Tristan Hughes

I don't know much about the end of Ramesses's reign and the state of Egypt at that time.

Is there almost a decline in his power, or is Egypt declining as he's getting older?

Do we know anything about that?

So Mehren Ptah, let's focus on these threats that he faces, because his is not a name anywhere as recognizable as Ramesses II.

So we should shine a light on this figure, like we did with Ramesses I and Seti.

Mehren Ptah, what do we know about the struggles that he faces?

He's the 13th son also of Ramses.

Yeah.

So those military problems that he faces during his only a decade or so on the throne, it's quite interesting how you have, you know, Ramses II ruling for so long, then almost as soon as he dies, you have Libyans, the emergence of the Sea Peoples, you have the Nubians revolting as well, and Meron Ptah almost is one, he has to deal with it.

Do we think there's potentially a feeling that

Enemies were circling.

They see the death of a pharaoh.

They see Meremptar come to the throne quite elderly.

They feel that there's an opportunity here.

Yeah, one of these kind of transitional moments.

This almost feels a bit like Edward VII after Queen Victoria or something like that.

Yeah.

But he doesn't reign too long.

Yes.

But you don't associate the complete crumbling of a dynasty, I guess, with him following.