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Tuthmosis II
Akheperenre
Dynasty 18
1518 -1504 BC
Tuthmosis II Pharaoh Biography
Tuthmosis I died in about 1518 BC, leaving behind a complicated situation vis a vis his successor to the throne. His two elder sons – the princes Wadjmose and Amenmose – predeceased their father, so the young third son became heir. Also called Tuthmosis, the new king was son of a minor royal wife, the princess Mutnefert (sister of Tuthmosis I’s queen, Ahmose). In order to strengthen the youngster’s position, therefore, he was married to his half-sister Hatshepsut, elder daughter of Tuthmosis I and Queen Ahmose.
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Tuthmosis II Mummy |
Together Tuthmosis II and Hatshepsut reigned for about 14 years until he died in his early thirties. Despite his apparent poor health, the king prosecuted successful campaigns in both Syria and Nubia, attested by a short inscription in the temple at Deir el–Bahari and a rock inscription at Aswan. Old retainers such as Ineni the architect were still serving the court: ‘I was a favorite of the king in his every place … I attained the old age of the revered, I possessed the favour of His Majesty every day. I was supplied from the table of the king with bread.’
Tuthmosis II had one son, likewise Tuthmosis, by Isis, a harem-girl. He may also have had a daughter, Neferure, by Hatshepsut. The king must have realized the overweening ambition of his wife and half-sister and endeavoured to curtail it by declaring his son his successor before he died. In the event, Tuthmosis III was still a young child when he succeeded to the throne and his stepmother and aunt Hatshepsut initially acted as regent for the young king. As Ineni‘s autobiography succinctly noted, ‘His son [Tuthmosis III] stood in his [Tuthmosis II‘s] place as King of the Two Lands, having become ruler upon the throne of the one who begat him. His sister the Divine Consort, Hatshepsut, settled the affairs of the Two Lands by reason of her plans.
Egypt was made to labour with bowed head for her, the excellent seed of the god, which came forth from him.’ Ineni, however, remained in the queen’s favour: ‘Her Majesty praised me, she loved me, she recognized my worth at court, she presented me with things, she magnified me … I increased beyond everything.’
By regnal Year 2 of the young Tuthmosis III, Hatshepsut had her propaganda machine in place and working, and usurped her stepson’s position.
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