Who killed Ramses III? How scientists found murder in an Egyptian mummy | ASSASSINS

Key Concepts

• Ramses III: The last great pharaoh of Egypt, known as a military genius and god-king.
• Sea Peoples: A mysterious and destructive group that swept through the Mediterranean, threatening civilizations.
• Labor Strike: The first recorded labor strike in history, by tomb workers demanding payment.
• Queen Tiye: A royal consort of Ramses III who plotted his assassination.
• Prince Pentawer: Son of Queen Tiye and a potential heir, implicated in the assassination plot.
• Judicial Papyrus of Turin: An ancient document detailing the trial of the conspirators.
• Eye of Horus: An amulet symbolizing healing and protection, placed in Ramses III's wound.
• Mummification: The ancient Egyptian process of preserving bodies, with specific punishments for conspirators.

The Assassination of Ramses III: A Cold Case Solved by Science

Unraveling the Mystery of the Pharaoh's Death

For over 3,000 years, the cause of death for Ramses III, Egypt's last warrior pharaoh, remained an enigma. His mummified body showed no obvious signs of battle, disease, or external wounds. This led to speculation about a peaceful death from old age or a sudden illness. However, the absence of clear evidence fueled the mystery, leaving it as a significant "cold case" in history.

Scientific Breakthrough: CT Scans Reveal the Truth

In 2012, a scientific team re-examined Ramses III's mummified remains. They noticed unusually thick layers of bandages around the pharaoh's neck. Utilizing advanced CT scan technology, which employs high-powered X-ray imaging, they were able to peer beneath these bandages. The scans revealed a brutal wound: a single, deep slash across the throat that severed the windpipe, arteries, and even reached the spine. This wound was unequivocally indicative of murder. A second scan uncovered another injury: the pharaoh's big toe had been hacked off, suggesting the use of a sharp, heavy weapon like an axe or sword. The lack of healing on this wound indicated it occurred around the same time as the fatal throat injury. The presence of multiple wounds inflicted by different weapons pointed towards a coordinated assassination, not an accident.

Ramses III: The Savior of Egypt

Ramses III ruled Egypt for three decades, from approximately 1187 BC. He was a formidable ruler, commanding vast armies and overseeing the construction of monumental structures. His reign was marked by significant military victories that defended Egypt from external threats.

• Defense Against the Libyans: In the fifth year of his reign, Ramses III successfully repelled invasions from the west by the Libyans, killing thousands and executing their leaders.
• Victory Over the Sea Peoples: He famously defeated the mysterious and destructive Sea Peoples, who had ravaged other Mediterranean civilizations. Ramses III achieved this by first engaging them on land and then ambushing their fleet at the mouth of the Nile, where Egyptian archers rained arrows from warships, capsizing enemy boats. Scenes from this battle are still visible, carved into the walls of his temple at Medinet Habu.

These victories solidified Ramses III's reputation as an "unstoppable" ruler, a god-king who protected Egypt from chaos.

The Cost of War and Internal Strife

Despite his military successes, the constant warfare came at a significant cost to Egypt's treasury. The draining of resources led to economic hardship, with widespread hunger and suffering among the populace. This economic strain even led to the first recorded labor strike in history, by tomb workers demanding payment.

These internal pressures, coupled with the weakening of the pharaoh's authority, created cracks within the empire. Corruption began to spread through the government, and officials who once feared the pharaoh started plotting against him. The greatest threat to Ramses III's rule, it turned out, was not from foreign enemies but from within his own palace.

The Royal Conspiracy: A Plot from the Harem

A deadly plot was hatched within the royal harem, orchestrated by Queen Tiye. As one of Ramses III's wives, she was not the queen mother, and her son, Prince Pentawer, was not the designated heir, with Ramses IV being the chosen successor. Driven by ambition for her son to become pharaoh, Queen Tiye sought to eliminate Ramses III.

She enlisted the help of various individuals within the palace, including high-ranking officials, harem servants, military officers, and even magicians. These conspirators communicated in secret, forging alliances and performing dark rituals, including casting spells and reading omens, in an attempt to manipulate fate. Ancient texts document their clandestine activities.

The Assassination and its Immediate Aftermath

The assassination was carried out with brutal efficiency. Some evidence suggests Ramses III may have been poisoned first to weaken him before the final attack. The fatal blow was a deep slash to the throat, nearly decapitating the pharaoh. In a final, poignant act, the conspirators placed a small amulet, an Eye of Horus (a symbol of healing and protection), deep within the wound, perhaps as a desperate attempt to save him even in death.

The Trial and Punishment of the Conspirators

Despite the secrecy of the plot, word of the conspiracy quickly spread through the palace, leading to panic and uncertainty about the succession. Queen Tiye's plan to place her son on the throne was thwarted. A massive investigation was launched, resulting in one of the most significant trials in Egyptian history, documented in the Judicial Papyrus of Turin.

Dozens of individuals were implicated, including palace officials, guards, harem members, and high-ranking generals. Those found guilty faced severe punishments. Some were sentenced to death and executed for treason. However, Prince Pentawer and others received a more terrifying fate. They were forced to take their own lives, either by hanging or by consuming poison.

Their punishment extended beyond death. Unlike other royals, Pentawer was not mummified with honor. His body was wrapped in impure animal skin, and his mouth was stretched wide open in a screaming pose, a stark contrast to the serene expressions of traditional mummies. This was intended as a curse and a warning against betraying the pharaoh.

The Legacy of Betrayal

The assassination of Ramses III exposed the deep divisions and shattered loyalties within the royal court. The empire, already weakened by economic struggles and corruption, suffered a significant blow. The pharaohs who followed Ramses III were generally weaker, and regional governors began to assert their own authority. Within a century, Egypt's power and influence had significantly diminished. The economic hardships and political corruption that plagued Egypt in the subsequent period could be traced back to the moment of Ramses III's assassination.