Pharaoh Seti II, successor of Merenptah and son of the legendary Ramses II, belongs to the 19th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt. Although his reign was relatively short, between four to six years, Seti II left important traces in Egyptian history.
Ascension to the throne
Seti II ascended the throne after the death of his father Merenptah. Due to his grandfather's exceptionally long lifespan Ramses II, Seti II acceded to the throne at an advanced age, which is partly responsible for the brevity of his reign.
Reign and challenge of authority
The reign of Seti II was not a long calm river. He was marked by challenges to his authority. One of these notable challenges was that of a certain Amenmesse, who seems to have claimed part of the reign of Seti II, which has created some confusion in Egyptian historiography.
Architectural contribution
Despite the brevity of his reign, Seti II contributed to Egyptian architecture. He is best known for his tomb (KV15) in the Valley of the Kings, an impressive and beautifully decorated structure, illustrating the importance given to the afterlife in ancient Egypt.
Archaeological research
Archaeological studies have provided valuable insight into the reign of Seti II. In 1903, the famous Egyptologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Seti II in the Valley of the Kings. This discovery established much of what we know about this pharaoh today.
The tomb was almost intact and contained a rich set of funerary objects, including a red quartzite sarcophagus, canopic jars, statues and utensils of daily life. These artifacts have shed more light on the life and reign of Seti II.
📋 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 | ||