Ramesses IV

The throne name Usermaatre was one used by Ramesses IV, as well as his father (Ramesses III) and his illustrious ancestor, Ramesses II. He was the third pharaoh of the 20th Dynasty, ruling for 6 short years from 1155 – 1149 BC. He was the fifth son of Ramesses III, his four brothers having predeceased their father. He attempted to carry on the monumental building program developed by Ramesses the Great. Part of this program included extending the Temple of Khonsu at Karnak. Ramesses IV changed his throne name early on in his reign from Usermaatre to Heqamaatre, which translates as ‘True Ruler’ or ‘Ruler in Truth’, perhaps in an attempt to distinguish himself from his father and the Great Ancestor.