Ramesses

Ramesses (sometimes referred as Ramesses B) was an ancient Egyptian crown prince during the 19th Dynasty.

Family

Ramesses was the eldest son of Ramesses II and Queen Isetnofret, and the second son overall after Amunherkhepeshef, the eldest son of the Great Royal Wife Nefertari. Born during the reign of his grandfather Seti I, he had at least one sister and two brothers. His sister Bintanath was elevated to the position of Great Royal Wife later in the reign of Ramesses II and played an important role at court. A possible sister named Isetnofret may have married her brother Merneptah and been his queen, however, it is possible that Merneptah's queen was his niece, not his sister. It is also possible that she was the daughter of his vizier. His known younger brothers are Khaemwaset and Merneptah. Ramesses is listed on several monuments with his younger brothers Khaemwaset and Merenptah. He appears as the second prince in the list of procession of Ramesses' sons in Luxor and Abu Simbel.

Life Aswan Rockstela. Top: Ramesses II, Isetnofret and Khaemwaset before Khnum. Bottom left to right: Merneptah, Bintanath and Prince Ramesses

He is attested in numerous inscriptions including the Egyptian 'triumph' scenes after the Battle of Kadesh.

Although Ramesses’ military honors were not as distinguished as those of the third prince, Pareherwenemef, he nevertheless achieved great distinction in the military. Unlike Crown Prince Amunherkhepeshef—who was the focus of special expectations and frequently depicted symbolically in battle scenes but is thought rarely to have actually participated in combat—Ramesses, together with other elder princes, actively demonstrated their abilities in military affairs.

Ramesses is depicted as just one of two princes depicted by the colossi of Ramesses II in front of the Great Temple at Abu Simbel. He appears in front of the colossus to the north of the entrance. Prince Ramesses is said to be the Royal Scribe and first Generalissimo of His Majesty, Bodily King's Son (of his body).

After the war years came to an end, Prince Ramesses II disappeared from official art. He no longer appeared in the pharaoh's artistic works. Of particular note is that in the official depictions of the Sed festivals held in the pharaoh's 30th, 37th, and 40th regnal years, only the pharaoh and Khaemwaset are shown, with no sign of Ramesses, despite his position as crown prince at the time. From that point on, his existence is attested almost entirely through the works of his brother Khaemwaset. Information about his title as crown prince and the time of his death both derive from Khaemwaset's records.

His full brother Khaemwaset succeeded him to become Egypt's new crown-prince in his place. Khaemwaset was the fourth son of Ramesses II; the third, Pareherwenemef died earlier.