Thutmose II was the fourth pharaoh of the XVIIIe dynasty and reigned from 1493 to 1479 BC. Although his reign was relatively short, he played a crucial role in Egyptian history, particularly in the succession of the dynasty.
Ascension to the throne
Thutmose II was the son of Thutmose I and his second wife, Moutnofret. Upon the death of his father, Thutmose II ascended the throne by marrying his half-sister Hatshepsut, daughter of Thutmose I and his first wife, Ahmes. This marriage reinforced Thutmose II's legitimacy as king, assuring him of a direct line with the previous pharaoh.
Reign and achievements
Thutmose II's reign was relatively short, lasting around 13 years. During this period, he consolidated royal power in Egypt and continued his father's policies. However, due to the brevity of his reign, he did not have time to lead major military campaigns or leave a significant architectural legacy.
Health and death
It would seem that Thutmose II suffered from health problems throughout his life, in particular bad teeth. These health problems could explain the brevity of his reign. Thutmose II probably died around 30 years old and was buried in the Valley of the Kings, in a tomb designated under the number KV42.
Inheritance and succession
The main legacy of Thutmose II lies in his descent and dynastic succession. He had a son, Tuthmosis III, with a secondary wife, Isis. Upon the death of Thutmose II, his son being too young to reign, his wife Hatshepsut first ensured the regency, then proclaimed herself pharaoh. Thutmose III eventually became pharaoh upon Hatshepsut's death, ushering in a reign marked by unprecedented military conquests and territorial expansion.
In sum, although the reign of Thutmose II was cut short, its importance lies in the dynasty he helped to perpetuate, by engendering one of the most emblematic pharaohs in Egyptian history, Tuthmosis III.
📋 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 | ||