Siamon, one of the outstanding kings of the 19st dynasty, reigned over Egypt for an estimated 978 years, between approximately 959 and XNUMX BC, although Manetho credits him with nine years. His reign was distinguished by a vigorous foreign policy, significant architectural achievements, and remarkable interactions with other kingdoms, notably those of the Philistines and Israel.
Siamon and the Philistines: A War for Ports
Siamon actively defended Egyptian interests against the Philistines who threatened access to the country's ports. He waged a victorious war against them, during which he conquered and ravaged Gezer (or Gazara), a strategic city of the time.
A Prolific Builder: The Architectural Legacy of Siamon
Siamon's reign was also marked by significant architectural activity. In particular, he enlarged the temple of Amun at Tanis, erecting a large pylon there adorned with a pair of obelisks probably taken from the site of Pi-Ramses. It is believed that Siamon doubled the size of the temple, thus affirming the importance of the worship ofAmun.
His interest in architecture was not limited to Tanis. Siamon also led works in Heliopolis and Memphis, where he favored the clergy of Ptah in place and built a temple of Amun. In Thebes, he contributed to the construction and enlargement of the temple of Mut, thus completing the town planning of northern Thebes.
The Last Great Looting: The Hideout of the Tomb of Ahmes-Inhapy
During the reign of Siamon, the last great plunder of the Theban necropolis occurred. This led the high priest of Amun, Pinedjem II, to bury the royal mummies in the hiding place of the tomb of Ahmes-Inhapy, known as tomb DB320, located at Deir el Bahari.
Interactions with Israel: Covenants through Marriage
Siamon is often identified as the contemporary “Pharaoh” of Kings David and Solomon, mentioned in the Bible. According to the biblical texts, this Pharaoh would have provided refuge to Hadad, king of Edom, after his expulsion by king David. This Pharaoh also married an Egyptian princess to Hadad, thus strengthening the ties between Egypt and Edom. In addition, Siamon is also known to have concluded an alliance with Solomon, king of Israel, concretized by another royal marriage. These diplomatic alliances may have been continued by Siamon's successors, such as Psusennes II and Sheshonq I.
The Death of Siamon: An Unsolved Mystery
Siamon's death remains shrouded in mystery. He died without known descendants and the precise location of his first burial remains unknown. Items found at Tanis suggest that his original tomb may be there, but no definitive confirmation has been found. His mummy would then have been reinterred in the antechamber of the tomb of Psusennes I at an imprecise date, probably during the XXII dynasty.
Shabtis bearing the name Siamon have been found in the antechamber of Psusennes, leading some Egyptologists to speculate that one of the decomposed mummies found there may be that of Siamon. However, this hypothesis has not been definitively confirmed.
In sum, Siamon played a key role in the history of the XNUMXst Dynasty, revitalizing Egypt's foreign policy, stimulating architectural activity, and establishing landmark alliances through marriage. Despite the mysteries that still surround his life and death, his influence on ancient Egypt remains undeniable.
📋 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 | ||