Ramesses III

Ramesses III is often called "The Last Great Pharaoh." Ruling for 31 years during the 20th Dynasty, he successfully defended Egypt against massive foreign invasions during a time when other civilizations in the Mediterranean were collapsing. He consciously modeled himself on Ramesses the Great to revive the glory of the past.

Throne Name	Usermaatre-Meryamun ("Powerful is the Justice of Ra, Beloved of Amun")
Dynasty	20th Dynasty (Late New Kingdom)
Reign	c. 1186–1155 BCE (Approx. 31 Years)
Capital	Pi-Ramesses & Memphis

Ramesses III is crucial to history because he preserved Egypt during the "Bronze Age Collapse," a period of global catastrophe that saw the fall of the Hittite Empire and the Mycenaean civilization. He fought off three massive invasions, built massive temples, and left behind exceptionally detailed records of his battles.

In Years 5 and 11 of his reign, Ramesses III faced massive coalitions of Libyan tribes attempting to settle in the fertile Nile Delta. He defeated them decisively in both campaigns, capturing thousands of prisoners and branding them to serve in the Egyptian military, proving that Egypt was still capable of defending its borders.

His mortuary temple at Medinet Habu is one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. Built like a fortress with massive mudbrick walls, it served as both a religious center and an administrative stronghold. Its walls are covered with deep reliefs depicting his battles, providing a "living chronicle" of the era.

Despite his military victories, the cost of defense was high. Egypt suffered from inflation and grain shortages. In the 29th year of his reign, the workers at Deir el-Medina (who built the royal tombs) staged the first recorded labor strike in history when their rations were delayed, signaling the cracking of the social order.

Ramesses III's life ended in tragedy. A plot known as the "Harem Conspiracy," led by a secondary wife named Tiye who wanted her son on the throne, resulted in an assassination attempt. While the plotters were caught and tried (as recorded in the Judicial Papyrus of Turin), modern CT scans confirm the king's throat was cut, indicating the attack was likely fatal.

Ramesses III was buried in KV11 in the Valley of the Kings. His mummy reveals the grim reality of his death: a deep slash across the throat, hidden for centuries by bandages. An amulet of the Eye of Horus was placed in the wound by embalmers to magically heal him in the afterlife.

After his death, he was succeeded by Ramesses IV. However, the power of the pharaohs began to wane rapidly. The priesthood of Amun grew stronger, the economy weakened, and Egypt lost its influence in Canaan. Ramesses III was truly the last great figure before the long decline of the New Kingdom.