Alternative History
Advertisement
Senusret X the Sublime
Thutmosi 4 002
Pharaoh of Egypt
Reign 7 March 1700 - 29 June 1760
Coronation June 14 1700 (Mennefer)
1 September 1700 (Waset)
12 October 1700 (Sesostria)
Predecessor Twosret V
Successor Amenhotep VIII
Co-Ruler Amenhotep VIII 1745-1760
Born April 16, 1681(1681-04-16)
Palace of the Papyrus Per-Senusret, Egypt
Died June 29, 1760(1760-06-29) (aged 79)
Spouse Twosret XVI, Nefertari XLI, Isetnofret IX, Nefertiti XXX, Wadjet XIII, Iset X, Hatshepsut XXXVII, Meritamun XIV, Ahmose XLVIII
Issue Amenhotep VIII, King of Egypt
Sobekhotep I, King of Yemen
Amongst others
Full name
Horus Name: Kanakht Tutmesut Geregtawy
Nebty Name: Wehemmesut Sekhemkhepesh Useribra
Golden Horus Name: Userrenput Sehotepibra
Praenomen: Menmaatra Setepenptah Nebtawy
Nomen: Senusret Sabast Meriatum
House Tutankhamun
Father Tutankhamun Saamenhotepsasenusretnesu
Mother Twosret V
Religion Kemetism

Senusret X (Senusret Satutankhamun Hesututankhamun; 16 April 1681 – 29 June 1760) was King of the United Kingdom of Egypt from 7 March 1700 until his death on 29 June 1760. He was the first pharaoh of the Tutankhamunian Dynasty. He was born during the reign of his paternal and maternal great-grandfather, Senusret IX, as the eldest child of the future Twosret V and her first husband, Tutankhamun. He succeeded to the throne in 1700 following the death of his mother. The following year, he married Twosret of Khasu'u, who became his Great Royal Wife. Together, they had 7 children, 4 of whom lived to adulthood. He had another 14 children by his other wives, all of whom reached adulthood.

Senusret's reign is generally seen as a period of transformation. He is regarded as the first of the three great lords, along with Senusret XI and Senusret XII. Among his accomplishments are the conquest of Yemen, the construction of the Nebiriauwer Temple, the weakening of Nubian power, and the crushing of the Puntite Revolution. His reign is highly regarded by historians and the general public alike. He is remembered as a kind and just ruler, due to his achievements, he is often referred to as "Senusret the Sublime." Senusret X reigned for 60 years, one of the longest reigns in Egyptian history, and died at the age of 79 on 29 June 1760.

Early Life[]

Early Life and Education[]

Senusret X was born on 16 April 1681, the son of Crown Princess Twosret and Crown Prince Tutankhamun. He was named after his great-grandfather, Pharaoh Senusret IX, and from birth, he was given the title of Throne Prince. Senusret was seen as the future founder of a new dynasty. He was raised in the Palace of the Papyrus rather than the traditional Palace of the Lotus. There, he grew up alongside Twosret, the daughter of the Duke of Khasu'u, with whom he formed a close bond. In 1686, at the age of four, Senusret experienced his first personal loss when his father, Tutankhamun, died in battle. By the time he was seven, Senusret began his education in preparation for his future role as king. During his first year of study, he was tutored by his great-grandfather, Pharaoh Senusret IX. However, the following year, Senusret IX passed away, and Senusret's mother, Twosret, was elevated to ruling queen, with Senusret becoming Crown Prince.

Preparation for Kingship[]

Queen Twosret's reign was short but marked by peace. During this time, Senusret continued to be groomed for the throne. By the age of 14 in 1695, Senusret began his military training, proving to be a capable fighter. He also demonstrated intellectual aptitude, showing a keen interest in the history of Egypt. In 1697, Senusret fell in love with Wadjet, the daughter of a baronet. However, since she was of lower rank, Parliament decreed that Wadjet could only be his consort, not his Great Royal Wife. The two were married in 1698.

