by Max Overton
"Great Lady, undoubtedly Seti-Merenptah is his father's son, and by law should ascend the throne of Kemet, but there are other considerations. The kingdoms have just gone through a time of great unrest, where brother fought brother and everyone suffered the loss of Ma'at. What Kemet needs more than anything else is a time of healing. The people need to see that the times of unrest are behind us, and what better way to do that than to bring the brothers together in Kemet's future?"
"I hope you are not talking of raising the traitor Messuwy to the throne," Ament said. "The army would oppose you and the country would be plunged back into civil war."
"No, not Messuwy, but rather his son," Hori said. "Seti-Merenptah is plainly the heir, let no man dispute that, but Kemet needs someone on the throne that can unite the Lands. Someone that people know to be of royal descent. I say, let Siptah rule as king until Seti-Merenptah comes of age."
"Never," I said. "That would be to allow Messuwy the victory."
"He would be king only until Seti-Merenptah is old enough," Hori said.
"And when Siptah has a son and wishes to make him heir?"
"It could be a condition of his enthronement, that Seti-Merenptah is his heir."
I looked at Bay. "You remain silent, Chancellor, while another speaks to your family's benefit."
"I am your servant, Great Lady," he replied. "I hesitate to put my nephew forward lest it seems self-serving, but really, Siptah is a grandson of Baenre Merenptah, as is Seti-Merenptah, and who better to hold the throne of Kemet until your son comes of age?"
"Only hold? You do not seek to make him king permanently?"
"We know the gods are fickle," Hori said. "Anything could happen in the twelve or fourteen years of Seti-Merenptah's minority, either to him or to Siptah."
"I have already said I would act as regent during that time," I replied. "What need of Siptah?"
"Except you are a woman, Great Lady, and Kemet is traditionally ruled by men."
"There are exceptions."
"Indeed, Great Lady, but none particularly successful. If there is a war..."
"I have led legions in battle."
"Even so, Great Lady, a man, even a boy, would unite both sides of Kemet's recent War of Brothers. And if you think a boy is not up to the task, then think of Nebkheperure Tutankhamen. A boy when he was made king, but he ruled successfully for ten years..."
"Or rather his uncle Ay ruled for him," Ament said.
"And he had a strong general in Horemheb to guard Kemet's borders," added Iurudef.
"We have strong generals now," Hori pointed out. "You and Setnakhte, with strong legions under them. Also, in place of Ay, we have the superlative skills of Queen Tausret and Chancellor Bay to guide him politically, and a strong Tjaty to govern each of the kingdoms."
* * *
And so I was persuaded. Kemet needed healing after the civil war that had so thoroughly disrupted Ma'at and I knew in my heart that our son Seti-Merenptah was too young to reign, even with me as regent. I had nothing against Siptah except that he was the son of Messuwy, so why should he not reign until Seti-Merenptah was of age? I did not want the throne for myself; I would be content as regent. I had advisers in Hori and Bay, and strong generals to guard the frontiers. Best of all I had a good friend in Ament, and I resolved to bring him back to Men-nefer to resume the command of the Set Legion or even a local legion that would guard Seti-Merenptah until he came of age. Siptah would have to be shunted aside when that time came, but if it came to a choice between a crippled king and a strong prince and heir of the former king, I had no doubt whom the gods would choose.
Ah, my beloved husband Seti, I grieve that you have passed the portals of death, but I shall ensure that our son rules after you and to that end I will rule Kemet no matter who actually sits on the Double Throne. I make that my vow.
The story of the
Fall of the House of Ramesses
will conclude in
Book 3: Tausret
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Places, People, Gods & Things
in Fall of the House of Ramesses
Abdju
city of Abydos, near modern day el-'Araba el Madfuna
Abu
(1) city of Elephantine, near modern day Aswan
(2) elephant
Ahmes
(1) neru pehut, Shepherd of the Royal Anus
(2) Commander of the Set Legion after Iurudef is promoted to General of the North
Akh
magical non-physical counterpart of the physical body or Khat
Akhet-aten
the city built by the Heretic, Akhenaten
Amenhirkashef
High Priest of Amun in Men-nefer
Amenhotep
(1) Third Prophet of Amun in Waset
(2) Troop Commander elevated to Commander of the Amun Legion by Messuwy
Amenmesse
born Messuwy, eldest son of Merenptah, later king Menmire Amenmesse
Amenmose
Tjaty of the South after Khaemter; grandson of the Hem-netjer of Heru
Ament
Leader of Five, later Leader of Fifty, Guardian of Tausret and Seti, then demoted. Later made Captain of Palace Guard, Troop Commander of Per-Bast Legion, Commander of Set Legion, deputy Commander of the Amun Legion; Adviser to the Queen.
