Amenemhat IV vs Leo II

Amenemhat IV ruled for approximately 10 years, succeeding his father Amenemhat III. His reign was relatively brief and marked by a continuation of existing policies, but it saw the beginning of economic decline. He was the last male ruler of the 12th Dynasty, after which the throne passed to his sister Sobekneferu.

Amenemhat IV dispatched a mining expedition to Serabit el-Khadim in Sinai to extract turquoise. Inscriptions at the site record his name and the expedition's success, indicating that mining operations continued under his rule, though perhaps at a reduced scale compared to his father's reign.

The reign of Amenemhat IV witnessed a gradual economic downturn, evidenced by fewer monumental building projects and reduced administrative records. This decline may have been due to lower Nile floods, reduced trade, or internal administrative issues, setting the stage for the instability that followed the 12th Dynasty.

Leo I proclaimed his grandson Leo II as co-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire. This was done to secure the succession for the young boy, who was the son of Zeno and Ariadne. Leo II was only six years old at the time.

Upon the death of Leo I, Leo II became the sole Eastern Roman Emperor. Due to his young age, his father Zeno was appointed as regent and co-emperor shortly thereafter, effectively ruling in his stead.

Leo II died of a disease, likely natural causes, after a reign of less than a year. His death left Zeno as the sole emperor, ending the brief reign of the child emperor and preventing any long-term impact of his rule.