| Smendes VIII the Foolish | |
|---|---|
| |
| Pharaoh of Egypt | |
| Reign | 11 December 1112 – 19 February 1118 |
| Coronation | 20 January 1113 (Mennefer) 24 March 1113 (Waset) |
| Predecessor | Siamun VIII |
| Successor | Pasebakhaenniut IX |
| Born | August 27, 1062 Palace of the Vinyard, Hut-Nesut, Egypt |
| Died | February 19, 1118 (aged 55) |
| Spouse | Tiye XXI Nefertiti XVIII Hatshepsut XVIII Ahmose XXXVII Twosret VI Khentkaus XVIII Khameranebty XI |
| Issue | Pasebakhaenniut IX Mentuhotep Sobekemsaf Teti Henutsen Henutmira Nefertiti Amunneferu Nefertari Tiaa |
| Full name | |
| Horus Name: Kanakht Tutmesut Nebty Name: Wehemmesut Sekhemkhepesh Wahemibra Golden Horus Name: Heruhermaat Sekhepertawy | |
| House | Sahura |
| Father | Siamun VIII |
| Mother | Henutsen XI |
| Religion | Kemetism |
Smendes VIII (August 27, 1062 – February 19, 1118), also known as Smendes the Foolish, was a Pharaoh of Egypt during a tumultuous period in the nation's history. He ascended to the throne on December 11, 1112, following the death of his father, Siamun VIII. Born in the now-destroyed palace of the Vineyard in Hut-Nesut, he was the eldest son of Throne Prince Siamun and one of his lesser consorts, Henutsen XI. His early life was marked by a comprehensive education in Mennefer, where he excelled in military tactics and personal combat. Despite his early promise and notable military achievements, including quelling the Djedu rebellion, Smendes' reign was marred by disastrous campaigns against Nubia. His aggressive actions and strategic blunders ultimately led to his death in battle and significant territorial losses for Egypt. His reign is remembered as a period of mismanagement and failure, earning him the moniker "Smendes the Foolish."
Name[]
the King was named Nesbanebdjed Sasiamun Betsahura meaning He belongs to the ram, the lord of Mendes, son of Siamun (VIII), of the House of Sahura, upon ascending the throne he assumed the Horus Name: Kanakht Tutmesut Seusertawy; meaning: Victorious bull, the (very) image of (re)birth; the Nebty Name: Wehemmesut Sekhemkhepesh Wahemibra meaning: He who renews the births, strong with a sword, Who has renewed the will of Ra; Golden Horus Name: Heruhermaat Sekhepertawy, meaning: He who is satisfied with the Maat, he who makes the two lands come to existence; Praenomen: Djosermaatra - Setepenmin: Holy is the justice of Ra, chosen by Min; Nomen: Nesbanebdjed, meaning: He belongs to the ram, the lord of Mendes
Early Life[]
Smendes was born on August 27, 1062, during the prosperous reign of his great-grandfather, Senusret VI The Good. He was the son of then Throne Prince Siamun and one of his lesser consorts, Henutsen XI. His birthplace was the now-destroyed palace of the Vineyard in Hut-Nesut. As the eldest son and second child of his father, Smendes was third in line to the throne. During his early years, Smendes resided in Hut-Nesut. At the age of 8, he was brought to Mennefer to receive a comprehensive education. Under the tutelage of the Throne Prince, he was instructed in battle tactics, economy, history, and geography. Smendes showed great interest in military matters and quickly excelled in personal combat. By 1080, he was recognized as one of the most capable fighters in the Egyptian army. To test his great-grandson's prowess, Senusret VI sent Smendes on a mission to expel a group of Arab invaders in the Biau Peninsula. Smendes successfully expelled the invaders, killing 3,000 and capturing an additional 2,100. Senusret VI was pleased with Smendes' performance and, in 1081, presented him with his first wife. On June 12, 1083, Smendes' first son was born, and he was named Psusennes.
Senusret VI passed away on September 27, 1092, and was succeeded by Seti V. During his grandfather's reign, Smendes continued to distinguish himself as a notable general. In response to the Djedu rebellion during the Busirite uprising on August 23, 1102, King Seti V entrusted his grandson to lead the right flank in a pincer maneuver while he led the left flank. The rebel forces were surrounded and crushed by the immovable wall of shields created by Seti V, while Smendes relentlessly pushed the enemy towards Seti's shield wall. By the end of the day, the rebellion was thoroughly defeated. Smendes earned the moniker "Hammer of Victory," while Seti V was celebrated as the "Immovable Anvil."
King Seti V remained on the throne for four more years until his death from old age on November 8, 1107. He was succeeded by Siamun VIII, Smendes' father.
Siamun VIII was a stark contrast to his predecessors, he was known for his jovial nature and love of sweet wines, which earned him the nickname "the Drinker." Despite his fondness for drink, Siamun VIII was a shrewd ruler. His reign saw the increasing threat posed by Nubia. In response, he ordered the reinforcement of border cities and the establishment of new garrisons in the southern cities. These strategic measures ensured that Egypt remained at peace during his reign.
Reign[]
Acession[]
Smendes acceded to the throne on December 11, 1112, becoming King Smendes VIII. His reign began tumultuously. Shortly after his coronation in Thebes, the king received word from Edfu that Syene had been attacked by a small Nubian contingent. King Smendes decided to respond by sending a small group of soldiers to attack the Nubian border. During this attack, the brother of the Nubian monarch was killed in the fighting. In response, Qore Aspelta IV sent diplomats to sue for peace, but King Smendes sent them back with their ears cut off. Recognizing the act as a declaration of war, King Aspelta raised his army while King Smendes prepared to march on Nubia with the intention of re-conquering it.
