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Who was Sobekkare
Searched on April 2, 2025 at 8:23 pm
Sobekkare Sobekneferu, often referred to as Sobekneferu, was a female pharaoh who ruled Egypt at the end of the Twelfth Dynasty www.wonderopolis.org.
Key Facts About Sobekneferu:
- Reign: She governed Egypt for approximately four years, from 1806 to 1802 BC www.geni.com.
- Dynasty: Sobekneferu was the last ruler of the 12th Dynasty www.wonderopolis.org, www.geni.com.
- Family: It's believed that her father and brother were pharaohs before her www.wonderopolis.org. Some sources suggest she may have been married to Amenemhat IV, possibly her brother en.wikipedia.org. However, the titles "King's Wife" or "King's Sister" are not confirmed for her en.wikipedia.org. There is speculation that Sobekhotep I and Sonbef, kings of the Thirteenth Dynasty, might have been Amenemhat IV's sons en.wikipedia.org.
- Name: Her name combines "Sobek," the crocodile god, with "Neferu," meaning "beauty" en.wikipedia.org.
Image of a statue of Sobekneferu.
Sobek and Ancient Egyptian Religion:
Sobek was an ancient Egyptian deity depicted as a crocodile or a man with the head of a crocodile en.wikipedia.org.
- God of: Sobek was associated with military prowess, fertility, and protection from the dangers of the Nile en.wikipedia.org.
- Worship: His worship was prominent from the Old Kingdom through the Roman period en.wikipedia.org. The pharaoh was sometimes praised as the living incarnation of Sobek en.wikipedia.org.
Image of the crocodile god Sobek.
Sobekneferu's Rule and Legacy:
- Accession: Sobekneferu likely ascended to the throne due to the absence of a male heir to Amenemhat IV en.wikipedia.org.
- Historical Significance: She was one of the few women to rule Egypt as pharaoh en.wikipedia.org. Other notable ruling queens include Hatshepsut www.ucl.ac.uk.
A relief of an Egyptian Queen, whose identity is debated.
- Limited Evidence: Compared to other rulers, fewer monuments and artifacts are attributed to her, possibly because they were located in less well-preserved areas www.ucl.ac.uk. Knowledge about her was limited until the 19th century www.wonderopolis.org.
Ruins in El Lahun, Egypt.
In conclusion, Sobekneferu, whose name means "the beauty of Sobek", was a significant figure in ancient Egyptian history as one of the few female pharaohs. While details of her reign are still emerging, her role as the last ruler of the 12th Dynasty marks an important transition in Egyptian history.