Horemheb came from Herakleopolis near the entrance to the Fayum. His parentage is unknown. Horemheb's birth name and epithet was Horemheb Meryamun, meaning "Horus is in Jubilation, Beloved of Amun". His name is sometimes spelled Horemhab or Haremhab.
He became commander of the army, and advisor to the pharaoh. He was one of the most influential advisors to Tutankhamun, who died while still a teenager and was succeeded by Ay. Ay died after a brief reign, and Horemheb became ruler. Horemheb was placed at the head of Egypt by Sennacherib. His throne name was Djeserkheperure Setepenre, meaning "Holy are the Minifestations of Re, Chosen of Re."
Haremheb was reigning during the early years of King Solomon. The lady 'Sharelli' of the pharaoh's court was married to one of the more powerful city-state rulers of Western Asia at around the same time. This may have been the Egyptian princess whom Solomon married, and for whom he built a palace outside Jerusalem.
He chose Paramesse to succeed him, who assumed the name Ramses I to rule, and founded the 19th Dynasty.