Osorkon the Elder facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Osorkon the Elder |
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| Osochor | |
Block-relief attributed to Osorkon the Elder
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| Pharaoh | |
| Reign | 992 – 986 BC (21st Dynasty) |
| Predecessor | Amenemope |
| Successor | Siamun |
| Children | possibly Karimala |
| Father | Shoshenq A |
| Mother | Mehtenweshkhet A |
| Died | 986 BC |
Osorkon the Elder was an important pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. He was the fifth king of the 21st Dynasty. What makes him special is that he was the first pharaoh who came from the Meshwesh people. The Meshwesh were an ancient Libyan group. People sometimes call him Osochor. This name comes from an old book about Egyptian history by a writer named Manetho.
Who Was Osorkon the Elder?
Osorkon the Elder was the son of a powerful leader named Shoshenq A. Shoshenq A was known as the Great Chief of the Ma. Osorkon's mother was Mehtenweshkhet A. She was given the important title of 'King's Mother' in old documents.
Osorkon had a brother named Nimlot A. Nimlot was also a Great Chief of the Ma. Osorkon was the uncle of Shoshenq I. Shoshenq I later started a new royal family, the 22nd Dynasty.
For a long time, historians weren't sure if Osorkon the Elder really existed. But in 1963, a scholar named Eric Young found proof. He looked at old temple records from Karnak. These records showed that a priest was appointed in the second year of a king named Aakheperre Setepenre. This happened one generation before the priest's son was appointed in the 17th year of King Siamun. Young believed this King Aakheperre Setepenre was the missing Osochor.
Later, in 1976, another scholar, Jean Yoyotte, found more evidence. He noted that a Libyan king named Osorkon was the son of Shoshenq A and Lady Mehtenweshkhet A. This document clearly called Mehtenweshkhet the "King's Mother." Since no other king named Osorkon had a mother named Mehtenweshkhet, it was finally confirmed. Aakheperre Setepenre was indeed Manetho's Osochor.
Family Connections
Osorkon the Elder's mother, Mehtenweshkhet A, was also the mother of Nimlot A. Nimlot A was the Great Chief of the Meshwesh. This means she was the grandmother of Shoshenq I.
In 1999, Chris Bennett suggested that Queen Karimala might have been Osorkon's daughter. Her name is found in an inscription at the temple of Semna. She is called both 'King's Daughter' and 'King's Wife'. Her name sounds like it could be Libyan. She might have been the queen of either King Siamun or King Psusennes II.
Royal Objects
Historians have found a faience seal and a stone block. These objects name a king Osorkon with the titles Aakheperre Setepenamun, Osorkon Meryamun. For a long time, people thought these belonged to Osorkon IV.
However, in 2000, Frederic Payraudeau suggested they were more likely from Osorkon the Elder. This means that Osorkon the Elder used two different royal names: Aakheperre Setepenre and Aakheperre Setepenamun.
Osorkon's Time as Pharaoh
Based on old records, Osorkon the Elder likely became king in 992 BC. He ruled for about six years. This is mentioned in Manetho's Aegyptiaca.
Osorkon the Elder's rule was important. It showed that Libyan leaders were becoming more powerful in Egypt. His reign set the stage for the 22nd Dynasty, which was founded by his nephew, Shoshenq I. After Osorkon, King Siamun took over. Siamun was either Osorkon's son or another Egyptian ruler.
