Ramesses I
(Menpehtyre)
1295-1294 B.C.
19th Dynasty
The first king of the 19th Dynasty was the son of a military commander named Seti. Ramesses
entered the military service and worked his way up to commander of troops, superintendent of
the cavalry and eventually general. A short time later he became vizier to King Horemheb. He
was also Primate of Egypt, which was the high priest of Amon, and was in charge of all the
temples in Egypt. Horemheb died with no heir so Ramesses assumed the throne. His queen,
Sitre, was the mother of Seti I, who was already a veteran military commander. Ramesses
was originally buried in the Valley of the Kings. His tomb was later vandalized so the priests
removed the body to Deir el Bahri.
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