End of the 19th Dynasty | ||||||||
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Part of Bronze Age collapse | ||||||||
Seti II, the last unquestioned ruler of 19th dynasty Egypt | ||||||||
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Belligerents | ||||||||
Seti II and his supporters |
Amenmesse and his supporters (Contested the throne in phase 1)
| Setnakhte (became a prominent in phase 2) | ||||||
This period of conflicts contributed to the eventual long-lasting decline of the New Kingdom, since the victorious 20th Dynasty would never recover the former status of the preceding New Kingdom dynasties.[1] |
The end of the 19th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt is a period of short-reigning rulers c. 1203–1187 BC. After the death of Merneptah, there was a conflict for the throne between Seti II and Amenmesse, which eventually resulted in the victory of Seti II. Seti II's reign was short, as he died within a year of regaining power. His widow, Tausret, took control with the support of Bay and the puppet Pharaoh Siptah. However, Tausret later eliminated Bay, and Siptah died under mysterious circumstances. This soon triggered a new power struggle between Tausret and Setnakhte. The struggle culminated in the triumph of Setnakhte, who is now remembered as the founder of the 20th Dynasty.