About

Seti II (or Sethos II) was the fifth pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt  and reigned from c. 1203 BC to 1197 BC. His throne name. Userkheperure Setepenre, means “Powerful are the manifestations of Re, the chosen one of Re.” He was the son of Merenptah  and Isetnofret II and sat on the throne during a period known for dynastic intrigue and short reigns, and his rule was no different. Seti II had to deal with many serious plots. Most significantly the accession of a rival king named Amenmesse , possibly a half brother. Who seized control over Thebes and Nubia in Upper Egypt during his second to fourth regnal years.

Contest for the throne

Evidence that Amenmesse was a direct contemporary with Seti II’s rule—rather than Seti II’s immediate predecessor—includes the fact that Seti II’s royal KV15 tomb at Thebes was deliberately vandalised with many of Seti’s royal names being carefully erased here during his reign. The erasures were subsequently repaired by Seti II’s agents.

Mummy

In 1980, James Harris and Edward F.Wente conducted a series of X-ray examinations on New Kingdom Pharaohs crania and skeletal remains, which included the mummified remains of Seti II. The analysis in general found strong similarities. Between the New Kingdom rulers of the 19th Dynasty and 20th Dynasty .With Meslothic Nubian samples. The authors also noted affinities with modern Mediterranean populations of Levantine origin. Harris and Wente suggested this represented admixture as the Rammessides were of northern origin.

In April 2021 his mummy was moved from the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization along with those of 17 other kings and 4 queens in an event termed the Pharoahs’ Golden Parade.