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The Harem Conspiracy: The Murder of Ramessess III
Whilst relaxing in one of his harem rooms in Thebes, Ramesses III was murdered. The conspiracy surrounding his assassination, and the trial and conviction of those said to be involved are recorded in court transcripts and legal records. Redford explores these heavily biased sources with new translations of many ancient papyri, and presents a new interpretation of the murder plot and the contested succession among Ramesses II's sons.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 21, 2018
Susan Reford gives readers a detailed, immersing and extraordinary observation on one of History's most scandalous murder plots. I have been fascinated by the story of the Harem Conspiracy since boyhood and have always been intrigued by what fueled the fires in the crime to depose Ramesses III, it is a thrilling, jaw-dropping and addictive story on how the most lethal enemies are those from within. The research conducted into this work is utterly masterful, rich and introspective given the surviving court records that survives from the era. Ramesses III's demise was a classic tragedy of how one loses power by becoming weak, negligent, frivolous and unconcerned with the responsibilities of government. Had the second half of Queen Tiye's plot succeeded, the fate of the Egyptian empire would have been different yet its inevitable downfall I am convinced would not have been able to salvage and repair. The recent CT scans done on Ramesses mummy indicates his throat was slit and he lost a toe in the attack on him. This current investigation made the conspiracy even more interesting and shocking. I was even more amazed when the mummy formerly known as Unknown Man E has been identified as Prince Pentawere, the son who played the game of thrones- and paid a heavy price. Truly a must-read for anyone who loves History, particularly Ancient Egypt and infamous assassinations. The book has the epic scale of directors such as Spielberg, Scorsese and Emmerich. I believe a film based on this poignant and high-stakes plot should be done. Would love to see Denzel Washington play Ramesses III, Tina Lifford as Queen Tiye, Nicholas Pinnock as Ramesses IV, Prince Pentawere played by Ashton Sanders, Djimon Hounsou as Paibakamana, Mahershala Ali as Prekamenef, Tony Todd as Mastesuria and Queen Ese played by Golshifteh Farahani (just to name a few). The story is a resonant and real one that captures the temper of any nation in the grips of anarchy, what it drives its people to do and the disastrous enduring consequences that treachery has on the future.
February 14, 2026
A Gripping and Brilliantly Researched Historical Masterpiece
This book is an extraordinary deep dive into one of ancient Egypt’s most dramatic royal conspiracies — the assassination of Ramesses III in Thebes. From the very first page, the author masterfully transports readers into the political intrigue, betrayal, and power struggles that shook the New Kingdom.
This book is an extraordinary deep dive into one of ancient Egypt’s most dramatic royal conspiracies — the assassination of Ramesses III in Thebes. From the very first page, the author masterfully transports readers into the political intrigue, betrayal, and power struggles that shook the New Kingdom.
May 15, 2012
The supposed murder of Tutankhamun (despite being unlikely) has given rise to many books and documentaries. The supposed murder of Ramesses III has spawned just one book: Susan Redford's The Harem Conspiracy.
Published in 2002, The Harem Conspiracy is naturally, and unfortunately, no longer up to date with the most recent developments on Ramesses III. These developments revealed that Ramesses III was in bad health (which Redford speculates) and the likely father of the mummy known as "Screaming Man E" (another theory of Redford's). The most interesting revelation was that Ramesses's throat was cut down to the bone, and likely murdered.
Redford does dismiss the idea of a fatal injury, but at the time it was a fair judgment. It was only CT scans that revealed the injury, long hidden underneath rock-hard bandages.
This is the only serious flaw in the book. It's a fascinating book, reading a bit like a crime novel. Redford names the culprits and interested party and goes into their motives. Even the discussions of the alternative methods of murder, though debunked, are worthwhile reading, and frankly, great fodder to anyone considering writing about Ramesses III or Ancient Egyptian regicide.
I did a few niggles with the books, mainly revolving around Redford's discussion of Teya, the ringleader of the conspiracy. Redford suggests Teya was Ramesses's second Great Royal Wife (he had two wives holding the title at the same time), but this is without strong evidence to support the theory. Another problem with The Harem Conspiracy is that it is so easy to get lost in the discussion of the royal sons: there are simply so many and discussed so briefly (a fault of the evidence) that it's impossible to remember them all.
Susan Redford's The Harem Conspiracy is a well-written, well-researched book that is unfortunately no longer up to date with the most recent developments. However, it is still a valid resource on the harem conspiracy that ended Ramesses III's life, and I would more than welcome a revised edition.
Published in 2002, The Harem Conspiracy is naturally, and unfortunately, no longer up to date with the most recent developments on Ramesses III. These developments revealed that Ramesses III was in bad health (which Redford speculates) and the likely father of the mummy known as "Screaming Man E" (another theory of Redford's). The most interesting revelation was that Ramesses's throat was cut down to the bone, and likely murdered.
Redford does dismiss the idea of a fatal injury, but at the time it was a fair judgment. It was only CT scans that revealed the injury, long hidden underneath rock-hard bandages.
This is the only serious flaw in the book. It's a fascinating book, reading a bit like a crime novel. Redford names the culprits and interested party and goes into their motives. Even the discussions of the alternative methods of murder, though debunked, are worthwhile reading, and frankly, great fodder to anyone considering writing about Ramesses III or Ancient Egyptian regicide.
I did a few niggles with the books, mainly revolving around Redford's discussion of Teya, the ringleader of the conspiracy. Redford suggests Teya was Ramesses's second Great Royal Wife (he had two wives holding the title at the same time), but this is without strong evidence to support the theory. Another problem with The Harem Conspiracy is that it is so easy to get lost in the discussion of the royal sons: there are simply so many and discussed so briefly (a fault of the evidence) that it's impossible to remember them all.
Susan Redford's The Harem Conspiracy is a well-written, well-researched book that is unfortunately no longer up to date with the most recent developments. However, it is still a valid resource on the harem conspiracy that ended Ramesses III's life, and I would more than welcome a revised edition.
July 6, 2015
Well written and wide spanning work on the harems conspiracy. Unfortunately not up-to date as there where loads of new discoveries but still a must read on the matter.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews