Ramesses V

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Persondata
NAME	Ramesses V
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Also written Ramses and Rameses
SHORT DESCRIPTION	Pharaoh of Egypt
DATE OF BIRTH	{{{Birth}}}
PLACE OF BIRTH	Ancient Egypt
DATE OF DEATH	{{{Death}}}
PLACE OF DEATH	Ancient Egypt

Preceded by: Ramesses IV	Pharaoh of Egypt 20th Dynasty	Succeeded by: Ramesses VI
Ramesses V
Also written Ramses and Rameses
Father	Ramesses IV
Mother	Queen Tentopet
Died	1142 BC
Burial	KV9

Ramesses V (also written Ramses and Rameses) (reigned 1145 BC to 1141 BC) was the fourth pharaoh of the Twentieth dynasty of Egypt and is thought to be the son of Ramesses IV and Queen Tentopet.

His reign was characterized by the continued growth of the power of the priesthood of Amun, which controlled much of the temple land in the country and state finances at the expense of Pharaoh. The Turin 1887 papyrus records a financial scandal during his reign that involved the priests of Elephantine. A period of domestic instability also afflicted his reign since Turin Papyrus Cat. 2044 states that the workmen of Deir el-Medina periodically stopped work on Ramesses V's KV9 tomb in this king's first regnal year out of fear of "the enemy", presumably Libyan raiding parties, who had reached the town of Per-Nebyt and "burnt its people."^[1] Another incursion by these raiders into Thebes is recorded a few days later.^[2] This shows that the Egyptian state was having difficulties ensuring the security of its own elite tomb workers, let alone the general populace, during this troubled time.

The great Wilbour Papyrus, dating to Year 4 of his reign, was a major land survey and tax assessment document which covered various lands "extending from near Crocodilonpolis (Medinet el-Fayyum) southwards to a little short of the modern town of El-Minya, a distance of some 90 miles."^[3] It reveals most of Egypt's land was controlled by the Amun temples which also directed the country's finances. The document highlights the increasing power of the High Priest of Amun Ramessesnakht whose son, a certain Usimare'nakhte, held the ofice of chief tax master.

[edit] Death

The circumstances of Ramesses V's death are unknown. It is possible he was dethroned by his successor, Ramesses VI because Ramesses VI usurped his predecessor's KV9 tomb.^[4] An ostracon records that this king was only buried in Year 2 of Ramesses VI which was highly irregular since Egyptian tradition required a king to be be mummified and buried precisely 70 days into the reign of his successor.^[5] However, the reason for the much delayed burial of Ramesses V in Year 2, second month of Akhet day 1 of Ramesses VI's reign (see KRI, VI, 343) is most likely connected with Ramesses VI's need "to clear out any Libyans from Thebes and to provide a temporary tomb for Ramesses V until plans for a double burial within KV9 could be put into effect."^[6] Moreover, a Theban work journal (P. Turin 1923) dated to Year 2 of Ramesses VI's reign shows that a period of normality had returned to the Theban West Bank by this time.^[7]

Ramesses V's mummy has been recovered and seems to indicate that he suffered from smallpox due to lesions found on his face.^[8] A large head wound is evident including possible signs of cranal bleeding, which have led some scholars to speculate that Ramesses V may have died from a blow, caused by a sharp instrument, to the upper left portion of his head. The damage, however, could also have been caused by tomb robbers who attacked his body in order to steal his jewellry.

[edit] References