Son of Shoshenq I and his chief wife, Karomat A, Osorkon I, by his throne name Sekhemkheperre (meaning "The manifestations of Ra are mighty"), succeeded his father around 922 BCE. Shoshenq I would likely have died within a year of his successful campaign in 923 BC against the Philistines and the Kingdom of Israel.
Osorkon I, second king of the 22nd Dynasty of Egypt, ruled during a time of plenty and prosperity, known for many temple building projects. Its earliest known date is "Year 33", found on the bandage of the mummy of Nakhtefmut, which wore a necklace inscribed with the nomen and prenomen of Osorkon I.
II. The length of Osorkon I's reign
The historian Manetho gives Osorkon I a reign of 15 years in his “Ægyptiaca”, but this duration is probably an error. Based on evidence from the second bandage of the Heb Sed ritual, Kenneth Kitchen suggests that the reign of Osorkon I would have lasted 35 years. This estimate is also corroborated by other mummy bandages, belonging to his reign, dated to his years 11, 12, and 23.
III. The Uncertainties Around His Succession
The succession of Osorkon I has been a subject of debate among Egyptologists. It is generally accepted that his son Takelot I succeeded him directly. However, it is possible that another reign, that of Heqakheperre Shoshenq II, briefly intervened between these two kings. Indeed, Takelot I was a son of Osorkon I and Queen Tashedkhons, a secondary wife of this king, while Osorkon I's primary wife was Queen Maatkare B, who may have been the mother of Shoshenq II.
IV. The Case of Shoshenq II
Shoshenq II is an enigmatic character from this period. He could be another son of Shoshenq I, since the latter is the only other king mentioned in the artifacts from the intact tomb of Shoshenq II at Tanis. Additionally, forensic examinations of his mummy revealed he was a man in his 35s when he died, implying he could have lived beyond Osorkon's 13-year reign. I and the XNUMX-year reign of Takelot I to assume the throne for a few years.
However, this assumption is disputed. Indeed, at that time, most kings were usually named after their grandfathers, not their fathers. Moreover, no mention of the name of Osorkon I has been preserved on the objects found in the tomb of Shoshenq II. This suggests that Sheshonq II ruled in his own right in Tanis and was not just a co-regent.
V. The Legacy of Osorkon I
Osorkon I's reign was marked by peace and calm, a stability not experienced by his son and grandson, Takelot I and Osorkon II, who faced difficulties in controlling Thebes and Upper Egypt. Osorkon I is also known to have extended his territory to the Levant. Sadly, his tomb was never found, still leaving many unanswered questions about his reign and his life.
Despite these uncertainties, the bust of Osorkon found in Byblos, one of the five royal inscriptions of Byblos, testifies to his influence and the prosperity of his reign, undeniably marking the history of ancient Egypt.
📋 LIST OF EGYPTIAN SOVEREIGNS 📋
Hotepsekhemwey / Sneferka / Nebra / ninetjer / Senedj / Noubnefer / Horus Ba / Peribsen / Sekhemib / Khasekhemwy / Neferkasokar / | |||
Djoser / Sanakht / Sekhemkhet / Spoon / Huni | |||
Sekhemre-Khutaouy Amenemhat-/Sobekhotep I/Sekhemkare Amenemhat-Senbef/Sekhemkare Amenemhat V/Ameny-Qemaou/Hotepibre Qémaou-Sa-Hornejhéritef/Ioufeni/Séânkhibrê Amény-Antef-Amenemhat (or Amenemhat VI)/Semenkarê Nebnoun/Sehotepibrê Sousekhtaouy | |||
Sekhaenre Yakbim/Nebuuserre Yaammou/Khauserre Qareh | |||
Semqen/Aper-Anat/Sakir-Har/Khyan/Apophis I/Apophis II?/Khamoudy | |||
/Sekhemre-Sementaouy Djehouty/Sekhemre-Sousertaouy Sobekhotep VIII | |||
Twenty-first dynasty | |||
Twenty-second dynasty | |||
Twenty-third dynasty | |||
Twenty-fourth dynasty | |||
1st Persian Dynasty | |||
Thirty-first dynasty (Achaemenid) | 2nd Persian Dynasty | ||