Tutkheperre Shoshenq
| Tutkheperre Shoshenq | |
|---|---|
| Shoshenq IIb | |
| Pharaoh | |
| Reign | circa 880's BC (22nd Dynasty) |
| Predecessor | Unknown |
| Successor | Unknown |
Tutkheperre Shoshenq or Shoshenq IIb is an obscure Third Intermediate Period Libyan king whose existence was until recently doubted. In 2004, a GM 203 German article by Eva R. Lange on a newly discovered stone block decoration from the Temple of Bubastis that bore his rare royal prenomen, Tutkheperre, confirmed his existence because his name is found in Lower and Upper Egypt. Tutkheperre's prenomen translates approximately as "Appearance (or Coming Forth) of the Image of Re."
This king was first attested in Ostracon Louvre E.31886 discovered at Abydos in Upper Egypt by Émile Amélineau (1850-1915) in his 19th century excavations. This ostracon is now in the Louvre Museum and was examined by M. A. Bonheme in a 1995 paper titled "Les Chechanquides: Qui, Combien?" According to Bonheme, the Ostracon contains the name 'Tutkheperre [...]Amun| (Shoshenq MeryAmun)|' written in black ink and was discovered among votive deposits, starting from the New Kingdom onwards near the First Dynasty 'Tomb of Osiris' at Abydos in Upper Egypt.
The ostracon evidence was not considered conclusive evidence for this king's existence since the writer of this object was assumed to have mistakenly written the small bird or chick symbol for 'Tut' instead of the Red Crown symbol for Hedj, as in king Hedjkheperre Shoshenq I. However, in her 2004 GM paper, Lange notes that the name Tutkheperre cannot be a mistake for either Shoshenq I or for "Tjetkheperre", Psusennes II's prenomen, because their hieroglyphic symbols are completely different. Secondly, the prenomen Tutkheperre is inscribed in an architectural building in Bubastis (Lower Egypt). Lange's GM 203 article established that this king was genuine and distinct from Shoshenq I or Psusennes II. It examines an architectural fragment from the Great Temple of Bubastis which mentions his unique prenomen and nomen: 'Tutkheperre Shoshenq'. The likelihood of an error here is remote because these stone architectural blocks were created by professionally traine royal artisans who would not mistakenly transcribe a king's throne name onto a royal monument or temple. Tutkheperre Shoshenq's reign was probably brief because he is unattested beyond these two documents.
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