Amenemope (pharaoh)
Usermaatre Amenemope (also spelled Amenemopet, Amenemipet, or Amunemopet) was a pharaoh of the 21st Dynasty of ancient Egypt, ruling during the Third Intermediate Period. His reign is generally dated from approximately 1001 to 992 BC, although some sources offer a slightly different range of 993 to 984 BC. He was likely the son of his predecessor, Psusennes I, and Queen Mutnedjmet.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Amenemope succeeded Psusennes I in Tanis, the 21st Dynasty's capital. He also held the title "High Priest of Amun in Tanis," a position held by his father. Although his authority was centered in Tanis, it was recognized throughout Egypt, even in Thebes, governed by the High Priest of Amun, Smendes II, and then his brother Pinedjem II. Amenemope's name appears on funerary goods from at least nine Theban burials, including the Book of the Dead of Pennestawy, "Captain of the barque of Amun," dating to Amenemope's fifth regnal year. No children or wives are known for Amenemope. He was succeeded by Osorkon the Elder, who does not appear to have been related to him.
Compared to other pharaohs in the 21st Dynasty, Amenemope's reign is not extensively documented. He is known for continuing projects initiated by his predecessors, such as decorating a chapel for the goddess Isis "Mistress of the Pyramids at Giza," and making additions to a temple in Memphis. All known accounts of Manetho's Epitome, an ancient history of Egypt, record Amenemope (known as Amenophthis in the Greek versions) as having reigned for nine years, a duration generally consistent with archaeological evidence.
Amenemope was initially interred in his own tomb (NRT IV) at Tanis. During Siamun's early reign, Amenemope was reburied in Psusennes I's tomb (NRT III), in a chamber thought to be for his mother, Mutnedjmet. His burial was among the few undisturbed royal interments found in ancient Egypt. It was unearthed by French Egyptologist Pierre Montet between 1939 and 1940. Due to the climate of the Nile Delta, only metal artifacts survived in the tomb, including a gilt funerary mask, pectorals, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and a cloisonné collar. Four items bore the name of Psusennes I. Analysis of Amenemope's skeleton by Dr. Douglas Derry indicated he was a strongly-built man who lived to a relatively advanced age and likely died from meningitis due to a skull infection. His mummy and funerary items are now in the Cairo Museum. Amenemope's burial was less extravagant than his father, Psusennes I, whose coffin was solid silver and whose mask was solid gold, while Amenemope's were merely gilded.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ von Beckerath, Jürgen (1999). Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen. Münchner ägyptologische Studien, Heft 49, Mainz: Philip von Zabern. ISBN 978-3-8053-2591-2.
- ↑ Clayton, Peter (1994). Chronicle of the Pharaohs. Thames & Hudson Ltd.
- ↑ Derry, Douglas E. (1942). "Report on skeleton of King Amenemopet". Annales du Service des Antiquités de l'Égypte. 41.
- ↑ Goyon, Georges (1987). La Découverte des trésors deTanis. Perséa. p. 608. ISBN 2-906427-01-2.
- ↑ Jansen-Winkeln, Karl (2006). Hornung, Erik; Krauss, Rolf; Warburton, David A. (eds.). Ancient Egyptian Chronology. Brill, Leiden/Boston. ISBN 978-90-04-11385-5.
- ↑ Kitchen, Kenneth A. (1996). The Third Intermediate Period in Egypt (1100–650 BC). Warminster: Aris & Phillips Limited. p. 608. ISBN 0-85668-298-5.
- ↑ Wente, Edward F. (1967). "On the Chronology of the Twenty-First Dynasty". Journal of Near Eastern Studies. 26 (3): 155–176. doi:10.1086/371908. S2CID 161532622.