Ramses III
Ramses III was the second king of Egypt's Twentieth Dynasty, reigning from 1184 to 1153 BCE. He is recognized as a successful military leader, notably repelling invasions from Libya and an alliance of various groups known as the Sea Peoples, which included the Philistines and Sardinians. His reign is often associated with the earlier Ramses II, who is commonly linked to the biblical narrative of Moses. In addition to his military achievements, Ramses III undertook significant building projects, including the construction of his renowned mortuary temple at Medinet Habu. His rule, however, was marred by internal strife, culminating in a conspiracy led by one of his minor wives, Tiy, who sought to place her son on the throne. This effort, known as the Harem conspiracy, ultimately led to Ramses III's death before the conspirators could be tried. His passing is seen as a turning point, marking the beginning of a decline in Egypt's power and stability, characterized by economic and political challenges in the years that followed.
Ramses III
Related civilization: Pharaonic Egypt
Major role/position: Ruler or Pharaoh
Life
Ramses III (RAM-seez), who reigned from 1184 to 1153 b.c.e., was the second king of the Twentieth Dynasty, founded by his father, Setnakhte. A successful military leader, he repelled invasion attempts, first from Libya and later from the Sea Peoples, an alliance of Philistines, Sardinians, Cretans, and others. He continued the policies of his illustrious namesake of the preceding dynasty (Ramses II), who is thought to have been the biblical pharaoh who struggled with Moses. Ramses III also completed ambitious tree-planting and building projects, such as his famous mortuary temple, Medinet Habu. He was mortally wounded when one of his minor wives, Tiy, plotted unsuccessfully to usurp the throne for her son, in what is known as the Harem conspiracy. Ramses III died before the trial of the conspirators ended.
Influence
The reign of Ramses III marked a pivotal time in ancient Egyptian history because he is regarded as the last great pharaoh. After his rule, Egypt went into a period of decline, with economic, social, and internal political problems.
Bibliography
Brugsch-Bey, Heinrich. Egypt Under the Pharaohs. London: Bracken Books, 1996.
Clayton, Peter A. Chronicle of the Pharaohs: The Reign-by-Reign Record of the Rulers and Dynasties of Ancient Egypt. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1998.
Forty, Jo. Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs. North Dighton, Mass.: JG Press, 1998.
Nelson, Harold Hayden. “Three Decrees of Ramses III from Karnak.” Journal of the American Oriental Society, no. 2 (1935): 232-241.