Regency and Ascension to the Throne[]

In 1698, Queen Twosret began formally training Senusret to succeed her. He started attending meetings of the Privy Council, gaining practical experience in governance. In 1699, Queen Twosret became pregnant again and named Senusret as Prince Regent, entrusting him with the affairs of state. Despite his young age, Senusret proved to be an adept administrator, consulting with his mother on key matters. In 1700, Queen Twosret died in childbirth, and Senusret acceded to the throne, thus beginning a new dynasty.

Reign[]

Crown Prince Tutankhamun, 1700-1706, XLIV Dynasty

Crown Prince Tutankhamun, 1700-1706

Acession and Early Reign[]

Senusret X ascended to the throne at the age of 18 after the death of his mother, Queen Twosret V, who died in childbirth. He was crowned on 14 June 1700 in Memphis as King of Lower Egypt, on 1 September in Waset as King of Upper Egypt, and on 12 October in Sesostria as King of the United Kingdom of Egypt. Early in his reign, Senusret X met with ambassadors from several foreign powers, including England, France, the Ottoman Empire, the Holy See, the Safavid Empire, the Mughal Empire, the Ethiopian Empire, and the Portuguese Empire, renegotiating existing treaties.

In December 1700, Senusret’s consort, Imperial Consort Wadjet XIII, gave birth to twins—a boy named Tutankhamun, who became the first Crown Prince of the new dynasty, and a girl, Princess Amenirdis. Unfortunately, the strain of childbirth led to Wadjet's death two days later, which devastated Senusret. In response, the Privy Council and Parliament began pressuring the young pharaoh to remarry. Initially, Senusret refused, but Parliament threatened to declare him married to a candidate of their choosing if he did not remarry within two years. Presented with a list of 26 possible brides, Senusret chose Twosret of Khasu'u, his childhood friend. They reconnected and discovered their shared values, marrying on 29 December 1701. Their first child, a son named Amenhotep (after Senusret’s grandfather), was born on 4 November 1702. Throughout his reign, Senusret would father a total of 18 children who lived to adulthood.

Domestic Policies and Military Actions[]

In 1703, Senusret introduced a controversial inheritance tax based on wealth. Despite Parliament's opposition, the young king stood firm, famously telling them to "get lost" and adding, "This is the payment for your ultimatum." In 1704, he began constructing his tomb, importing large quantities of materials from Lebanon and Punt. During this period, one of his shipments was attacked by Yemeni pirates. In retaliation, Senusret dispatched the royal fleet to attack the Yemeni coastline. In 1705, Senusret resolved three land disputes among the nobles of Upper Egypt, earning him the epithet "the Wise," just as his mother had been known for her just rule.

The Bubonic Plague and the Death of the Crown Prince[]

In early 1706, a bubonic plague outbreak ravaged Egypt, particularly in Sesostria, where a quarter of the population died. Among the victims was Crown Prince Tutankhamun, who succumbed to the disease on 3 April 1706 at the age of 5. Senusret was devastated by the loss, made worse by his inability to attend the funeral. Senusret X responded by locking down Sesostria and ordering the quarantine of any vessel arriving in Egypt that had docked within the past 65 days. In an unprecedented move, he launched an extermination campaign against rats, urging the population to burn any rat they found. However, in Iunet, this decree led to mass hysteria, and two-thirds of the city was burned to the ground. In response, Senusret sent aid to the city and introduced a new strategy: breeding cats on an industrial scale. It is estimated that between 1706 and 1709, the cat population grew to seven times that of the human population. Senusret himself reportedly kept 355 cats in the Palace of the Lotus, and for the rest of his reign, he always had at least one cat by his side. Thanks to these efforts, the rat population was reduced by 80%, and the plague was declared over on 18 June 1708. To honor his late son, Senusret commissioned a shrine and visited it every year on the anniversaries of his son’s birth and death. The years following the plague were marked by peace. During this time, Senusret focused on expanding both his navy and army. In 1716, his ships were attacked again, this time by foreign forces. Enraged, Senusret began formulating plans for retaliation.

