King Seti I

Pharaoh Seti I is one of the most incredible names in the history of ancient Egypt who have a deep impact on the future of this immortal civilization. The legacy of this great king has stood the test of time which changed the face of Egypt during the prosperous New Kingdom era (1570 – 1050 BC) where some of the greatest archaeological wonders were built to uncover the epic wealth of culture and artistic innovation of this marvelous civilization.

This magnificent character made waves and establish a golden heritage filled with magic, glory, and wonder. Discover all the mysteries, facts, and tales that surround his incredible life.

Interesting Facts about Pharaoh Seti I Life

King MenmaatreSeti I was known as the second pharaoh of the 19th dynasty of the New Kingdom whose reign lasted between 1294 BC and 1279 BC for 15 years or from 1290 BC to 1279 BC for 11 years. He is known to be the true primal founder of the magnificent and glorious Ramesside dynasty.

He was born in the city of Avaris and was the son of Pharaoh Ramsess I and Queen Stire and is widely known to be the father of Ramesses II. His consort and queen wife was Tuya and he has other children like Tia and Henutmire. He created some of his most incredible archaeological monuments which include the beautiful the Mortuary Temple of Seti I, the mythical Temple at Abydos, and the Great Hypostyle Hall.

He launched a number of successful campaigns across Libya & Levant and victories. He established his capital in the epic city of Memphis. His achievements were overshadowed by the greatness of Ramesses the great his son.

Titles & Names of Kings Seti I

Seti I was pleased with many names and titles during his reign as the name Seti is related to Set "Seth" & "Sutekh" the god of the desert and war who blessed him. After his ascension, he was awarded a number of titles as he took the Praenomen Menmaatre which means "The Justice of Re is Eternal", and the Nomen Seti-Merneptah which means "The Man of Seth, Beloved of Ptah".

He also has the title of Horus name Kanakhte-Khaemwaset Seankhtawy which means "Strong Bull, Who Appears in Thebes and Sustains the Two Lands", Nebty name Wehemmesut-Sekhemkhepesh Derpedjut who has the title of "Renewing Births, the strong-armed one who has Repelled the Nine Bows" and a golden Horus title Wehemkhau-Userpedjutem- tawnebu which means "Powerful of Effectiveness, Who has Subdued his Enemies". He was known by the Greeks by the name "Sethos" or "Sethosis".

Family & Children of Seti I

Seti I was the son of Pharaoh Ramsess I and Queen Stire and is widely known to be the father of Ozymandias Ramesses II (1279–1213 BC). His consort and queen wife was Tuya who was the daughter of a charioteer military officer known as Raia. He has three children with his wife.

He has other two daughters Tia and Henutmire. His beautiful daughter Tia married a very high-ranking civil servant who also was named Tia. His son Ramsess II succeeded his father and married his younger sister Henutmire. Many believe his son Ramesses II served as co-regent.

Reign of Seti I

There is great discussion and debate about the duration of his reign as many believe it was between 11 to 15 years between 1294/1290–1279 BC during the 19th Dynasty. There are no dates or records that show any action after his 9th year. After the complete disaster left by Akhenaten's religious reform which weakened the kingdom and throw the whole country into total chaos.

After the death of Akhenaten, it was the Kings of Horemheb, Ramesses I, and Seti I enforced order across the lands and strengthened Egypt’s sovereignty over Syria and Canaan. Seti I spent most of his reign expanding the territory of the Egyptian empire through military campaigns and victories as seen across Karnak temple within the temple of Amun and the golden temple of Abydos within his funerary temple.

Military Campaigns of Pharaohs Seti I

Seti I is known to have launched a number of battles and wares within Libya, western Asia, and Nubia within the first ten years of his reign as exhibited across the northern wall of the hypostyle hall of the Karnak plus there are a number of royal stelas showcasing his battles in Nubia and Canaan.

The "Horus Military Road" has a series of military forts with a well that showcases a number of war images. He crushed a rebellion in Nubia. It is known he defeated a number of Libyan tribesmen who tried to invade the western border. The first six years of rule are found painted across the outer east and north walls of the great Amun temple in Karnak.

Achievements of King Seti I

During his reign, Seti I made many achievements which are restoring the prestige and greatness of Egypt after the upheaval caused by Pharaoh Akhenaten in the 18th dynasty of the New Kingdom by leading his army to expand the territory of Egypt across northern Syria and Palestine plus creating the frontier at the land of Kadesh found on the Orontes River between the Anti-Lebanon mountains and Lebanon.

He did so much for his country as he opened many quarries, dug wells, and gold mines like Wadi Hammamat & Bir Umm Fawakhir, fortified the frontier, and established many shrines and temples by building the immortal great hypostyle hall at Karnak, the marvelous Abydos temple for the ruler of the Underworld which has the most incredible colorful decorations of art revealing the most epic archaeological wonders.

One of the most magnificent achievements of Seti I is capturing the legendary city of Kadesh after defeating the Hittite army. He entered the city with his son Ramesses II where a victory stela was established. Kadesh was lost again by the king of the Hittite Muwatallis but was returned again by Ramsess II in the battle of Kadesh. The oldest geological map ever made in the history of the world was made during his reign on preserved papyrus that is found in Turin

Famous Constructions During Seti I's Reign

Seti I made many magical constructions found across the golden lands of Abydos and Thebes showcasing some of the most incredible facts, tales, and pieces of art. He established the magical temple of Abydos to honor the ruler of the Underworld Osiris plus Re-Harakhte, Amun-Re, Isis, and Horus; it was decorated with a number of marvelous relief inscriptions which include the chronological Abydos king list which is made of cartouches with names from Menes to Seti I. It holds the Osireion that has paintings and decorations of the book of gates.

The great Hypostyle hall found at the Amun’s temple of the Karnak is one of the most beautiful attractions ever. It is made of 134 columns filled which are filled with incredible carvings showcasing Atum across the dark waters of Nun at the start of creation. The entire southern part of the hall was established by him and his son. The mortuary temple of Seti is located in the Theban Necropolis which was established on the western bank of the Nile River near the town of Qurna and was completed by his son Ramses the great. Most of the temple is in ruins totally broken.

Death and Mummy of Seti I

The Mummy of Seti I is known to be one of the most preserved mummies in the history of Egypt which is found in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. It is 1.7 meters (5 feet 7 inches) tall and 40 years old and was found decapitated without any sign of violence put shows he died of a disease. The body was reattached by the priests of Amun.

Tomb of King Seti I

The tomb of Seti I is found in the Valley of the Kings which was discovered by Giovanni Belzoni in 1817 and is one of the most preserved which is known to be the deepest and longest royal tomb. It is by far the most enchanting royal sepulcher and one of the first tombs to feature the most colorful paintings, reliefs, and incredible decorations through the chambers and the passageways including his image with the goddess Hathor.

The sarcophagus was made of pure white alabaster and decorated with blue copper sulfate which was carved from a single part that is decorated with the image of Nut. The walls and ceiling are loaded with vivid colors like deep blue that look like the night sky. This is a 173.5 m ancient tunnel that runs into the bedrock found at the back of the burial chamber.

Conclusion

Seti I is credited with being the greatest king of the 19th dynasty who established the ideal condition for the rise of his son Ramsess the great to be the most successful ruler in the history of Egypt. With our Egypt tour packages and Egypt Nile cruises, everyone will have the chance to discover the magical and immortal wonders of Egypt that stood the test of time and are able to showcase the most marvelous tales and facts.