Bayenemwast

20th Dynasty

A conspiracy against the life of King Ramesses III was instituted at the end of his life. It was promoted by a minor wife of the king, who sough to secure the throne for their son, Pentaweret. The conspiracy involved a number of army officers, amongst whom was Bayenemwast, the Captain of the Nubian Archers. His sister was a woman of the harem who wrote to him, urging him to revolt against the king and to stir up sedition. The plot was discovered, and at the trial of the conspirators Bayenemwast was named as 'Evil in Thebes', a form of 'de-baptising' designed to un-name the criminal and thus ensure that he did not survive in the afterlife; with his fellow traitors he was found guilty and sentenced to death.

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Last Updated: June 20th, 2011