Damascus Steel Longsword Gifted to Sobekhotep I King of Yemen, by Senusret X Pharaoh of Egypt

Damascus Steel Longsword Gifted to Sobekhotep I King of Yemen, by Senusret X Pharaoh of Egypt

Conquest of Yemen[]

By 1720, Senusret X had grown determined to put an end to the Yemeni pirate raids by conquering the region. He began drafting plans for the campaign, which were finalized in 1726. To justify the war, Senusret ordered a lightly defended ship to transport goods from Punt, anticipating that Yemeni pirates would attack it. As expected, the ship was raided, providing the pretext Senusret needed to declare war on 19 March 1728. Senusret’s son, Crown Prince Amenhotep, was given command of the invasion forces. The initial assault on Yemeni villages was successful, but Amenhotep was injured after falling from his horse, suffering a broken arm and leg. This left him unable to lead the campaign. His younger brother, Prince Sobekhotep, took command and continued the conquest. Sobekhotep ravaged the Yemeni countryside, capturing 16,000 men. In July 1729, Sobekhotep led an assault on the city of Aden, which fell after a month-long siege. Following this, he launched an attack against Imam Al-Mansur Al-Husayn II, capturing him and forcing his surrender. Sobekhotep sent terms to the Imam, which included a peace agreement finalized in 1730, along with the cession of territories near the Gates of Grief to Egypt.

Senusret X was highly pleased with the successful campaign. Upon the army's return, he personally awarded every soldier a medal and a bag of coins. His generals were each presented with a bag of gold and the prestigious Order of the Gold of Honour. Sobekhotep, who had led the campaign to victory, received the highest honors—he was granted the Order of the Sematawy and the title Duke of Yemen.After the conquest, Yemen was initially made a dominion of Egypt. Senusret X ordered builders and settlers to the region to increase its population and infrastructure, and sent priests to convert the local population. Despite Egypt's military success, the region was far from pacified. The construction of a temple dedicated to Anhur in Aden sparked violent uprisings. Senusret tasked Sobekhotep with an eight-year campaign to fully pacify the territory.

Middle Reign[]

In 1730, Senusret X celebrated his first Sed festival, a traditional Egyptian festival marking a king’s reign. He delayed the festivities to coincide with the return of his army from the Yemeni campaign. The festival began in October and lasted for a month, marking a time of great celebration and consolidation of Senusret's rule. In 1732, Egypt’s long-standing rival, Anlamani V of Kush, passed away. Anlamani had been regarded as a benevolent ruler and a skilled statesman, although his military record was unremarkable. His death led to the accession of Natakamani VII, a ruler widely seen as unpopular, self-indulgent, and ineffectual. Sensing an opportunity to destabilize the southern Kingdom of Kush, Senusret X began funding rebellious factions within the region. By 1735, these tensions erupted into open rebellion in Kush, particularly in the southern regions that had felt neglected since the reign of Atlanersa V. Rather than launching a direct military invasion, Senusret continued to support the rebellion through financial and material backing. The uprising lasted for three years and severely weakened the Kingdom of Kush. Natakamani VII’s inability to effectively address the rebellion contributed to what is widely regarded as the beginning of the begining decline of Nubia within five years, which would eventually lead to its conquest by Egypt in about a century later.

In 1739, Prince Sobekhotep finally subdued the ongoing rebellions in Yemen. As a reward for his success, Senusret X elevated him to the status of King of Yemen, transforming Yemen from a dominion into Egypt’s second constituent kingdom. Yemen was divided into seven nomes: Irekh Peḥu, Irekh Khenti, Meniut Sobekhotep, Dhiban, Meniut Senusret, Meninebu, and Aden. These territories were awarded to notable generals who had participated in the conquest. Sobekhotep was crowned Sobekhotep I, King of Yemen and Duke of Aden, on January 1st, 1740.

