page_title: Harem conspiracy
section_title: Conspiracy
hierarchical_section_title: Harem conspiracy / Conspiracy
caption_attribution_description: 中文: 拉美西斯四世的泥岩跪象。个人拍摄，由声-瀑布谣进行制作和加工。English: Ramesses IV makes an offering.
context_page_description: The harem conspiracy was a plot to murder the Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses III. The principal figure behind the plot was one of the pharaoh's secondary wives, Tiye, who hoped to put her son Pentawer on the throne instead of the pharaoh's chosen successor, Ramesses IV. The plan was organized by the court official Pebekkamen. The plot succeeded in causing the death of the pharaoh, but failed to establish Pentawer on the throne. In the aftermath, the leading conspirators were convicted and executed.
context_section_description: On day 15 of month 3 of  Shemu 1155 BC, Ramesses III was likely in the royal harem in the Western Tower of  Medinet Habu when an attempt on his life was made. This date was chosen as it coincided with the Beautiful Feast of the Valley; the commotion surrounding the event was used to the advantage of the conspirators.  
  A minor wife of the king, Queen Tiye, wished for her son, Pentawer, to take the throne over Ramesses IV, the chosen successor. To achieve this, Tiye enlisted a group of officials throughout the administration as well as servants to help deliver messages beyond the harem. Tiye was also able to convince many of these officials to help act out the two-fold conspiracy. One of the pantry chiefs, Pebekkamen, was responsible for distributing information: 
  ...he had begun to bring out their word to their mothers and their brothers who were there, saying: 'Stir up the people! Incite enmity in order to make rebellion against their lord!'
  Pebekkamen received help from a butler named Mastesuria, the cattle overseer Panhayboni, overseer of the harem Panouk, and clerk of the harem Pendua. Since the harem had very restricted access Panhayboni sought out the overseer of the King's treasury, Pairy, to obtain a pass that would allow the conspirators access to the king.
  It was once thought that Ramesses III survived the initial attack, only to die some time later. This is due in part to the Judicial Papyrus of Turin, which preserves a record of the trials of the conspirators, being carried out under his name. The document opens with:
  [King Usermare'-Meriamun, l.p.h., Son of Re': Ramesses] Ruler of Heliopolis [l.p.h. said]... I commissioned the overseer of the treasury Montemtowe; the overseer of the treasury Pefrowe; the standard-bearer Kara; the butler Paibese, the butler Kedendenna; the butler Ba'almahar; the butler Peirswene; the butler Dhutrekhnefer; the king's adjutant Penernute; the clerk Mai; the clerk of the archives Pre'em-hab; the standard-bearer of the infantry Hori; saying 'As for the matters which the people-I do not know who-have plotted, go and examine them'.
  His mummy appeared to show no outward signs of any injuries and his death was presumed to be a natural one. However, recent CT scanning of his mummy reveals that his throat was cut to the bone, severing the trachea, esophagus, and blood vessels, proving fatal. This finding confirms the theory that the trial of the conspirators was carried out by Ramesses IV in the name of his father, rather than by Ramesses III himself.
caption: Ramesses IV, the appointed heir of Ramesses III
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