliopolis, King’s
Son of his Body, Son of Ramses and Nefertari. Apparently visited the
Sinai during the second decade of his father’s reign. He served as
high priest for about 20 years. He was either buried in the Queens
Valley or in KV5.
Ramesseum
Festival of Min depicted at the Ramesseum. Neferatari is show
dancing.
(After a drawing by Lepsius.)
Ramesseum
Amenemonet , Chief steward in the Ramesseum in the domain
of Amun, etc.
Hati , Scribe of the temple in the domain of Onuris,
Steward in the temple of Rameses- meryamun (Ramesses II)
Hormose, TT-C7 Head
guard of the treasury in the Ramesseum, Temp. Ramesses II Wife: Mutemwia
Khnumemheb, TT26, overseer
of the treasury of the Ramesseum in the estate of Amun, Wife: Mery-Isis.
Penre , Overseer of works in the Ramesseum in the domain of Amun,
Chief of the Medjay
Ptahemwia, Treasurer of the Ramesseum in Memphis,
Noble, Sealbearer, Sole Companion,
Yupa, Steward in the
Ramesseum in the domain of Amun,
High Steward of the Lord of the Two Lands, Granary Supervisor.
He married Nuhety and his son Hatiay became Chief of Works and Chief of
the Medjay.
Other
Hori , Prophet of Harendotes, son of Unnufer
Wnn-nfr , First prophet of Osiris.
Khensmosi, wab-priest in front of Amun, Overseer of works
on all monuments of Amun, and wife Merytmut, Songstress of Amun.
Minmose Overseer of prophets of all the gods of Ta-wer
(Abydos), First prophet of Onuris, etc., son of Hori
(Hor), First prophet of Onuris, and Inty.
Panehesi , Head of the songstresses of the altar of Amun,
Prophet of Amenophis (I) (TT16), son of Nuy , Songstress of Amun, and
wife Ternute, Songstress of Amun at Karnak
Yuyu, First prophet of Osiris, etc., son
of Unnufer, First prophet of Osiris, and Ty, Songstress of Osiris,
Songstress of Isis
Bibliography / Suggested Reading
1.Breasted, J.H. Ancient
Records of Egypt,
Vol3
Chicago 1906 (reprinted in 2001)
2. Dodson A. and Hilton D. The Complete Royal Families of Ancient
Egypt,
London 2004
3. Kitchen, K.A. Ramesside Inscriptions: Notes and Comments (Vol 2),
Blackwell Publishers (1997)
4. Kitchen, K.A. Ramesside Inscriptions: Ramesses II, His
Contemporaries (Ramesside Inscriptions, Translations, Vol III),
Blackwell Publishers (2000)
5. Kitchen, K.A. Pharaoh Triumphant: The Life and Times of Ramesses II,
King of Egypt
(1983)
6. Jaromir Malek, Diana Magee and Elizabeth Miles: Topographical
Bibliography of Ancient
Egyptian Hieroglyphic Texts, Statues,
Reliefs and PaintingsVolume VIII: Objects of Provenance Not Known:
Statues (Published online by the Griffith Institute)
7. Tyldesley, J. Ramesses: Egypt's
Greatest Pharaoh, Penguin
Books 2001
8. University College London: http://www.digitalegypt.ucl.ac.uk/chronology/ramsesii.html
9. Theban Mapping project page on KV7, tomb of Ramesses II: http://www.kv5.com/sites/browse_tomb_821.html
10. Theban Mapping project page on KV5, tomb of the sons of Ramesses
II: http://www.kv5.com/sites/browse_tomb_819.html
Last edited: October 2007
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