Ramses VIII, of the XXe dynasty, is a pharaoh whose reign is poorly known due to the scarcity of documents and inscriptions mentioning him. He reigned during a troubled period, when internal and external tensions weakened Egypt.
Ascension to the throne
Ramses VIII, by his birth name Sethherkhepeshef Meryamun, was probably the son of Ramesses III or another pharaoh of the XXe dynasty. The details of his ascension to the throne are unclear, but it is possible that he succeeded Ramses VII.
The reign
Ramesses VIII's reign was brief, probably lasting about a year. Records of his reign are sparse, making it difficult to reconstruct his history. However, a few artifacts have been discovered, including scarabs and inscriptions on statues.
Internal and external issues
During the time of Ramesses VIII, Egypt was plagued with economic, political and social problems. The priests of Thebes had acquired considerable power, undermining the authority of the pharaoh. Internal tensions and conflicts between different factions in the country were common. Moreover, the invasions of the Peoples of the Sea and the incursions of the Libyans further weakened Egypt.
The Royal family
Information about Ramses VIII's family is scarce. His wife is not known, although it is possible that he was married to a princess of the XXe dynasty. It is also uncertain if he had any children, especially heirs to the throne.
Posterity and end of the reign
The end of the reign of Ramesses VIII is just as mysterious as its beginning. It is not known how or why he died, or who succeeded him. It's possible that Ramesses IX succeeded him, although the details of this succession are also uncertain.
In conclusion, Ramses VIII is an enigmatic pharaoh whose reign was short and poorly documented. Her story is an example of the challenges researchers face when trying to piece together the history of ancient Egypt, especially during troubled and unstable times.
📋 LIST OF EGYPTIAN SOVEREIGNS 📋
Hotepsekhemwey / Sneferka / Nebra / ninetjer / Senedj / Noubnefer / Horus Ba / Peribsen / Sekhemib / Khasekhemwy / Neferkasokar / | |||
Djoser / Sanakht / Sekhemkhet / Spoon / Huni | |||
Sekhemre-Khutaouy Amenemhat-/Sobekhotep I/Sekhemkare Amenemhat-Senbef/Sekhemkare Amenemhat V/Ameny-Qemaou/Hotepibre Qémaou-Sa-Hornejhéritef/Ioufeni/Séânkhibrê Amény-Antef-Amenemhat (or Amenemhat VI)/Semenkarê Nebnoun/Sehotepibrê Sousekhtaouy | |||
Sekhaenre Yakbim/Nebuuserre Yaammou/Khauserre Qareh | |||
Semqen/Aper-Anat/Sakir-Har/Khyan/Apophis I/Apophis II?/Khamoudy | |||
/Sekhemre-Sementaouy Djehouty/Sekhemre-Sousertaouy Sobekhotep VIII | |||
Twenty-first dynasty | |||
Twenty-second dynasty | |||
Twenty-third dynasty | |||
Twenty-fourth dynasty | |||
1st Persian Dynasty | |||
Thirty-first dynasty (Achaemenid) | 2nd Persian Dynasty | ||