Nitocris vs Valerian II

Nitocris became pharaoh after the death of Merenre Nemtyemsaf II, according to later Egyptian tradition. She is considered the first female pharaoh of Egypt, though her historicity is debated and she may be a legendary figure.

Herodotus and other ancient writers attributed the construction of the third pyramid at Giza to Nitocris, though modern scholarship assigns it to Menkaure. This attribution reflects her legendary status as a builder-pharaoh.

According to the historian Manetho, Nitocris committed suicide by flooding a room to avoid capture by her enemies. This story, likely apocryphal, symbolizes the end of the Old Kingdom and the chaos of the First Intermediate Period.

Valerian II was appointed Caesar (junior emperor) by his father Gallienus, ruling over the eastern provinces. This appointment was part of the Valerian dynasty's efforts to secure imperial succession during the Crisis of the Third Century.

Valerian II accompanied his father Gallienus on a campaign against the Sasanian Empire in Mesopotamia. The campaign was inconclusive, with both sides suffering losses, but it demonstrated Roman efforts to defend the eastern frontier.

Valerian II died under unclear circumstances, possibly murdered by the usurper Ingenuus or during a military campaign. His death at a young age ended the Valerian dynasty's plans for stable succession and contributed to the empire's instability.