Seti II was the 5th ruler of the 19th Dynasty of Egypt. The 19th Dynasty was part of the new kingdom which started after Egypt took back Lower Egypt from the Hyskos who ruled them for 100 years. Egypt copied the Hyskos war tactics. The 19th Dynasty of Egypt was started by Vizier Ramesses I who was chosen by Horheb as successor to his throne. This Dynasty was best known for conquering Israel, Lebanon and Syria.
His father was Mereneptah and his mother was Isisnofret II. His parents were siblings. Seti II reigned 1203 B.C to 1197 B.C although some say he reigned for 6 years. (1199 B.C to 1993 B.C) His other name was Sethos II. His throne name was Userkhperure Seteperne. It means “Powerful are manifestations of Re, Chosen by Re.” Seti II had 3 possibly 4 wives, Takhat III , Tia’a , Tausret, and possibly Sutailja . Tausret was also his sister.
Seti II’s enemy was Amenmesse who is also is believed to be his half brother. Amenmesse took over Thebes and Nubia for 4 years. It’s like he was president only by force. Amenmesse is believed to have erased Seti’s name and most of his history, that’s why historians know so little about this pharaoh. He had his oldest son Seti III-Merenptah with Tausret. Sadly Seti III died at an early age and did not get his chance to become pharaoh. It is unknown how his 1st son died. His other son Siptah took the throne after Seti II. Seti decorated other tombs while he was pharaoh.
His tomb was discovered by Pococke and a group of historians but they only explored part of the tomb. The tomb had much Greek and Latin Grafiti on its walls.
It was Howard Carter who explored the whole tomb in between 1903 and 1904.The tomb is called KV15 and is located in the Western Bank in the Valley of Kings in Luxor which used to be Thebes in the past. Seti’s tomb was never finished. KV15 is now being renovated and will become a museum. The construction workers are probably working on it as we speak. KV15 is strait 75.38 meters long and 6.53 meters deep.
The body of Seti II has been removed and been transferred to KV 35.
KV35 is also known as the tomb of Amunhotep. Many other pharaohs and other mummified royalty are kept at KV35 just to keep them all safe. Riches and treasures that were found in KV15 are still kept there. Above Seti’s sarcophagus lie a painting or depiction of Seti II and the Goddess Nut stretching across the reverse side. The top side and Seti’s face are both missing. This is one of the things that Amenesse might have erased. The goddess Nut was carved out of the painting and put in the Louvre in Paris. Much is still to learn about Seti II.
