Merneptah

Portrait of Pharaoh Merneptah

Merneptah (/ˈmɛrnɛptɑː, mərˈnɛptɑː/[2]) or Merenptah (reigned July or August 1213–2 May 1203 BCE) was the fourth pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Ancient Egypt. According to contemporary historical records, he ruled Egypt for almost ten years, from late July or early August 1213 until his death on 2 May 1203.[3] He was the first royal-born pharaoh since Tutankhamun of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt.[4]

Merneptah was the thirteenth son of Ramesses II,[5] only coming to power because all of his older brothers had died, including his full brother Khaemweset.

He was around seventy years old when he ascended to the throne. He is arguably best known for the Merneptah Stele, featuring the first known mention of the name Israel. His throne name was Ba-en-re Mery-netjeru, which means "Soul of Ra, Beloved of the Gods".

  1. ^ "King Merenptah", Digital Egypt, University College London (2001). Accessed 2007-09-29.
  2. ^ "Merneptah". Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.
  3. ^ Jürgen von Beckerath, Chronologie des Pharaonischen Ägypten, Mainz, (1997), pp.190
  4. ^ Darnell, J. C., & Manassa, C. (2007). Tutankhamun's Armies: Battle and Conquest During Ancient Egypt's Late Eighteenth Dynasty. John Wiley & Sons.
  5. ^ Gae Callender, The Eye Of Horus: A History of Ancient Egypt, Longman Cheshire (1993), p.263

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