Nov 3 Pharaoh Ramesses III
\nFacts of the Case: Assassination of Pharaoh Ramesses III (c. 1186&ndash\;1155 BCE\, 20th Dynasty).
\nVictim
:
Pharaoh Usermaatre Meryamun Ramesses III\, ruler of Egypt
for approximately 31 years. He is often regarded as the last great pharaoh
of the New Kingdom\, known for military campaigns against the Sea Peoples
and Libyans\, extensive building projects (including his mortuary temple
at Medinet Habu)\, and economic challenges toward the end of his reign.
Date: Day 15 of Month 2 of Shemu (approximately Nov ember/December)\, 1155 BCE\, during the 32nd year of his reign.
\nLocation: Likely within the royal harem in the Western Towe
r (or Eastern High Gate) at Medinet Habu\, his mortuary temple complex nea
r Thebes\, during a celebration or festival.
Cause of Deat
h (Forensic Evidence)
Modern CT scans (2012\, led by Zahi Ha
wass and team) of Ramesses III&rsquo\;s mummy revealed a deep\, sharp-forc
e wound to the throat\, approximately 7 cm wide\, cutting to the bone (cer
vical vertebrae 5&ndash\;7). It severed the trachea\, esophagus\, and majo
r blood vessels\, which would have been rapidly or instantly fatal.
E
mbalmers placed a Horus eye amulet (associated with healing) into the woun
d and wrapped the neck heavily in linen\, suggesting an attempt to rituall
y "heal" or conceal the injury in the afterlife.
No evidence supports
earlier theories like poisoning or snakebite\; the wound is consistent wi
th a blade attack.
The Conspiracy (Harem Conspiracy)
\nInstigator: Secondary wife Queen Tiye (Tiy)\,
who sought to place her son\, Prince Pentawere (Pentaweret)\, on the thro
ne instead of the designated heir (Ramesses IV\, son of a senior wife).
Key Conspirators: Included high-ranking officials such as Pebekkamen (c
hief of the chamber)\, royal butlers\, treasury overseers\, army standard-
bearers\, scribes\, a herald\, and other harem women and palace staff. Mag
ic (wax figures\, spells) and possible poison were reportedly used alongsi
de the physical attack.
The plot involved inciting rebellion to overt
hrow Ramesses III and install Pentawere. It succeeded in killing the phara
oh but failed to seize the throne.
Aftermath and Trials
Ramesses IV (the designated heir) ascended the throne. A separ
ate mummy (the "screaming man" or "Unknown Man E\," found with Ramesses II
I) shares DNA with him and is believed to be Pentawere\, possibly who was
forced to suicide or otherwise punished.
Judicial Proceedi
ngs: Documented in the Judicial Papyrus of Turin (and related pap
yri like Lee and Rollin). A special court of 14 officials was appointed. A
pproximately 38&ndash\;40 people were tried across multiple proceedings. M
any received death sentences but were "allowed" to take their own lives (t
o avoid direct royal execution of elites). Punishments included execution\
, mutilation\, or suicide.
The papyri do not explicitly state the pha
raoh&rsquo\;s death (a cultural reticence around regicide)\, but the succe
ssion record and mummy evidence confirm it occurred.
Sourc
es
Primary: Judicial Papyrus of Turin (Muse
o Egizio) and related judicial texts. Forensic: 2012 CT scan and DNA study
published in the BMJ.
This remains one of the best-documented ass assinations from antiquity&mdash\;palace intrigue\, a successful hit\, fai led coup\, and swift justice. \;
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