Khaemweset, the fourth son of Ramesses II and second child of his second great royal wife, Isis-Nefert, left a lasting mark on history.
- Family Background and Lineage of Khaemweset
- Khaemweset’s Early Training and Military Role
- Khaemweset’s Religious and Restoration Contributions
- Administrative Roles in Memphis
- The Cultural Legacy of Khaemweset
His contributions to restoring ancient monuments and preserving historical texts earned him the title of the “first Egyptologist.” He was buried in the Serapeum of Saqqara and later became a central figure in Egyptian literature as Setne-Khaemweset in the Setne cycle stories.
| Name in Hieroglyphs | Ḫˁ(w)-m-Wẃs.t |
| Born | Around 1284 BCE (possibly in Memphis) |
| Died | Around 1225/1224 BCE (Year 55 of Ramses II’s reign) |
| Period | New Kingdom |
| Dynasty | 19th Dynasty |
Family Background and Lineage of Khaemweset
Born around 1284 BCE, likely during the reign of his grandfather Seti I, Khaemweset belonged to the 19th Dynasty. He died at about 60 years old, in Year 55 of Ramses II’s reign.
As the second son of Isis-Nefert, Khaemweset was a sibling to the great royal wife Bentanat, the second prince Ramesses (once crown prince before Khaemweset assumed the role), and the thirteenth prince Merenptah, who later succeeded Ramesses II as pharaoh.
He fathered at least three children with an unnamed wife:
- Ramesses, his eldest son, assisted in his duties as High Priest of Ptah.
- Hori I, who followed in his father’s religious career, becoming High Priest of Ptah under Ramesses II.
Khaemweset’s Early Training and Military Role
Like other royal children of Ramesses II, Khaemweset received rigorous military training. Reliefs at the Beit el-Wali temple depict him accompanying his father on a campaign in Lower Nubia when he was about four years old.
While he was too young to participate, this symbolic presence highlighted his royal upbringing.
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During Ramesses II’s reign, Khaemwaset took part in several campaigns, including the famous Battle of Kadesh (Year 5) and the siege of Dapur (Year 8). By the Dapur campaign, he was approximately fifteen years old, though his role likely remained ceremonial.
Khaemwaset also attended the Kep school, designated for royal children. There, he honed his skills in writing, theology, and history, becoming known for his intellectual achievements and erudition.
Khaemweset’s Religious and Restoration Contributions
At about 20 years old, Khaemwaset became the Sem Priest of Ptah, overseeing the cult of the sacred Apis bulls. His tenure is marked by significant reforms in Apis bull burial practices.
In Year 30 of Ramesses II’s reign, he excavated the small gallery in the Saqqara Serapeum, creating separate burial chambers for each bull and constructing a temple for their funerary rites.
Khaemouaset’s passion extended to restoring Egypt’s monuments. Sites such as Giza, Saqqara, and Abusir benefited from his efforts. He meticulously inscribed the names of the original builders on restored monuments alongside his father’s name and decrees to ensure their preservation. One inscription reads:
“His Majesty decreed a proclamation: ‘It is the great Sem Priest, Prince Khaemwaset, who perpetuated the name of the king […]. The Sem Priest, Prince Khaemouaset, acted nobly, desiring to restore the monuments of the kings of Upper and Lower Egypt that were falling into ruin.’ He decreed sacred offerings [from] an estate and personnel.”
These efforts earned him recognition as the “first Egyptologist,” a title that reflects his dedication to Egypt’s heritage.
Administrative Roles in Memphis
In addition to his priestly duties, Khaemouaset managed significant administrative responsibilities in Memphis. While Ramesses II primarily resided in Pi-Ramesses, Khaemouaset announced five Heb Sed Festivals (celebrated in Years 30, 33/34, 36/37, 40, and 42). By Year 30, he became the “Great Overseer of Artisans,” further solidifying his role as High Priest of Ptah.
After his elder brother Ramesses’s death, Khaemouaset was named crown prince. Despite never ascending the throne, he remained a prominent figure until his death around Year 55 of Ramesses II’s reign.
He was interred in the Serapeum of Saqqara with an elaborate burial chamber, including a wooden sarcophagus, a gold mask, and numerous funerary artifacts.
The Cultural Legacy of Khaemweset
Khaemouaset’s legacy extends beyond his historical contributions. He is one of the most documented royal children of Ramesses II, with nearly 150 mentions in historical records. His life inspired the literary figure Setne, a magician who sought mystical secrets in the Setne cycle of Demotic stories.
This fictionalized version of Khaemouaset influenced storytelling traditions and modern interpretations.
In contemporary culture, Khaemouaset has appeared in novels, comics, and video games, emphasizing his enduring relevance as both a historical and cultural icon. His passion for preservation and exploration of Egypt’s past ensures his name remains celebrated as the “first Egyptologist”.
