Shoshenq VI, a pharaoh of Thebes, is a mysterious and fascinating figure in Egyptian history. His royal name was “Usermaatre Meryamun Shoshenq”, which is particularly interesting because he is the only known instance where the epithet “Meryamun” (Beloved of Amun) appears in a royal cartouche. His life and reign remain intriguing to Egyptologists due to the complexity of Egyptian politics at the time.
Proofs of the Existence of Shoshenq VI
Shoshenq VI is mentioned in several archaeological sources. For example, his name is engraved on the funerary cones of Hor IX, the writer of letters to the Pharaoh. It is also mentioned in an inscription engraved on the roof of the Temple of Monthu at Karnak, signed by a certain Djedioh, as well as in the text of Quai du Nil No.25. These documents allow us to confirm the succession of Shoshenq VI after Pebast I à Thebes, as well as the existence of the fourth and sixth years of his reign.
Key Figures of the Reign of Shoshenq VI
Under Shoshenq VI, the High Priest of Amun was a certain Takelot. The latter first appeared in the 23rd year of the reign of Pedubast I, which gives some insight into the religious and political continuity of that time.
It also appears that Shoshenq VI was Prince Osorkon B's main rival in Thebes after the death of Pedubast I. Unfortunately, Shoshenq VI was defeated and ousted from power in Thebes in the 39th year of the reign of Shoshenq III by Prince Osorkon B.
The Fate of Shoshenq VI
The reign of Shoshenq VI ends in obscurity. After being ousted from power in Thebes by Prince Osorkon B, he disappears from history. Osorkon B explicitly states in the Quay of the Nile No.7 text that he and his brother, General Bakenptah of Herakleopolis, conquered Thebes and “overthrew all who fought against them”. After this event, Shoshenq VI is never mentioned again.
Note on the Designation of Shoshenq VI
It should be noted that prior to 1993, Shoshenq VI was known as Shoshenq IV in books and journal articles. However, today's Egyptologists refer to him as Shoshenq VI because he was a king of Thebes only attested by documents from Upper Egypt. This monarch was never a ruler of the 22nd dynasty of Tanis in 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 | ||