Role as Pharaoh- Ruler of Egypt
“As a stranger from the extreme north and with no royal lineage behind him, Sethos (Seti I) ran a serious risk of being viewed as an upstart.” – Sir Alan Gardiner
Seti I’s role was first and foremost leader of Egypt which brought with it an enormous amount of responsibility and power. This role is of particular significance to Seti I because he had to justify his claim to the throne as a founding member of a new dynasty. This pressure to prove himself could explain his eagerness to embark on major military campaigns early in his reign and conduct an extensive building program.
Through numerous depictions in art, Seti I linked himself to previous rulers, particularly the great Pharaohs of the 18th dynasty, and separated himself from the likes of Akhenaten- 'The Heretic King', whose revolutionary rule was hastily concealed by his successors. This is particularly clear in a list of Egyptian pharaohs carved on the inner walls of Seti I’s temple at Abydos, one of the most famous sources from Ancient Egypt. Seventy five of Seti I’s ancestors are recorded on this list in the form of their cartouche, with his own repeated a total of 19 times along the bottom row. The names that are present appear to be in chronological order, however among them large periods of time are omitted from the record. There is no mention of the pharaoh's from Akhenaten to Ay. It can be assumed that this is because Seti disapproved of these Pharaoh's and their ideas. Therefore, it appears that Seti included himself in a list with Pharaohs he wished to be likened to and associated with.
Through numerous depictions in art, Seti I linked himself to previous rulers, particularly the great Pharaohs of the 18th dynasty, and separated himself from the likes of Akhenaten- 'The Heretic King', whose revolutionary rule was hastily concealed by his successors. This is particularly clear in a list of Egyptian pharaohs carved on the inner walls of Seti I’s temple at Abydos, one of the most famous sources from Ancient Egypt. Seventy five of Seti I’s ancestors are recorded on this list in the form of their cartouche, with his own repeated a total of 19 times along the bottom row. The names that are present appear to be in chronological order, however among them large periods of time are omitted from the record. There is no mention of the pharaoh's from Akhenaten to Ay. It can be assumed that this is because Seti disapproved of these Pharaoh's and their ideas. Therefore, it appears that Seti included himself in a list with Pharaohs he wished to be likened to and associated with.
Seti's position as pharaoh was verified by the four titles which he gave himself upon ascending the throne, as was tradition for all Egyptian Pharaohs.
Throne Name: Men-maat-re, 'Eternal is the Justice of Re'
Golden Horus Name and epithet: 'Renewing Appearances, Mighty of Archers in All Lands.'
Two Goddesses Name: 'Repeater of Births, Strong Armed, Subduing the Nine Bows'
Horus Name: 'Strong Bull, Appearing in the West, Causing the Two Lands to Live.'
Throne Name: Men-maat-re, 'Eternal is the Justice of Re'
Golden Horus Name and epithet: 'Renewing Appearances, Mighty of Archers in All Lands.'
Two Goddesses Name: 'Repeater of Births, Strong Armed, Subduing the Nine Bows'
Horus Name: 'Strong Bull, Appearing in the West, Causing the Two Lands to Live.'