Siptah (Akhenre)

The boy king and the kingmaker

Siptah was a sickly child who ascended the throne around the age of ten. Medical analysis of his mummy indicates he likely suffered from polio. Born to a Canaanite mother, his exact paternal lineage is disputed. Because he was young and his mother was of low birth, his rule was heavily dependent on a powerful Canaanite official named Bay. Bay effectively operated as a kingmaker, openly claiming he placed Siptah on the throne. However, in the fifth year of Siptah's reign, the young king ordered Bay's execution for treason. Siptah died shortly after.