Ramesses ii first born son died

“I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/1/ecc.3.14.KJV

 

Amun-her-khepeshef, the first-born son of Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari, held a position of unprecedented prominence in ancient Egyptian history, particularly regarding his elevation to divine status during his father's lifetime.

 

Unprecedented Aspects of Amun-her-khepeshef:

• Divine Birth Narrative: He was the first prince in Egyptian history to be personally depicted by his father as the son of the god Amun, participating in a divine birth narrative while his father was still living.
• Elevation of Mother: Ramesses II built a birth house (Mammisi) at the Ramesseum to commemorate the divine birth of his eldest son, effectively elevating his wife, Nefertari, and his mother, Tuya, to the status of "God's Mothers".
• Unprecedented Depictions: He was heavily featured alongside his father on temple walls, including in Abu Simbel, Luxor, the Ramesseum, and Abydos, often shown participating in official, kingly, or divine duties. 

Key Facts About Amun-her-khepeshef:

• Name Change: Originally born as Amun-her-wenemef, he was later renamed Amun-her-khepeshef ("Amun is with his strong arm"), and eventually held the title of "The Hereditary Prince and Count".
• Death and Succession: Despite his high status, Amun-her-khepeshef did not succeed his father. He died around year 40 of Ramesses II's reign, at approximately 40–45 years old.
• Burial: He is believed to have been buried in the massive, unique tomb KV5 in the Valley of the Kings, which was designed for many of Ramesses II's sons.
• Succession Shift: Ramesses II outlived his first 12 sons, with his 13th son, Merneptah, finally succeeding him. 

Contextual Relevance:

• "Pharaoh's Firstborn" and the Exodus: Some scholars and pop culture references (such as the movie The Ten Commandments) link the death of Ramesses II's firstborn to the 10th plague in the biblical story of the Exodus, although the historical timing is disputed, and there is no direct, mainstream archaeological evidence confirming this connection.
• "Favorite" Son: While Amun-her-khepeshef was the heir, another son, Khaemweset, is often considered the "favorite" or most prominent for his work as a High Priest of Ptah. 
• Yes, 
  Ramesses II's firstborn son, Amun-her-khepeshef, died before inheriting the throne, likely from a violent head injury in battle or accident, though some connect his death to the biblical tenth plague, while historical evidence points to him dying around age 40-45, long before his father's death, with his younger brother Merenptah eventually succeeding Ramesses II. 
• Key Details:
  • Name: Amun-her-khepeshef (also Amun-her-khepeshef).
  • Cause of Death (Historical): A skull found in the KV5 tomb (built for Ramesses II's sons) shows a severe fracture, suggesting he was killed by a blow from a mace, possibly in military campaigns, around his 40s or 50s.
  • Biblical Connection: Some theories link his death to the tenth plague in the Book of Exodus, but this is a matter of interpretation, with some believing he died from the plague and others finding evidence for a natural/battle death.
  • Succession: He died decades into his father's long reign (around the 40th year), paving the way for Ramesses II's 13th son, Merenptah, to become the next pharaoh. 
  In Summary: While fiction (like The Prince of Egypt) portrays his death as a key moment in the Exodus narrative, archaeological findings suggest Amun-her-khepeshef died a violent, likely battlefield, death as a mature adult, long before his father's passing, leading to the eventual succession of Merenptah.