RAMESSES II

(ph)This sphinx was originally created by King Ramesses II and then reworked by his son, Merneptah. 1279-1204BCE (J3434-3509). A row of hieroglyphs runs along the base of the sphinx, reading from front to back in each case and ending in the rear of the sphinx. They show the titles of the king. My transcription and translation appear elsewhere on this page.

(ph)Modern scholars usually refer to Egyptian kings by the names they were given at birth, but during the reign the king would have been known to all by the special name he assumed at his accession to the throne. Ramesses II's throne name is shown in the cartouche on the left, his birth name on the right.

(ph)Ramesses is a Greek version of the king's birth name which may have sounded something like 'Riyamassu'. It means "Ra engendered him", Ra being the god of the Sun who, by this time was identified as the god who chose the kings of Egypt.

(ph)King Merneptah, Ramesses' son, inscribed his own name on the shoulders of the sphinx. On his many wives Ramesses engendered children by the dozens, and outlived may of them. Merneptah was his thirteen son, the elder twelve having died before their father.

(ph)An unusual depiction of the king. Original paint can still be seen on this bust. Egyptians of both sexes would have worn eye makeup as a protection against the brilliant sunlight. Ramesses ruled for over 60 years, living into his 80's or 90's. He outlived many of his presumptive heirs.

( )My transcription and translation of the hieroglpyhs inscribed around the base of the sphinx (left, rear, and right sides). These show the names and titles of Ramesses II.Cartouches encircle his birth and throne names. His Horus and Two Ladies names also appear. These are special names born for special events.

(oi)The firm of Seti and Son (unlimited) was in business prior to 1279BCE (J3433). Seti (the adult figure on the left) is King Seti I, his son (behind Seti) became Rameses II, the master builder of Egypt.

(ph)This huge seated statue of Ramesses II dominates a large hall in the U Penn museum. It is worth a walk-around. The front of the statue shows titles and names of the king which can be identified in the Names and Titles Image elsewhere on this page.

(ph)The statue would undoubtedly have been brightly painted in antiquity. This view, and the view from the left side, show Ramesses sitting on a throne which itself is a hieroglyph (for "seat" or "throne", naturally). The word was composed of the consonants s and t and some unknown vowel in between. Egyptologists pronounce it "set".

(ph)Of course, Ramesses' names and titles appear on all sides of the statue, just so you know who it is who is being depicted.

(ph)The four columns show three of Ramesses' names. The left hand column is headead by a crowned falcon, emblem of the god Horus, the god associated with royalty. The next column is headed by a goose with the Sun above its back, this reads "Son of Ra", below it we read "Lord of Appearances", and the name he was given at birth follows below that. The next column identifies him as "King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Lord of the Two Lands" and then shows his throne name.

(ph)The god Atum, on the right, holds a khepesh sword in his right hand and the caption in front of his says "He gives every supremacy and every victory".