|
|
Ramses 11
Other spellings: Rameses, Ramesses
King of Ancient Egypt (1099- 1069 BCE), the 10th and last ruler of the 20th Dynasty. His name was not Ramses. This was a name/title he took when assuming power.
His reign was disturbed by civil wars. It was principally fought between the central authorities and the army of the high priest of Amon, Amenhotep, in Karnak. The high priest was not victorious in these struggles; with his fall Thebes disintegrated into anarchy. Herihor would emerge as new high priest of Amon and is often listed as one of the 20th Dynasty kings, since he took the title of king.
There was also a war against the viceroy of Nubia. During the reign of Ramses 11, large parts of Egypt were lost, and during the last 10 years he ruled over an area no larger than the Nile Delta (Lower Egypt). The consequence was that two new dynasties were formed, one in Upper and one in Lower Egypt. One could say that with Ramses 11, the Egypt of great dynasties comes to an end.
Ramses had a tomb built in the Valley of the Kings, but as he lost Upper Egypt, he was never buried here.
© Copyright 1996-2008 LookLex Ltd. All rights reserved
By: Tore Kjeilen
|
|
|