Nubian War[]
In April 1114, King Smendes crossed the border into Nubia, encountering little resistance. By August, he reached Buhen and began to besiege the fortress-city. Buhen fell on January 3, 1115, but during the siege, the king received an arrow wound to the arm and returned to Syene to recover. The Egyptian army continued upstream, capturing Inek, Chenem-Waset, and Inebu Amenemhat by September. However, while marching to their next target, Donqal, the Egyptian army was ambushed from the rear by the Nubian army led by King Aspelta IV and Crown Prince Shebtiku. The Egyptians were caught between attacks from Inebu Natakamani in the rear and Napata in the front. The Egyptian army was crushed, with one-third of the force killed.
News of the disaster reached the Pharaoh stationed in Syene, causing panic in the court. Desperate, King Smendes decided to send another force into Nubia to slow Aspelta's advancing army, which had already liberated Chenem-Waset and Inek. The two armies clashed on the outskirts of Buhen, but once again, King Aspelta emerged victorious, destroying the Egyptian garrison and completely eliminating the attacking force. When Aspelta IV arrived in Neferuanuket in April 1117, he ordered the city to surrender, which it did shortly afterward. The Egyptian garrison was captured and sent to Napata. Upon hearing of Neferuanuket's fall, King Smendes ordered every soldier in the region to defend Syene, where he himself would lead the troops. He sent Crown Prince Psusennes north to gather soldiers and mount a second defensive line in Waset.
Fall of Syene[]
The Nubian army reached Syene on February 12, 1118. King Smendes VIII deployed his forces, and for the first five days, the Egyptian army managed to hold off the Nubians, though both sides suffered heavy casualties. However, in the early morning of February 18, 1118, the Nubian army infiltrated Syene while most of the Egyptian army was sleeping. The city was sacked, and the population was taken captive. The Pharaoh escaped with a small contingent but was pursued by the Nubian army. Around midday on February 19, 1118, Pharaoh Smendes VIII was slain by King Aspelta IV. According to contemporary historian Hesyamun Sahenwy, the king was felled by 16 arrows that pierced his legs and chest. As he lay on the ground, King Aspelta IV approached, took Smendes' sword, and beheaded him.
Aftermath[]
King Aspelta IV displayed Smendes' body on his ship's prow as he marched to Edfu. The city immediately surrendered, but King Aspelta still sacked it. He then sent the Pharaoh's body to be mummified. The new King Psusennes sent envoys to negotiate peace with the Nubian camp. The peace treaty stipulated that Nubia would receive 37 tons of silver from the Egyptian treasury, annex the Egyptian cities up to Edfu, and that Egypt would pay for their reconstruction. The Egyptian captives would be returned, along with the body of King Smendes VIII.
During the transfer of the Pharaoh's corpse, Smendes suffered one final humiliation: his head fell off from his mummified body and into the dirt. Smendes was then buried in a small tomb with little ceremony and few decorations. The king was provided with only 24 shabtis, as King Psusennes could not spare the funds to properly furnish the tomb.
Legacy[]
Smendes VIII, remembered as "Smendes the Foolish," left a contentious legacy in Egyptian history. His reign is often characterized by his aggressive military campaigns and strategic missteps, most notably his ill-fated war against Nubia. His decision to dismiss peace overtures and provoke a full-scale conflict led to significant losses for Egypt, both in terms of territory and lives. The Nubian campaign, which resulted in the fall of key cities and his eventual death, marked a period of decline and vulnerability for the Egyptian state. Despite his military prowess and early promise as a warrior and tactician, his reign highlighted the dangers of overconfidence and impetuosity in leadership. His inability to secure lasting peace and stability overshadowed his earlier achievements, such as his notable role in the Djedu rebellion. Smendes' death and the subsequent humiliations, including the mishandling of his mummified body, symbolized the disarray and desperation that characterized the final years of his rule. His successor, Psusennes, faced the daunting task of restoring order and negotiating peace under adverse conditions. The peace treaty with Nubia, which involved significant concessions, further tarnished Smendes' reputation.
Marriages and Issue[]
| Wife | Rank | Sons | Daughters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiye XXI, 22/2/1062 - 3/6/1130 | Great Royal Wife | Pasebakhaenniut IX, 12/6/1083 - 8/6/1140 | Henutmira, 24/9/1086 - 11/4/1150 |
| Nefertiti XVIII, 24/3/1063 - 16/7/1131 | Second Queen | Mentuhotep, 22/5/1088 - 2/3/1118[1] | Nefertiti, 2/6/1088 - 25/10/1133 |
| Hatshepsut XVIII, 5/4/1064 - 1/6/1119 | Third Queen | Henutsen 30/5/1085 - 6/1/1167 | |
| Ahmose XXXVII, 16/12/1065 - 2/10/1103 | Fourth Queen | Sobekemsaf, 14/2/1090 - 14/1/1131 | Nefertari, 15/5/1095 - 23/11/1150 |
| Twosret VI, 26/5/1065 - 13/5/1153 | Imperial Consort | Tiaa, 21/8/1098 - 24/2/1163 | |
| Khentkaus XVIII, 12/8/1065 - 21/9/1147 | Imperial Consort | Amunneferu, 23/7/1091 - 3/3/1139 | |
| Khameranebty XI, 17/8/1068 - 2/9/1134 | Imperial Consort | Teti, 23/11/1101 - 31/7/1181 |
- ↑ Died due to injuries sustained in battle during the Nubian war