Nepedia
Back to Discover
Advanced Reader
📖

Ramesses VI

society Maturity 7-9 Next article →

Ramesses VI Nebmaatre-Meryamun was a pharaoh of Egypt's Twentieth Dynasty.

Ramesses Vi closeup
Ramesses Vi closeup

He ruled during the mid-to-late 12th century BC. His reign lasted approximately eight full years. He was the son of Ramesses III and Queen Iset Ta-Hemdjert. Before he became king, he was a prince named Amenherkhepshef. He held several high-ranking titles during his youth. These included royal scribe and cavalry general. His life provides a window into a period of transition for Egypt.

SFEC-2010-MEDINET HABU-Amonherkhepeshef II
SFEC-2010-MEDINET HABU-Amonherkhepeshef II

Ramesses VI ascended to the throne following the death of Ramesses V. Ramesses V was the son of Ramesses VI's older brother, Ramesses IV. The transition of power occurred around the mid-12th century BC. Historians use various methods to date his specific years of rule. Some suggest he reigned from 1156 BC to 1149 BC. Other scholars provide slightly different dates, such as 1145–1137 BC. The Turin Papyrus 1907+1908 helps clarify this timeline. This document covers his fifth year through the seventh year of his successor. It suggests he died shortly into his ninth regnal year.

Ramesses Vi closeup
Ramesses Vi closeup

During his early reign, the king faced significant instability in Upper Egypt. The region experienced raids from Libyan or Egyptian marauders. In his first year, workmen at Deir el-Bahari could not work. This was due to the presence of an unnamed "enemy" nearby. This group may have been Libyan Meshwesh or Libu tribes. It could also have been Egyptian bandits. Some experts even suggested a civil war was occurring. Ramesses VI likely led military campaigns to restore order.

Statue of Ramesses VI with a Libyan captive 2022
Statue of Ramesses VI with a Libyan captive 2022

A statue from Karnak shows him holding a bound Libyan captive. This image was used to demonstrate his strength and control.

Egypt faced economic challenges during this period of unrest. The empire lost control of its last strongholds in Canaan. While occupation in Nubia continued, the loss of Asiatic territories was costly. These losses strained the weakening Egyptian economy. This led to increased prices for goods. Because funding for construction was difficult, Ramesses VI took specific actions. He practiced usurpation on many monuments. This means he engraved his own cartouches over those of his ancestors. He claimed to have covered the land with great monuments in his name. He wished to appear as a great pharaoh despite the decline.

Buste Ramsès VI mutilé
Buste Ramsès VI mutilé

Ramesses VI was a prolific builder with specific architectural goals. He took over the tomb known as KV9 in the Valley of the Kings. This tomb had been planned for his predecessor, Ramesses V. The king enlarged the space and added new decorations. Interestingly, the craftsmen's huts near the KV9 entrance had a side effect. They covered the entrance to Tutankhamun's tomb. This accidental covering protected Tutankhamun from tomb robbers for many years. Ramesses VI may have also planned six other tombs in the Valley of the Queens. However, none of those additional tombs are known to exist today.

Ramesses Vi closeup
Ramesses Vi closeup

Family connections played a major role in his life and legacy. He was married to Queen Nubkhesbed. They had at least four children. These included Prince Amenherkhepshef, Prince Panebenkemyt, Prince Ramesses Itamun, and Princess Iset. Ramesses VII, his son, succeeded him on the throne. His daughter, Iset, held the prestigious role of Divine Adoratrice of Amun.

Day 28 - Stela of Isis, Daughter of Ramesses VI (8227377483)
Day 28 - Stela of Isis, Daughter of Ramesses VI (8227377483)

This role was a religious position of great importance. The high-priest of Amun, Ramessesnakht, turned Thebes into a religious capital. This created a second center of power alongside the royal residence at Pi-Ramesses. This shift in power occurred even as the pharaoh's central authority waned.

We know much about the king through modern archaeology. Ramesses VI died in his forties during his eighth or ninth year. His mummy remained in his tomb for less than twenty years. After that, pillagers damaged his remains. The mummy was eventually moved to tomb KV35. In 1898, the Egyptologist Victor Loret discovered the body.

Ramses VI mummy head
Ramses VI mummy head

Today, his mummy is kept in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.

Smashed sarcophagus of Ramesses VI in 2023
Smashed sarcophagus of Ramesses VI in 2023

His life helps historians understand how leaders managed a declining empire. He represents a king trying to maintain glory during an age of change.

673 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

🖼️ Images & Media (9)
File:SFEC-2010-MEDINET HABU-Amonherkhepeshef II.jpg
SFEC-2010-MEDINET HABU-Amonherkhepeshef II.jpg
File:Day 28 - Stela of Isis, Daughter of Ramesses VI (8227377483).jpg
Day 28 - Stela of Isis, Daughter of...
File:Statue of Ramesses VI with a Libyan captive 2022.jpg
Statue of Ramesses VI with a Libyan...
File:Ramesses Vi closeup.jpg
Ramesses Vi closeup.jpg
File:Ramessesnakht Theban Triad Statue 2012.jpg
Ramessesnakht Theban Triad Statue 2012.jpg
File:Buste Ramsès VI mutilé.JPG
Buste Ramsès VI mutilé.JPG
File:Ramses VI mummy head.png
Ramses VI mummy head.png
File:Smashed sarcophagus of Ramesses VI in 2023.jpg
Smashed sarcophagus of Ramesses VI in 2023.jpg
File:Tumba de Ramsés V y de Ramsés VI, Valle de las Reyes, Luxor, Egipto, 2022-04-03, DD 69.jpg
Tumba de Ramsés V y de Ramsés VI, Valle...
More to explore

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.