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The parentage of Takeloth II is open to dispute - Kitchen in his 'Third Intermediate period in Egypt', identifies Harsiese as the father, while Dobson in his book 'Monarchs of the Nile' indicates that there is complete ingnorance about his parentage.
It is sure that Takelot II was married to Osorkon II's granddaughter, Karomama (D) - daughter of Nimlot (High Priest of Amun at Thebes). Takelot II and Karomama had a son and hier to the throne - Prince Osorkon.
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Statue of Queen Karomama II, daughter of Nimlot and wife of Takelot II. Height 59.5 cm The statue shows her in her role of 'Divine Adoratrice of Amun'. Inlaid with silver and gold. |
The relantionship with Thebes
While Nimlot remained High Priest of Amun, Thebes and Tanis enojoyed a reasonably good relantionship - it was during this period (that lasted almost a decade) that several of Takelot II's daughters were sent from Tanis to Thebes to become wives of Theban dignitaries (Shebensopdet B was married to Djedkhonsefankh C, Istweret B married Nakhtefmut C, others daughters sent to Thebes may include Irbastudjatjau and Diesenesyt who married future viziers).
When Nimlot died, it is not known exactly when, most probably by Year 11, Nimlot's sons (Ptahudjankhef and Takelot) were both ingorned for the role of High Priest, instead Takelot II sent his son - the Crown Prince Osorkon.
In Year 11 Prince Osorkon sailed for Thebes, encouraged by the god Arsaphes to 'suppress wrong-doing'. The journey south was spent on works of restoration and supressing any opponents that stood against him. On reaching Thebes, priests accused of 'irregularities' in the administration and cult of the temple were tried, executed and had their corpses burnt. Following this show of force Prince Osorkon would return three times a year for the great festivals and also the keep the king's stamp of authority on Thebes.
Civil War
In Year 15 suddenly and unexpectedly Egypt was enveloped in civil war, this was due to last for nearly 10 years - until Year 24 of Takelot II. A policy of reconciliation was adopted it agreed that the repressive tactics of Prince Osorkon had failed. A fleet of the king's ships sailed for Thebes again led by Prince Osorkon - once there he made rich offerings to Amun, and promised gifts in years to come, thus insuring peace in Egypt.
The death of Takelot II
Peace lasted in Egypt for 2 years, until once again in Year 26 Thebes and the land south suddenly erupted into civil war. This last act of defiance from Thebes seems to have been the final undoing for Prince Osorkon, an inscription of the time states '.... he was there quite alone, such that there was not one friend [with him(?)]. Thebes had won its independence from Tanis, Osorkon had lost his position of the High Priest and most probably lost control of Upper Egypt too.
But this was to carry an even worse disaster for Prince Osorkon: while the prince was still absent from Tanis, the King Takelot II died and a younger brother Shoshenq became the next pharaoh - Shoshenq III. Although Prince Osorkon was the Crown Prince and heir to the throne he had lost his right to kingship and was to serve under this new king.