Room dedicated to Senusret VIII in the Nebiriauwer Temple

Room dedicated to Senusret VIII in the Nebiriauwer Temple

Rooms dedicated to the Pharaohs in the Nebiriauwer Temple

Design of Rooms dedicated to the Pharaohs in the Nebiriauwer Temple, in this case room of Nebiriau VIII

Room dedicated to Crown Princes Tutankhamun in the Nebiriauwer Temple

Room dedicated to Crown Prince Tutankhamun in the Temple

Room dedicated to Djoser of Lebanon in the Nebiriauwer Temple

Room dedicated to Djoser of Lebanon in the Nebiriauwer Temple

Room dedicated to Crown Princes Thutmose and Amenhotep in the Nebiriauwer Temple

Room dedicated to Crown Prince Thutmose in the Temple identical to that of Amenhotep

Construction Nebiriauwer temple[]

In 1742, during the occasion of his fifth Sed festival, Pharaoh Senusret X initiated the construction of the Nebiriauwer Temple, dedicated to honoring the pharaohs of the preceding dynasty. The temple featured twelve rooms, each devoted to a prominent figure from the Nebirionic Dynasty, seven being the pharaohs Nebiriau VII, Senusret VIII, Tutankhamun V, Nebiriau VIII, Dedumose VIII, Senusret IX, and Twosret V.

Additionally, five rooms were dedicated to other significant individuals from the dynasty. These included Pharaoh Hatshepsut VI, wife of Nebiriau VII and mother of Senusret VIII (who is more commonly associated with the preceding Menkheperuran Dynasty); Crown Princes Thutmose and Amenhotep, grandfathers of Senusret X; Prince Tutankhamun, Crown Prince Consort to Twosret V and father of Senusret X; and Djoser of Lebanon.

Each room was ornately decorated with carvings of trees, lotus flowers, and papyrus, all overlaid with gold. On the eastern wall of each room, the names of the honoree’s parents, spouses, children, and grandchildren were inscribed in hieroglyphs. The southern wall featured a depiction of the Ished Tree, with the name of the honoree carved in hieroglyphs. In front of the Ished Tree stood a twice life-sized seated statue of the honored individual, crafted from gold and encrusted with jewels. These statues were flanked by alabaster and gold-leaf sphinxes, and a small offering table was placed before them.

The western wall of each room depicted the deeds and accomplishments of the honored individual, written in hieroglyphs and overlaid with gold. Notably, in the temple's latrines, Senusret X ordered the names of twelve of the fourteen usurpers to be inscribed as a sign of disrespect. Two names were deliberately omitted: Sobekemsaf V, who refused his nomination, and Sobekneferu VII, who had been a mere pawn of her uncles.

The Nebiriauwer Temple is considered a masterpiece of Egyptian craftsmanship. It was officially opened in 1743, with foreign ambassadors invited to marvel at its grandeur and scale. The temple later opened to the general public and has since become a significant attraction in Egypt's modern tourism circuit. Today, it is the fifth most visited monument in Egypt, following the Pyramids, the Ipetisut Temple complex, the Valley of the Kings, and the two temples of Ipsambul.

Storming of Nesuamun 1746 AD, Pharaonic Survival

Storming of Nesuamun 1746 AD

Restoration of Co-Regency and final years[]

On February 6, 1745, Pharaoh Senusret X appointed his eldest living son, Amenhotep, as co-regent, marking the first instance of a father and son sharing the throne in 900 years, since June 14, 844. Senusret made this decision to ensure stability and familiarize the realm with his successor. Amenhotep became Amenhotep VIII and was crowned in three separate ceremonies: on March 8, 1745, in Mennefer as King of Lower Egypt; on May 20, 1745, in Waset as King of Upper Egypt; and on August 10, 1745, in Sesostria as King of the United Kingdom of Egypt.

