New Kingdom
Sethnakhte (Userkhaure)
20th Dynasty · 1186-1069 BCE
Open full-size illustration →Source: Shaw, Oxford History of Ancient Egypt (2000)
Background
Sethnakhte founded the 20th Dynasty by restoring order after the collapse of the 19th, but exactly how he came to power, and what became of his predecessor Tawosret, is less clear-cut than the triumphant account he left behind suggests. Research: UCL Digital Egypt; Theban Mapping Project.
Dates from: Shaw, Oxford History of Ancient Egypt (2000)
Full profile
Restoring order
Setnakhte was a military commander who seized the throne following the chaotic end of the 19th Dynasty. According to the Great Harris Papyrus, he crushed the rebellions of local chieftains and defeated Asiatic usurpers who had taken advantage of Egypt's political instability. Similar to Ramesses I, he ruled for a very brief period—likely no more than 18 months—but successfully secured the royal succession by passing the throne to his son.
An uncertain rise and a usurped tomb
Sethnakhte's own Elephantine Stela describes the years before his reign as a time of chaos, but it stops short of claiming he defeated his predecessor Tawosret in battle. Some Egyptologists think she may simply have died, with Sethnakhte then emerging victorious from a struggle among rival court factions rather than overthrowing her directly. Whatever happened, he showed no hesitation about erasing her afterward: he took over her unfinished tomb, KV14, reburying Seti II in a separate tomb and having Tawosret's own image and inscriptions throughout KV14 reworked into his.
Sources for this profile
- Baker, D. D. (2008). The Encyclopedia of the Pharaohs: Volume 1. Stacey International.
- Shaw, I. (Ed.). (2000). The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt. Oxford University Press.
- University College London. Kings of the New Kingdom.
- Reeves, N., & Wilkinson, R. H. (1996). The Complete Valley of the Kings. Thames & Hudson.
- Dodson, A., & Hilton, D. (2004). The Complete Royal Families of Ancient Egypt. Thames & Hudson.
The complete, APA-formatted reference list is on the Academic Sources & Bibliography page.