| Djedefptah I The Young | |
|---|---|
| |
| Pharaoh of Egypt | |
| Reign | 3 May 2506 - 15 January 2504 |
| Predecessor | Shepseskaf I |
| Successor | Khentkaus I |
| Born | August 7, 2525 B.C. Mennefer, Egypt |
| Died | January 15, 2504 B.C. (aged 20) |
| Full name | |
| Horus Name: Shepsekaptah Nebty Name: Ptahdjedefra Golden Horus Name: Khaem Praenomen: Shepsekaptah Nomen: Djedefptah | |
| House | Khasekhemwy |
| Dynasty | Sneferian Dynasty |
| Father | Shepseskaf |
| Mother | Khentkaus I |
| Religion | Kemetism |
Djedefptah known by his hellenized name Thamphthis an ancient Egyptian ruler (pharaoh) of the 4th Dynasty in the Old Kingdom, who ruled for around around two years during the late 26th century BC. Djedefptah was the son of his predecessor Shepseskaf I. His mother was Khentkaus I. Djedefptah was succeeded by his mother Khentkaus I as he was childless, she became the first female monarch to rule alone in her own right in egyptian history, his death marks the end of the fourth dynasty.
Reign[]
Djedefptah succeeded to the throne on May 3, 2506 BC, following the death of his father, King Shepseskaf. During his short reign, he faced the lingering challenges of his father's rule. Egypt was grappling with economic difficulties largely attributed to the massive construction projects of the earlier pharaohs, Khufu and Khafra. Although Menkaura's reforms had somewhat alleviated these economic woes, the kingdom's economy had not fully recovered.
Additionally, King Shepseskaf's reign had strained relations with the powerful priesthood of Ra. In response to these tensions, Queen Mother Khentkaus advised her son to appoint Prince Userkaf as the new High Priest of Ra. Userkaf I, who had a good relationship with Djedefptah and was married to the daughter of a previous High Priest, was seen as a stabilizing choice. Userkaf was installed as High Priest in June 2506 BC, following the death of Babaef II in March 2505 BC.
One of Djedefptah's final significant acts was appointing Seshathotep Heti as the new Vizier of Egypt. However, his reign was cut short when he died on January 15, 2504 BC, at the age of 20 of an ilness. He died unmarried and without an heir, which led to a succession crisis. To prevent civil war, his mother, Queen Khentkaus I, seized the throne and ruled as Queen Regnant until a suitable successor could be found.