Ramesses V (Usermaatre Sekheperenre)

The Wilbour Papyrus and the priesthood

During his short reign, the central government rapidly lost economic power to the religious establishment. This shift is documented in the Wilbour Papyrus, a massive land and tax survey that reveals the priesthood of Amun controlled the vast majority of Egypt's agricultural revenue.

A delayed burial

Ramesses V died around his fourth year, likely from smallpox. His burial was highly unusual; he was not laid to rest within the customary 70 days. Historians believe his interment was severely delayed because escalating raids by Libyan marauders made the Theban necropolis too dangerous for royal construction to continue.