However, during these events, troubling news arrived from Punt. On May 24, 1745, King Ramesses XII was overthrown in a revolution. He and his sons were executed by beheading, while his daughters were sold into slavery. Upon hearing this, a horrified Senusret X mobilized his army and dispatched Sobekhotep I to Punt to quell the rebellion. Ramesses XII's brother and his family fled north to the loyalist town of Ta Menhit. Sobekhotep’s forces landed there on July 6, 1745, and sent loyalist Puntite forces to secure the north while Sobekhotep and Seti marched to Nesuamun, the capital. Upon reaching the capital on August 10, 1745, they were met with the grisly sight of King Ramesses XII and his sons’ severed heads displayed on spikes. Sobekhotep laid siege to the city for four months. After capturing it on January 2, 1746, his forces rounded up the revolutionaries and brought them before Prince Seti. Confirming that all of Ramesses XII's sons were dead, Seti was proclaimed King of Punt on January 8, 1746. His first act as king was to execute the rebels by cutting off their limbs, rubbing salt into their wounds they were left exposed to the elements and burned alive as a sacrifice to Ramesses XII the following day.

Sobekhotep left a garrison in Nesuamun, with Crown Prince Senusret, later Senusret VI, in charge of the capital. Senusret led the funeral for his uncle and began the city's rebuilding process. Meanwhile, Sobekhotep I and King Seti XII went to the south of Punt to crush the remaining revolutionaries. Seti's brutality during this campaign earned him the moniker "Seti the Vengeful" or "Bloody Seti." The final rebels surrendered on November 18, 1747. After the revolution, Seti XII renegotiated Punt's treaty with Egypt, allowing for the permanent stationing of Egyptian troops in the country. Senusret X arranged for Queen Mary III of Lebanon to send materials to assist in Punt's reconstruction. He also dispatched the builders of the Nebiriauwer Temple to help rebuild the half-destroyed Nesuamun. This ultimately led to Punt joining the Egyptian Kingdom under Senusret XI.

In 1748, Senusret X celebrated his seventh Sed festival, during which King Seti XII of Punt presented him with a golden dagger with a Damascus steel blade as a gesture of gratitude. Queen Abigail VII of Lebanon also sent a large shipment of cedar wood, which Senusret used to decorate his tomb.In 1750, Senusret became the first pharaoh of the modern kingdom to celebrate a Golden Jubilee. The following year, he transferred most of his responsibilities to his son, Pharaoh Amenhotep VIII, who took over the administration of the state. However, 1750 also saw the death of his great-grandson, Crown Prince Seti, known as "Seti of Child Mortality." This event devastated the king, and his final years were filled with sorrow. In 1752, Senusret initiated a tour of the provinces, where he was cheered by the populace for his many accomplishments, earning him the title "Senusret the Sublime Lord." He is considered the first of the "Three Great Lords," along with Senusret XI and Senusret XII. However, despite his acclaim, the tour did little to lift his spirits. In 1753, Senusret commissioned a shrine to the god Anhur in Mendes, and in 1754, he constructed a remembrance garden, inscribing the names of all the loved ones he had lost: his father, mother, four sons, eight grandsons who died in infancy, and his great-grandson Seti. Senusret's only remaining joy was his great-grandson, Crown Prince Anhurhotep. However, in 1759, Anhurhotep died, robbing the king of his last source of happiness. After this loss, Senusret was never seen to smile again, and his health rapidly declined. Senusret X died on June 29, 1760, at the age of 79, after a reign of 60 years, 3 months, and 22 days, the seventeenth longest reign in Egyptian history.

Legacy[]

Senusret X is remembered as one of Egypt's most influential and dynamic pharaohs, reigning during a period marked by both military expansion and domestic reform. His reign saw Egypt consolidate its power through successful foreign campaigns, most notably the conquest of Yemen and the strategic support of rebellions in Kush, which would lay the groundwork for Egypt's eventual control over Nubia. His decisive actions in quelling the Yemeni uprisings and asserting Egyptian dominance in the region are viewed as key moments in securing Egypt's influence over the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula.

Domestically, Senusret X is celebrated for his progressive taxation policies, which included the controversial wealth-based inheritance tax that solidified his reputation as a pharaoh who put the kingdom's stability above the interests of the elite. His bold stance against Parliament, coupled with his strategic reforms in agriculture and trade, contributed to Egypt’s prosperity during his reign. The plague of 1706, while a tragic event, demonstrated his swift and innovative crisis management. His introduction of large-scale cat breeding to control the rat population became a famous, albeit peculiar, element of his legacy. The eradication of the plague through these methods is still regarded as one of the most unusual but effective public health measures of the ancient world.

