Merneptah was the thirteenth son of Ramesses II, only coming to power because all of his older brothers had died, including his full brother Khaemwaset or Khaemwase.
16 Facts About Merneptah
2.
Merneptah is arguably best known for his victory stele, featuring the first known mention of the name Israel.
3.
Merneptah was likely the fourth child born to Isetnofret I and Ramesses II, and his thirteenth son in total.
4.
Merneptah married Isetnofret II, who was likely his full sister or niece, and she would be his Great Royal Wife when he became pharaoh.
5.
Merneptah outlived many of his heirs and eventually Merneptah would be the son to succeed him.
6.
Merneptah would have been prepared to be pharaoh through the responsibility of his government roles.
7.
Merneptah had to carry out several military campaigns during his reign.
8.
Merneptah led a victorious six-hour battle against a combined Libyan and Sea People force at the city of Perire, probably located on the western edge of the Nile delta.
9.
Later in the inscription, Merneptah receives news of the attack:.
10.
Merneptah was already an elderly man in his late 60s, if not early 70s, when he assumed the throne.
11.
Merneptah moved the administrative center of Egypt from Piramesse, his father's capital, back to Memphis, where he constructed a royal palace next to the temple of Ptah.
12.
Merneptah's successor, Seti II, was a son of Queen Isetnofret.
13.
Merneptah suffered from arthritis and atherosclerosis and died as an old man after a reign that lasted for nearly a decade.
14.
Merneptah was originally buried within tomb KV8 in the Valley of the Kings, but his mummy was not found there.
15.
Merneptah's mummy was taken to Cairo and eventually unwrapped by G Elliott Smith on July 8,1907.
16.
Merneptah was almost completely bald, only a narrow fringe of white hair remaining on the temples and occiput.