Pharaoh Merneptah
19th Dynasty - The Pharaohs - The People“Beloved of Ptah, Joyous is Truth”, The Soul of Re, Beloved of the Gods”
Son of the Infamous Pharaoh Ramses II and Grandson of Pharaoh Seti I

Parents: Pharaoh Ramses II, also known as Ramses the Great, and his secondary queen, Queen Isetnofret I. to learn more about his mother, Queen Isetnofret I, click here.
Reign: Approximately 1213 to 1204 BC
Consort/s: Great Royal Wife, Queen Isetnofret II as well as other Minor Wives
Children: At the very least the male children: future Pharaoh Seti II, Prince Merenptah and Prince Khaemwaset, and at the very least the female child: Princess Isetnofret
Buried: Approximately 1204 BC

Crown Prince Merneptah was the 13th son in line for the Throne, but due to the longevity of his father, Pharaoh Ramses II, the 12 older brothers of Merneptah died before their father, making Merneptah heir. To learn more about his father, Pharaoh Ramses II, click here.
Merneptah became Pharaoh when he was nearly 60 years old himself. He was already married to Princess Isetnofret before he reached the Throne. She was the daughter of Pharaoh Ramses II and Queen Isetnofret I and was therefore the full sister of her husband. Together they had at least 3 male children of their own, namely, future Pharaoh Seti II, Prince Merenptah and Prince Khaemwaset.
Life before becoming Pharaoh
Due to being 13th inline for the Throne, little is known about Prince Merneptah until he was approximately 40 years old when he was made Head of the Army. This event is recorded as occurring about 12 years before the death of his father, Pharaoh Ramses II.
It is recorded that he became Crown Prince and heir when he was approximately 48 years old, in Pharaoh Ramses’ 55th Regnal Year and 88th birth year. It could be considered that Pharaoh and his Crown Prince would have worked very closely at this point, mainly due to Pharaoh’s advancing age and ongoing health complications at this juncture.

