Seti I was the second Pharaoh of the 19th dynasty, inheriting the throne from his father, Ramesses I, who ruled for only two years. As one of the founding rulers of a new dynasty, a major part of Seti I’s role was to prove that his bloodline were worthy of ruling the Egyptian empire. During his reign of approximately 14 years, Seti I led numerous successful military campaigns,
extending Egypt’s empire significantly. At the same time, he conducted an impressive building program, the quality of which is arguably the most revered in all of Ancient Egypt. Seti I’s reign is generally viewed as incredibly successful in restoring Egypt’s influence and a time when Egyptian art and culture flourished.
extending Egypt’s empire significantly. At the same time, he conducted an impressive building program, the quality of which is arguably the most revered in all of Ancient Egypt. Seti I’s reign is generally viewed as incredibly successful in restoring Egypt’s influence and a time when Egyptian art and culture flourished.
General Information about Seti I
Chronology of New Kingdom Pharaohs.
-Seti I was the son of Ramses I and Queen Sitre. His family had a military background. Their appointment to 'Royal Family' proves the growing
power and influence of the military.
-As Seti I was already a grown man when his father took the throne he was able to provide great assistance particularly in military affairs as Crown Prince, Bassier and Chief Commander. An inscription from Seti’s
memorial chapel at Abydos reveals the influential role which Seti held whilst his father was Pharaoh.
“While he was very Re effulgent, I was with him like a star at his side.”
-To ensure that his son would inherit the throne, Rameses I appointed Seti I as his co-regent when his health began to deteriorate. This joint rule was short lived as Rameses I died soon after.
-The dates for which Seti I held the throne are uncertain and various years have been suggested by different historians:
Sir Alan Gardiner ('Egypt of the Pharaohs'): 1309-1291BC
Steindorff and Seele ('When Egypt ruled the East'): 1318-1299BC
Wilson ('The Culture of Ancient Egypt') : 1302-1290BC
-When he was appointed Pharaoh Seti took the name ‘Men-ma-re’ and accredited to himself a number of epithets including his Horus name, ‘Repeater of Births’- signifying the beginning of a new era of Egypt’s greatness and ‘Merenptah’ which translates to ‘Beloved of Ptah’ and reveals his preference for the Memphite god Ptah over Amun.
power and influence of the military.
-As Seti I was already a grown man when his father took the throne he was able to provide great assistance particularly in military affairs as Crown Prince, Bassier and Chief Commander. An inscription from Seti’s
memorial chapel at Abydos reveals the influential role which Seti held whilst his father was Pharaoh.
“While he was very Re effulgent, I was with him like a star at his side.”
-To ensure that his son would inherit the throne, Rameses I appointed Seti I as his co-regent when his health began to deteriorate. This joint rule was short lived as Rameses I died soon after.
-The dates for which Seti I held the throne are uncertain and various years have been suggested by different historians:
Sir Alan Gardiner ('Egypt of the Pharaohs'): 1309-1291BC
Steindorff and Seele ('When Egypt ruled the East'): 1318-1299BC
Wilson ('The Culture of Ancient Egypt') : 1302-1290BC
-When he was appointed Pharaoh Seti took the name ‘Men-ma-re’ and accredited to himself a number of epithets including his Horus name, ‘Repeater of Births’- signifying the beginning of a new era of Egypt’s greatness and ‘Merenptah’ which translates to ‘Beloved of Ptah’ and reveals his preference for the Memphite god Ptah over Amun.