Amun
creator deity, local god of Thebes (Waset), often worshipped as Amun-Re (Amun-Ra)
Amunherkhepershef
eldest son of Ramesses II
Amurru
roughly equivalent to modern day Syria
Anapa
the god Anubis
Anapepy
Chief Scribe of Merenptah and Seti II
Aniba
administrative capital of Wawat (Northern Kush)
Anupemheb
(1) a scribe in the Place of Truth
(2) court physician under Seti II
Asar
Osiris, god of the underworld and resurrection
Ashkelon
a Philistine city
Atum
the Creator god
Auset
the goddess Isis. Sometimes called Aset or Iset
Ba
the self
Baenre
throne name of Merenptah
Bakenkhons
Second Prophet of Amun in Waset, later Hem-netjer
Bay
an Amorite servant, Scribe, later Royal Butler, then Chancellor, also brother of Suterere and uncle of Siptah
Behdet
city south of Waset, modern day Edfu
Ben-ben
the sacred mound of creation; also the capstone on a pyramids and by extension the whole pyramid
Bennu
a bandit leader in Kush
Bes
god worshipped as protector of mothers, children, childbirth
Besenmut
Commander of the Ptah legion under Merenptah and Seti II
Deben
a unit of weight that in the New Kingdom was about 91 grams. Divided into ten kite.
Disebek
Commander of the Re legion
Djanet
city in the north-east of Ta Mehu, Tanis
Djau
Troop Commander of the Amun Legion; Acting Commander in the absence of Merenkhons
Djehuti
the god Thoth
Duamutef
a protection god of the Canopic jars, son of Heru
Eilah
a coastal town on the east side of the Land of Sin; modern day Eilat
Emsaf
Commander of the Heru Legion
Ephrim
a Canaanite slave boy at Timna, rescued by Ament
Geb
god of the earth
Gebti
or Gebtu, Coptos, modern day town of Qift
Gezer
a Philistine city
Ghazzat
modern day Gaza
Great Field
Ta-sekhet-ma'at, Valley of the Kings
Hapi
a protection god of the Canopic jars, son of Heru. The river god
Hatti
the Hittites
Hay
a Foreman of the Great Field
Heka
the Crook, a symbol of kingly authority
Hemaka
a junior scribe in the service of Amenmesse
Hem-netjer
High Priest
Henen-nesut
Herakleopolis, city near modern day Beni Suef
Henty
hedgehog
Henuttaneb
mother of Tausret
Heru
the god Horus
House of Purification
The House of Embalming
Hori
(1) son of Khaemwaset, later Hem-netjer of Ptah and Governor of Men-nefer
(2) son of Hori (1), Tjaty of the North
(3) son of Kama; First Charioteer and King's Messenger
Huni
Captain of the Guard in Seti IIs court outside Waset
Hut-hor
the goddess Hathor
Hut-Repyt
city in Ta Shemau, near modern day village of Wannina
Hut-waret
city of Avaris in Ta Mehu that was absorbed into the city of Per-Ramesses; centre of worship of the god Set
Ib
the heart
Intef
embalmer in Men-nefer
Iteru
the Great River; the River Nile
Iunu
a northern city, Heliopolis, now north-east edge of Cairo
Iurudef
Commander of the Set Legion; later General of the North
Jerem
a Canaanite slave boy at Timna, rescued by Ament
Jochim
Chief of the Shechite tribe in the Land of Sin
Ka
the vital essence, the soul
Kadesh
town in southern Amurru or Syria, site of a battle between the Hittites and Egyptians under Ramesses II
Kaftor
one of the Sea Peoples, the Philistines
Kament-Huy
Governor of the Ahment nome (administrative district)
Kemet
the land of Egypt
Kemetu
Egyptian, the people of Egypt
Kenhirkhopeshef
Scribe of the Great Field
Khaemter
Troop Commander in Napata, elevated to Viceroy after Messuwy is deposed, Tjaty of the South under Amenmesse
Khaemwaset
fourth son of Ramesses II, Sem-priest of Ptah
Khat
the physical body
Khent-Min
city north of Waset, modern day Akhmim
Khepresh Crown
the Blue Crown commonly worn in battle; it was made of cloth or leather
Khepre
Khepri, an aspect of the sun god Re
Khmun
