Twosret

Twosret was the final monarch of the Nineteenth Dynasty during the New Kingdom. She served initially as the Great Royal Wife of Seti II. Following his death, she governed as regent during the minority of the young king Siptah, eventually adopting full royal titles and ruling as an independent female pharaoh. She ruled about 1191 to 1189 BC, with dates uncertain by about five years.

Her brief two-year sole reign was centred at Pi-Ramesses. She oversaw the construction of a mortuary temple on the west bank of Thebes and the excavation of a large personal burial place, KV14, in the Valley of the Kings. Her rule concluded amid political instability that brought the Nineteenth Dynasty to an end and saw Setnakhte establish the Twentieth Dynasty.

Scholars know Twosret from her temple foundations, royal seals, and tomb decorations, where she was initially depicted as queen before adopting the full regalia of a king. Her tomb in the Valley of the Kings was later repurposed by Setnakhte.

Monuments

• Tomb KV14
• Mortuary Temple at Thebes

Explore further

Try the name on the Cartouche Desk, or see where the reign falls on the timeline.