Comparing Persian Art with Art from Medinet Habu
Could Ramses II be Ramses III?

Ancient history is not short of suppositions. One theory tries to show that Ramses II and III were the same pharaoh. While there exist parallels between these kings there are also dissimilarities one of which is shown below. We think comparing this art work ought to show with a reasonable assurance that Ramses III belongs into Persian times.
Rameside and Persian monuments compared
Name of Darius I in cuneiform
This comparison of a masterfully executed Persian relief carving with one of the divine pharaoh from Medinet Habu is actually a very important chronological anchor for our revision. Utilizing scant space to represent the most important features led artists to cram much detail in their renditions of scenes. A vagely similar scene was found in the tomb of Djehutihotep (12th dynasty) at El Bersheh, depicting the transport of a colossal seated statue of the tomb owner. While the overall crowded lay out is similar all the other details are not.
Name of Hystaspes in cuneiform
 Enlarging the cartouche just in front of the seated pharaoh we could see that it bears the name of Ramses III. The obvious similarity in the lay out of this scene even in its details speaks volumes. However, compared to the Persian carving the Egyptian is inferior in size and quality.
Discussion of the glyphs:
In the left cartouche -
1. the upper left sign, though a little damaged, is the fly flapper of the 3 fox tails
2. the upper right sign is the figure of the Horus god holding the ankh sign facing to the right
3. below we see the horizontal line sometimes described as a bolted door lock
4. the lower sign is a variation of a pillar or light tower with a cross on the top
5. the lower right shows the royal scepter (sheperds rod, rule, reign, govern) also seen in the hand of the seated pharaoh
In the right cartouche:
1. the upper left sign is the figure of the goddess Maat holding the ankh sign facing to the right
2. just to the right of the head we see the circle sign with a dot in the middle
3. the upper right sign is the sign for strength featuring the head of Seth on a stick
4. below these signs we see the rectangle with concave ends
5. below that the horizontal sometimes described as a droughtboard or comb
6. the lower left sign is the wavy line pattern representing the letter `n'
7. the lower right sign is a single palm fond representing the letter `a'

Comments: We think that the scene by the artists of Ramses III is a copy of the Persian original on the basis that the original usually is the more masterly work when it comes to art. Together with all the other evidence this position seems strong.
Notes and References

[010] For information on the Persian period cuneiform tablet recording `work done on the state barque or barge of Darius' see PSBA, May 1885, p. 148-154, plate included.
[020] The rock inscriptions of `Judi Dagh' can be studied in L.W. King's, `Studies of some Rock Sculptures and Rock Inscriptions of Western Asia' in PSBA, Feb. 1913, p. 66-94 followed by many plates showing the cuneiform of these features.

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