Ramesses III

Ramesses III
Ramses III, Rameses III
Relief from the sanctuary of the Temple of Khonsu at Karnak depicting Ramesses III
Pharaoh
Pharaoh
Reign	32 regnal years 1186–1155 BC
Predecessor	Setnakhte
Successor	Ramesses IV
Royal titulary Horus name Kanakht Aanisut K3-nḫt-ˁ3-nsyt Strong bull, whose royalty is great Nebty name Werhabused mi Tatenen Wr-ḥˁb.w-sd-mj-T3-ṯnn Great of Hebsed like Ptah-Tatenen Golden Horus Userrenput mi Atum Wsr-rnp.wt-mj-Jtm The golden falcon, rich in years like Atum Prenomen  (Praenomen) Usermaatre Meriamun Wsr-m3ˁt-Rˁ-mrj-Jmn Strong is the Maat of Ra, beloved of Amun Nomen Ramesisu Heqaiunu Rˁ msj sw ḥq3 Jwnw Ra has fashioned him, ruler of Heliopolis
Consort	Tyti, Isis Ta-Hemdjert, Tiye
Children	By Tyti: Amenherkhepeshef Ramesses IV Meryamun By Isis Ta-Hemdjert: Pareherwenemef Ramesses VI Montuherkhopshef By Tiye: Khaemwaset Pentawere Meryatum Ramesses VIII Duatentopet (only daughter)
Father	Setnakhte
Mother	Tiy-Merenese
Born	1217 BC
Died	1155 BC (aged 61-62)
Burial	KV11; Mummy found in the Deir el-Bahri royal cache (Theban Necropolis)
Monuments	Medinet Habu
Dynasty	20th Dynasty

Usermaatre Meryamun Ramesses III was the second Pharaoh of the Twentieth Dynasty in Ancient Egypt. Some scholars date his reign from 26 March 1186 to 15 April 1155 BC, and he is considered the last pharaoh of the New Kingdom to have wielded substantial power.

His long reign saw the decline of Egyptian political and economic power, linked to a series of invasions and internal economic problems that also plagued pharaohs before him. This coincided with a decline in the cultural sphere of Ancient Egypt.^[1]

However, his successful defense was able to slow down the decline, although it still meant that his successors would have a weaker military. He has also been described as a "warrior Pharaoh" due to his strong military strategies. He led the way by defeating the invaders known as "the Sea Peoples", who had caused destruction in other civilizations and empires. He was able to save Egypt from collapsing at the time when many other empires fell during the Late Bronze Age; however, the damage of the invasions took a toll on Egypt.^[2]

Rameses III constructed one of the largest mortuary temples of western Thebes, now called Medinet Habu.^[3] He was assassinated in the Harem conspiracy led by his secondary wife Tiye and her eldest son Pentawere. This would ultimately cause a succession crisis which would further accelerate the decline of Ancient Egypt. He was succeeded by his son and designated successor Ramesses IV, although many of his other sons would rule later.