Senusret's architectural contributions also left a lasting mark on Egyptian culture and heritage. His Nebiriauwer Temple, dedicated to the Nebirionic Dynasty, became a revered site of pilgrimage and an architectural marvel. The ornate rooms and grand statues, each honoring a past ruler or significant figure, reflect Senusret’s deep respect for history and his desire to immortalize the legacy of those who preceded him. His attention to detail in the temple's design, coupled with the splendor of its decoration, stands as a testament to the artistic and cultural flourishing of Egypt under his reign.

Senusret X’s ability to balance military prowess, domestic governance, and cultural development ensured his enduring reputation. His introduction of co-regency with his son, Amenhotep VIII, marked the return of a significant political tradition in Egypt, aimed at stabilizing the succession and securing the dynasty's future. This innovation contributed to the stability of Egypt long after his death. Senusret X’s final years were spent overseeing Egypt’s transition into an era of greater peace and consolidation. His relationship with foreign powers, particularly Lebanon and Punt, fostered lasting diplomatic ties that would benefit Egypt for decades to come. His decision to entrust his son, Amenhotep VIII, with increasing administrative duties, coupled with the celebration of his unprecedented Golden Jubilee, solidified his role as a king who valued both tradition and progression. By the time of his death, Senusret X had secured his place as one of the great pharaohs of the modern Egyptian kingdom, with his lineage firmly established and his legacy immortalized in Egypt's monuments, political reforms, and territorial expansions. His reign continues to be studied as a period of innovation, leadership, and the blending of tradition with forward-thinking governance.

Family[]

Twosret XVI

Queen Twosret XVI

Name Rank Sons Daughters
Twosret XVI Great Royal Wife Amenhotep VIII, Pharaoh of Egypt, 4/11/1702 - 19/8/1780
Montumose, Prince of Egypt 2/4/1706 - 18/8/1709
Sobekhotep, King of Yemen 22/5/1708 - 22/11/1788
Henutwadjet, Princess of Egypt, 6/11/1704 - 2/2/1772
Henutmut, Princess of Egypt, 23/8/1710 - 14/5/1711
Meretseger, Princess of Lebanon, 19/6/1713 - 25/12/1761
Maathotep, Princess of Egypt 23/9/1715 - 11/8/1719
Nefertari XLI Second Queen Hakor, Prince of Egypt 3/1/1706- 11/4/1763 Neferumaat, Princess of Egypt 25/10/1711 - 11/8/1673
Isetnofret IX Third Queen Nefaarud, Prince of Egypt 22/5/1708 - 26/10/1775 Ankhesenamun, Princess of Egypt 14/9/1712 - 11/8/1807
Nefertiti XXX Fourth Queen Ramesses, Prince of Egypt 2/7/1705 - 21/3/1789 Twosret, Princess of Egypt 15/5/1714 - 13/8/1779
Wadjet XIII Imperial Consort Tutankhamun, Crown Prince of Egypt 19/12/1700 - 3/4/1706 Amenirdis, Royal Duchess of Mendes 19/12/1700 - 15/7/1796
Iset X Imperial Consort Thutmose, Prince of Egypt 22/5/1704 - 16/2/1767 Tuya, Princess of Egypt 22/5/1706 - 2/8/1790
Hatshepsut XXXVII Imperial Consort Intef, Prince of Egypt 30/6/1709 - 19/12/1800 Tetisheri, Princess of Egypt 12/6/1705 - 30/8/1760
Meritamun XIV Imperial Consort Nedjemibra, Prince of Egypt 22/5/1708 - 22/2/1802 Sitra, Princess of Egypt 17/9/1709 - 9/11/1799
Ahmose XLVIII Imperial Consort Hotepsekhemwy, Prince of Egypt 22/5/1703 - 14/9/1762 Nebset, Princess of Egypt 26/8/1707 - 31/10/1802

Navigation[]

Advertisement