Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt
The Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt is classified as the second Dynasty of the Ancient Egyptian New Kingdom period, lasting from 1292 BC to 1189 BC. The 19th Dynasty and the 20th Dynasty furthermore together constitute an era known as the Ramesside period. This Dynasty was founded by Vizier Ramesses I, whom Pharaoh Horemheb chose as his successor to the throne.
History
Background
The warrior kings of the early 18th Dynasty had encountered only little resistance from neighbouring kingdoms, allowing them to expand their realm of influence easily, but the international situation had changed radically towards the end of the dynasty. The Hittites had gradually extended their influence into Syria and Canaan to become a major power in international politics, a power that both Seti I and his son Ramesses II would confront in the future.19th Dynasty
Seti and Ramesses II
New Kingdom Egypt reached the zenith of its power under Seti I and Ramesses II, who campaigned vigorously against the Libyans and the Hittites. The city of Kadesh was first captured by Seti I, who decided to concede it to Muwatalli of Hatti in an informal peace treaty between Egypt and Hatti. Ramesses II later attempted unsuccessfully to alter this situation in his fifth regnal year by launching an attack on Kadesh in his Second Syrian campaign in 1274 BC; he was caught in history's first recorded military ambush, but thanks to the arrival of the Ne'arin, Ramesses was able to rally his troops and turn the tide of battle against the Hittites. Ramesses II later profited from the Hittites' internal difficulties, during his eighth and ninth regnal years, when he campaigned against their Syrian possessions, capturing Kadesh and portions of Southern Syria, and advancing as far north as Tunip, where no Egyptian soldier had been seen for 120 years. He ultimately accepted that a campaign against the Hittites was an unsupportable drain on Egypt's treasury and military. In his 21st regnal year, Ramesses signed the earliest recorded peace treaty with Urhi-Teshub's successor, Hattusili III, and with that act Egypt-Hittite relations improved significantly. Ramesses II even married two Hittite princesses, the first after his second Sed Festival.Merneptah
This dynasty declined as infighting for the throne between the heirs of Merneptah increased. Amenmesse apparently usurped the throne from Merneptah's son and successor, Seti II, but he ruled Egypt for only four years. After his death, Seti regained power and destroyed most of Amenmesse's monuments. Seti was served at court by Chancellor Bay, who was originally just a 'royal scribe' but quickly became one of the most powerful men in Egypt, gaining the unprecedented privilege of constructing his own tomb in the Valley of the Kings. Both Bay and Seti's chief wife, Twosret, had a sinister reputation in Ancient Egyptian folklore. After Siptah's death, Twosret ruled Egypt for two more years, but she proved unable to maintain her hold on power amid the conspiracies and powerplays being hatched at the royal court. She was likely ousted in a revolt led by Setnakhte, founder of the 20th Dynasty.Pharaohs of the 19th Dynasty
The pharaohs of the 19th Dynasty ruled for approximately 110 years: from c. 1292 to 1187 BC. Many of the pharaohs were buried in the Valley of the Kings in Thebes. More information can be found on the Theban Mapping Project website.| Pharaoh | Image | Throne Name / Prenomen | Reign | Burial | Consort |
| Ramesses I | Menpehtyre | 1292–1290 BC | KV16 | Sitre | |
| Seti I | Menmaatre | 1290–1279 BC | KV17 | Tuya | |
| Ramesses II | Usermaatre Setepenre | 1279–1213 BC | KV7 | Nefertari Isetnofret Maathorneferure Meritamen Bintanath Nebettawy Henutmire | |
| Merneptah | Baenre Merynetjeru | 1213–1203 BC | KV8 | Isetnofret II Takhat? | |
| Seti II | Userkheperure Setepenre | 1203–1197 BC | KV15 | Takhat? Twosret Tiaa | |
| Amenmesse | Menmire Setepenre | 1201–1198 BC | KV10 | Unknown | |
| Siptah | Sekhaienre Meryamun, later Akhenre Setepenre | 1197–1191 BC | KV47 | Unknown | |
| Twosret | Sitre Meryamun | 1191–1189 BC | KV14 | None |
Timeline of the 19th Dynasty
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Period = from:-1292 till:-1170
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from: -1292 till: -1290 color:PA text:"Ramesses I "
from: -1290 till: -1279 color:PA text:"Seti I "
from: -1279 till: -1213 color:PA text:"Ramesses II "
from: -1213 till: -1203 color:PA text:"Merneptah "
from: -1203 till: -1199 color:PA text:"Amenmesse "
from: -1203 till: -1197 color:PA text:"Seti II "
from: -1197 till: -1191 color:PA text:"Siptah "
from: -1191 till: -1189 color:PA text:"Twosret "
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