Seti II vs Twosret

Early in Seti II's reign, a rival named Amenmesse seized control of Upper Egypt and Nubia, claiming the throne. Seti II was forced to contend with this usurpation, which divided the kingdom and weakened central authority. The conflict lasted several years before Seti II regained control.

After suppressing Amenmesse's revolt, Seti II reasserted his authority over Thebes. He ordered the erasure of Amenmesse's name from monuments and restored the power of the priesthood. This action stabilized the region but did not fully reverse the decline of Dynasty XIX.

Seti II commissioned his tomb in the Valley of the Kings (KV15). The tomb's decoration was left incomplete, reflecting the troubled times. It was later usurped by later pharaohs. The tomb provides archaeological evidence of the period's artistic and political instability.

After Siptah's death, Twosret assumed the throne as pharaoh, taking the throne name Sitre Meryamun. She was one of the few women to rule Egypt in her own right. Her reign marked the end of Dynasty XIX, as she was the last ruler of that line.

Twosret began construction of a large tomb in the Valley of the Kings (KV14), originally intended for her and later usurped by Setnakhte. The tomb's decoration shows her as pharaoh, with scenes of her offering to gods. It was one of the largest tombs of the period.

Twosret's reign was ended by a revolt led by Setnakhte, who claimed the throne and founded Dynasty XX. She was likely killed or deposed, and her name was erased from many monuments. This event marked the end of the Ramesside line of Dynasty XIX and a period of civil strife.