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| Ramesses VIII | |||
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| Also written Ramses and Rameses |
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| Pharaoh of Egypt | |||
| Reign | 1130–1129 BC, 20th Dynasty | ||
| Predecessor | Ramesses VII | ||
| Successor | Ramesses IX | ||
| Father | Ramesses III | ||
| Died | 1129 BC | ||
Usermare Akhenamun Ramesses VIII (also written Ramses and Rameses) or Ramesses Sethherkhepshef Meryamun ('Set is his Strength, beloved of Amun')[1] (1130-1129 BC) was the seventh Pharaoh of the Twentieth Dynasty of the New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt and was one of the last surviving sons of Ramesses III.[2] The fact that he succeeded to power after the death of Ramesses VII--a son of Ramesses VI--may indicate a continuing problem in the royal succession.[3] Ramesses VIII is the most obscure ruler of this Dynasty and the current information from his brief kingship suggests that he lasted on the throne for one year at the most.[4][5] although some scholars assign him a maximum reign of two years. Monuments from his reign are scarce and consist primarily of an inscription at Medinet Habu, a mention of this ruler in one document--Berlin stela 2081 of Hori at Abydos--and one scarab. His only known date is a Year 1, I Peret day 2 graffito in the tomb of Kyenebu at Thebes.[6]
He is the sole pharaoh of the Twentieth Dynasty whose tomb has not been definitely identified in the Valley of the Kings, though some scholars have suggested that the tomb of Prince Mentuherkhepshef, KV19, the son of Ramesses IX, was originally started for Ramesses VIII but proved unsuitable when he became a king in his own right. Ramesses VIII's prenomen or royal name, Usermaatre Akhenamun, means "Powerful is the Justice of Re, Helpful to Amun."[7]
Search for the Lost Tomb
Currently an all-Egyptian team of researchers headed by Afifi Rohiem under the supervision of Dr.Zahi Hawass are looking for the pharaoh's never identified tomb [1]
References
- ^ Peter Clayton, Chronicle of the Pharaohs, Thames & Hudson Ltd, 2006 paperback, p.167
- ^ Nicolas Grimal, A History of Ancient Egypt, (Blackwell Books: 1992), pp.288-289
- ^ Clayton, op. cit., p.169
- ^ Grimal, op. cit., p.289
- ^ Clayton, op. cit., p.169
- ^ Tomb No.113: see P.M. I, i (1960), pp.230-231
- ^ Clayton, op. cit., p.167
External links
| Preceded by Ramesses VII |
Pharaoh of Egypt Twentieth Dynasty |
Succeeded by Ramesses IX |
