Amun-her-khepeshef (died c. 1254 BC; also Amonhirkhopshef, Amun-her-wenemef and Amun-her-khepeshef A) was the firstborn son of Pharaoh Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari.
| Amun-her-khepeshef | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King's Son Commander of the Troops Effective Confidant Fan-bearer on the King's Right Hand Royal Scribe | ||||||
 Prince Amun-her-kepshef (centre) at the Temple of Abydos | ||||||
| Died | ca. 1254 BC | |||||
| Burial | KV5 Thebes | |||||
| Spouse | Nefertari II | |||||
| Issue | Seti | |||||
| Egyptian name |
jmn ḥr ḫpš.f | |||||
| Dynasty | 19th of Egypt | |||||
| Father | Ramesses II | |||||
| Mother | Nefertari | |||||
| Religion | Ancient Egyptian religion | |||||
Name
editHe was born when his father was still a co-regent with Seti I. He was originally called Amun-her-wenemef ("Amun Is with His Right Arm"). He changed his name to Amun-her-khepeshef ("Amun Is with His Strong Arm") early in his father's reign.[1] He appears to have changed his name once again to Seth-her-khepeshef around Year 20 of Ramesses II.[1] Seth-her-khepeshef was formerly thought to be another son of Ramesses II.
Biography
editAmun-her-khepeshef was first in line to inherit the throne of Egypt from his father, Ramesses II's. He died before inheriting his father's titles 25 years into his father's rule.[2] Ramesses B, Ramesses II's second oldest son became the new crown prince. He also died before his father after another 25 years. Merenptah, the 13th son of Ramesses II's would eventually assume the throne after 67 years of reign.
Amun-her-khepeshef held several titles, including personal titles such as "Commander of the Troops", "Effective Confidant" and "Eldest Son of the King of his Body." Some other titles were shared between prominent princes, such as "Fan-bearer on the King's Right Hand" and "Royal Scribe". He held a high position in the army. According to some relief depictions, he and his younger half-brother Khaemwaset either fought or were at least present in the Battle of Kadesh and the campaigns in Nubia, along with their father. He appears on an inscription in the Temple of Beit el-Wali. Amun-her-khepeshef was involved in an exchange of diplomatic correspondence with the Hittites after Ramesses II and the Hittite king Muwatalli II signed their peace treaty following the battle of Kadesh.[1]
Statues and depictions of Amun-her-khepeshef appear in temples in Abu Simbel, Luxor, in the Ramesseum, and in Seti's Abydos. He is depicted alongside his father on the temple walls of Abydos, lassoing a bull together. He also appears on statues of Ramesses II.
Death
editAmun-her-khepeshef married Nefertari II. She was the daughter of Amun-her-khepeshef's father and also possibly the daughter of his mother, Queen Nefertari,[2] making his wife his own sister or half-sister. Together they bore a son called Seti. Amun-her-khepeshef died approximately 25 years into his father's reign.[3] Amun-her-khepeshef's half-brother Ramesses, the eldest son of a lesser wife called Isetnofret, became next in line. Amun-her-khepeshef was buried in tomb KV5, built for the sons of Ramesses II, in the Valley of the Kings. His interment was inspected in year 53 of his father's reign.[1]
Among the artefacts found in the tomb were canopic jars labeled with Amun-her-khepeshef's name, containing human organs, along with bones from four separate human males. These bones included a skull with a deep bone fracture, believed to have been caused by a mace.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d Aidan Dodson & Dyan Hilton, The Complete Royal Families of Ancient Egypt, Thames & Hudson (2004), p.170
- ^ a b Dodson & Hilton, p.173
- ^ "Anneke Bart: Ramesses II". Archived from the original on 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2006-11-06.
- ^ Boyle, Alan (12 January 2004). "A Pharaoh's firstborn son is resurrected". NBC News. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
