In the ancient land of Egypt, during the tumultuous Second Intermediate Period, there ruled a valiant king named Seqenenre Tao II. His reign, though short-lived, was marked by a courageous struggle against the oppressive Hyksos, a foreign dynasty that had seized control of parts of Egypt. Seqenenre Tao’s story is one of bravery, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of freedom for his people.
Seqenenre Tao II’s mummy, originally buried at Dra’ Abu el-Naga’, was later reburied at Deir el-Bahari in his original coffin. It was discovered in 1881 in the Deir el-Bahari cache (“DB320”), revealing a poorly preserved body of a king who died in his forties. Despite the poor preservation, the brain remained in the cranial cavity, and his mouth retained a complete set of healthy teeth. His mummified head bore the gruesome evidence of his final battle, with horrific wounds: a dagger thrust behind his ear, mace blows that shattered his cheek and nose, and a battle-axe that cleaved the bone above his forehead.
A literary tale from a later date suggests that Seqenenre was a contemporary of Apophis, one of the last great Hyksos kings. According to the tale, Apophis, residing in his delta capital of Avaris, 400 miles (644 km) away, provocatively claimed that the hippopotamuses at Thebes were disturbing his sleep. This absurd complaint was a deliberate provocation, and the tale ends with Seqenenre and his court pondering a suitable response.
“It came to pass that the land of Egypt was in misery, as there was no Lord, functioning as a proper king of the time. It happened that King Seqenenre was but Ruler of the Southern City and misery was in the city of the Asiatics, while Prince Apophis was in Avaris, and the entire land paid tribute to him, delivering their taxes in full as well as bringing all good produce of Egypt. So King Apophis adopted Seth for himself as lord, and he refused to serve any god that was in the entire land,” recounts the tale.
Seqenenre Tao, also known as Seqenenre Tao II, played a pivotal role in the liberation struggle against the Hyksos. He is believed to have initiated a rebellion, aiming to free Egypt from their rule. His efforts were part of a larger movement that eventually led to the expulsion of the Hyksos and the reunification of Egypt under the succeeding kings of the New Kingdom.
Seqenenre Tao’s bravery and determination earned him the titles “The Brave” or “The Courageous.” His actions laid the groundwork for the subsequent military campaigns that would ultimately drive out the Hyksos and restore Egyptian sovereignty.
Today, the legacy of Seqenenre Tao II endures. His remains, now housed in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Cairo, remind us of a time when a courageous king stood against foreign oppression, paving the way for Egypt’s reunification and the dawn of the New Kingdom. His story is a testament to the enduring spirit of a king who, even in death, continues to inspire.
