previous next

Rhampsinītus

Ῥαμψίνιτος). Rameses or Ramses III., one of the ancient kings of Egypt, who succeeded Proteus, and was himself succeeded by Cheops. Rhampsinitus belongs to the Twentieth Dynasty, and is known in inscriptions by the name of Ramessu-pa-neter. He is said to have stored up immense wealth in a stone treasury with a secret entrance, regarding the robbery of which Herodotus tells a very entertaining story (bk. ii. 121 foll.), resembling a similar tale narrated of the treasury built by Agamedes and Trophonius at Orchomenus, for which see Trophonius. Rhampsinitus is said by Herodotus to have descended alive into Hades and to have won at dice from Persephoné (or Demeter) a golden napkin.

hide Display Preferences
Greek Display:
Arabic Display:
View by Default:
Browse Bar: