Prince Amenkhepeshet

          Pharaoh Seti I

         Family Tree, 19th Dynasty

Queen Nefertari

King Ramses II

Seti's Son & Daughter In-Law

Seti's Grandsons

Seti's Father & Mother

King Ramses I

Queen Sitre

Seti's First Wife

Queen Tuya

Ancient Africa

Seti's Daughter(s)

Tia

Henutmire

Merenptah

Merenptah, 4th King of Egypt's 19th Dynasty

When Ramses II died, his 13th son, Merenptah ascended the throne of Egypt. Merenptah was old himself by this time, probably nearly sixty years old, and his reign was short lived (perhaps only nine or ten years) in comparison with that of his father's reign. According to the Oxford History of Ancient Egypt, he ruled from 1213 until 1203 BC.

Merenptah was the grandson of Seti I.

KV 8 - Tomb of Merenptah

The Merenptah Victory Stele is unique. In it, Merenptah lists enemy conquests, but the most interesting reference is a very rare mention of Israel. It may be the oldest non biblical reference to that country. In part, the stele states that:

"The princes are prostrate saying: "Shalom!"

Not one of the Nine Bows lifts his head:

Tjehenu is vanquished, Khatti at peace,

Canaan is captive with all woe.

Ashkelon is conquered, Gezer seized,

Yanoam made nonexistent;

Israel is wasted, bare of seed,

Khor is become a widow for Egypt.

All who roamed have been subdued.

By the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Banere-meramun,

Son of Re, Merenptah, Content with Maat,

Given life like Re every day."

The name Israel, mentioned in a hymn of victory on the Merenptah stele (1220 B.C.)

Egyptian Museum, Cairo

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