Seqenenre Taa

The war begins

Seqenenre Taa initiated open warfare against the Hyksos ruler Apepi. To project military power northward, he constructed a heavily fortified forward operating base and royal palace at Deir el-Ballas, granting him a commanding strategic view of the Nile Valley.

A violent death

He led his troops from the front lines and was killed in hand-to-hand combat. Forensic analysis of his mummy reveals severe, fatal trauma to his head and neck from axes and daggers. His mummification was poorly executed and his brain was left intact, indicating the embalming process was heavily rushed, likely because his forces were in full retreat from the pursuing Hyksos army.