Hermopolis, city in Ta Shemau near modern day El Ashmunein
Khonsu
god of the moon; son of Amun and Mut
Khopesh Sword
curved sword evolved from a battle axe; later had more of a ceremonial function
Khufu's Horizon
the Great Pyramid of Giza built by Khufu c.2560 BCE
King's Son of Kush
Viceroy of Nubia
Kush
Nubia
Kushite
people of Kush
Ma'at
Goddess of Truth and Justice; also the concept of truth, order, law and balance
Mahuhy
Royal Secretary under Seti II
Medjay
an elite paramilitary police force
Menkauhor
Troop Commander of the Amun Legion; later made Legion Commander by Menmire Amenmesse
Menmaatre
throne name of Seti I
Men-nefer
ancient capital of Lower Egypt, Memphis
Menpehtyre
throne name of Ramesses I
Mentmose
Chief Palace Physician under Merenptah
Mentopher
Mine Overseer at Timna
Merenkhons
commander of Amun Legion under Seti II after Setnakhte demoted
Merenptah
thirteenth son of Ramesses II, King of Egypt, father of Seti and Messuwy
Meres
Garrison Commander at Eilah
Meryma'at
a grandson of Pareherwenemef, a rebel
Meryre
son of Meryatum, priest of Iunu; a rebel
Merysekhmet
Tjaty of the North under Merenptah and Seti II
Messuwy
eldest son of Merenptah, later King Menmire Amenmesse
Min
god of fertility
Mose
estate owner near Ta-senet who supported Messuwy
Mut
the mother goddess; consort of Amun
Nakhtu-aa
close-combat troops
Napata
capital of Kush
Nebamen
Military Commander at Timna
Nebmaatre
throne name of Amenhotep III
Neferhotep
(1) a Foreman of the Great Field
(2) Captain of the Palace Guard after Ament
Neferronpet
Tjaty of the South (Ta Shemau)
Neith
goddess of war and hunting
Nekhakha
the Flail, a symbol of kingly authority
Nekhen
Hierakonpolis, city of Hawks, south of Waset, opposite modern day El Kab
Nine of Iunu
The Ennead of Iunu; the nine gods associated with creation, Atum, Shu, Tefnut, Geb, Nut, Asar, Auset, Set, Heru & Nebt-Het
Nubt
city in Ta Shemau, modern day town of Kom Ombo
Nut
goddess of the night
Opet Festival
a celebration held annually in Waset in the second month of the Inundation
Paneb
adopted son of Neferhotep; a troublemaker
Panhesy
a Leader of One Hundred in the Ptah Legion
Paraemheb
Tjaty of the South under Seti II after the fall of Amenmesse
Pareherwenemef
third son of Ramesses II
Paser
a scribe in the Place of Truth
Pehe-mau
hippopotamus
Per-Asar
a city in Ta Mehu
Per-Bast
Bubastis, a city in Ta Mehu
Perire
a city on the western border of Ta Mehu
Per-Ramesses
the capital city of Ramesses II
Per-Wadjet
city in Ta Mehu near modern day Desouk
Pesheskef
a spooned blade used in the ceremony of the Opening of the Mouth
Place of Purification
the House of Embalming
Place of Truth
the village where the workers in the Valley of the Kings resided
Ptah
god of craftsmen and architects, associated with the city of Men-nefer (Memphis)
Qebehsenuef
a protection god of the Canopic jars, son of Heru
Qenna
a Troop Commander in the Kushite army
Ramesses
(1) King of Egypt (Ramesses II)
(2) second son of Ramesses II
(3) son of Khaemwaset
(4) son of Setnakhte, later Ramesses III
Ramose
(1) Treasurer under Seti II, succeeded by Bay
(2) Overseer of Fish in Waset
Ramses
a grandson
of Pareherwenemef, a rebel
Re
(Ra) sun god, often worshipped as Amun-Re or Atum-Re
Rekhmire
embalmer in Men-nefer
Remaktef
a scribe, grandson of Kenhirkhopeshef
Ren
a man's Name
Rephidim
a tribe of the Land of Sin, named for a place of the same name
Retenu
Canaan, present-day Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon
Re-Usey
Physician of the King's Mouth under Merenptah and Seti II
Ribu
a tribe in eastern Libya
Roma-Rui
Hem-netjer of Amun in Waset
Royal Butler
a high-ranking official in the Royal Court
