King Horemheb
Family
In 1321 BC, Horemheb proclaimed himself king, wed Nefertiti’s sister, and immediately set out to eradicate all evidence of Tutankhamun and the heretical Aten cult that his presumed father Akhenaten had started. King Horemheb came from no royal lineage.
King Horemheb Achievements
Also, he took the priests of Amun from the ranks of the army, where he still had a lot of power, and reopened all the old temples. In order to lessen the likelihood of a counter-coup against his rule. He also divided the army into a northern and a southern command.
Even the monuments to Ay and Tutankhamun were take over by him, and he completely destroyed the Aten temples. Which he detested. He gained control of the Ay funerary temple and started counting his reign from Amenhotep III’s passing (one of the most successful, prosperous and stable Pharaohs 1386 – 1349 BC).
Reign of king Horemheb
The final Egyptian pharaoh of the 18th dynasty was Horemheb, who ruled from 1320 to 1292 BCE. He goes by the names Dejserkheprure and Horemhab as well. He was from the lower classes of Egyptian society. His name means “Horus is in Festival.” He rose through the ranks of the army to become commander-in-chief before becoming pharaoh.
Little is know about his early years. Although it appears that he first worked for Amenhotep III before moving on to work for Akhenaten. Historiographers first became aware of him during the reign of Tutankhamun, when he and the vizier Ay served as the young king’s advisors.
Ay replaced Tutankhamun, and after his passing, Horemheb ascended to the throne. At that time, he launched a nationwide drive to obliterate the names of his immediate predecessors from history and revive the country, which had fallen on hard times under Akhenaten’s administration. Although he is usually regarded as a nice pharaoh, one’s opinion of Akhenaten’s reign and Horemheb’s response to it will determine whether they perceive him as a hero or villain.
Horemheb’s Legacy
Horemheb was honoured for coming from a lowly background. He genuinely moved up the ladder. He built a career as a military official that earned him the respect and adoration of his king and people.
Horemheb’s career began under the reign of Amenhotep III.
But because that monarch didn’t support the military, it kind of fizzled out. Horemheb still choose to remain in Memphis until Tutankhamun was crowned king for more than 17 years. Horemheb’s fresh and bright career began at this time since the young king chose him to serve as the King’s Deputy out of trust for Horemheb.
Horemheb shown his capacity to lead with real strength and authority throughout this time. The populace complied with his law-and-order policies. He was devoted to his position and put the welfare of the nation above all else.
He was portrayed as a scribe, sitting cross-legged with a papyrus roll in his lap. Horemheb’s portrayal here demonstrated his commitment to his function as the King’s Deputy. Horemheb’s royal oath to serve the country with wisdom, truth, and loyalty was revealed by the hieroglyphic symbols that were associated with him. having been a reputable army commander under Tutankhamun’s rule.
Horemheb came to power to lead the nation in the correct direction. His greatest achievement in keeping the populace away from the worship of an odd god was the destruction of the temples built for Aton’s worship.
Tomb of king Haremheb
To offer royal tribute to kings, it was customary for the Egyptians to bury their bodies in the Valley of the Kings. Horemheb’s tomb was decorate with his accomplishments as a king and a military leader. A group of tiny cobras as a symbol of monarchy were incorporated into the pattern. This strengthened the connection between Horemheb and Tutankhamun, whose likeness included a cobra on its forehead.
Horemheb’s original tomb, which is interesting, was at Saqqara, but like other pharaohs of his day, he was ultimately inters there. It’s probable that Horemheb built two graves for himself as he unexpectedly rose to prominence to support his position.
Archeologists had a monumental task: locating monarchs’ tombs. Fortunately, excavations revealed Horemheb’s tomb, which provided the missing information about his life.
Together with his empty sarcophagus, they discovered a sizable collection of wooden and broken pieces of furniture. What happened to the empty sarcophagus was never find. The body simply disappeared with no sign of it. It was think that someone broke into Horemheb’s tomb. And stole the mummy to sell. Despite priests applying mystical formulas to kings’ tombs to keep robbers out, you could wonder if his tomb was curse.
It seems more plausible to think that Horemheb’s tomb was loot and destroy in return for cash, though.
Horemheb was burial in KV57 in the Valley of the Kings.
