Amenmesse The fifth pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egyptian pharaohs. Date of Birth: .

1. Amenmesse: Fifth Pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty
2. Southern Allegiance and Preference for Thebes
3. Devotion to Amon and Eradication of Merneptah's Legacy
4. Scant Remains and Limited Knowledge
5. Reign Duration and Chronology

Amenmesse: Fifth Pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty

Amenmesse ascended to the throne as the fifth pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty, succeeding Merneptah. His path to power was marked by the elimination of Merneptah's son, Seti Merneptah, who was likely destined to become Pharaoh Seti II. However, Amenmesse's reign was short-lived and unstable, and he was soon overthrown by Seti II and Queen Tausert.

Southern Allegiance and Preference for Thebes

Amenmesse's royal titulary, which included the name "Amon-mases-sa" (meaning "Amon, Who Begot Him"), clearly demonstrated his preference for the southern capital of Thebes and its patron god, Amon. He revived the title "Lord of Thebes," beloved by the pharaohs of the Eighteenth Dynasty, as a permanent epithet in his name.

Devotion to Amon and Eradication of Merneptah's Legacy

Amenmesse's devotion to Amon was evident in his systematic eradication of Merneptah I's name, who had favored the cult of Ptah. As a symbol of his allegiance, he adopted the title "Beloved of Amon" (Meriamon).

Scant Remains and Limited Knowledge

Despite his significant reign, very few monuments or artifacts from Amenmesse's time have survived. Consequently, our knowledge of him is limited to the striking and one-sided preference for Thebes and Amon expressed in his royal titulary.

Reign Duration and Chronology

According to the historian Manetho, Amenmesse's reign lasted for five years, providing a brief but significant chapter in the history of the Nineteenth Dynasty.