Assuming the throne of a nation at just 10 Years old; Ahmose 1st – The Liberator of Kemet Part I

BY DAVE RANKIN

Could you imagine having to learn about the deaths of your father, and brother within three years of each other as a child? That they died in combat attempting to liberate the country at the hands of foreigners. Then without enough time to grieve, having to assume the throne of a nation as early as ten years old.

With the weight of the responsibilities that would rest upon this newly appointed ruler; what do you think that those types of circumstances would do to a child? Would cognitive development be in question? How about the child’s deductive reasoning skills? Well, that’s a different question to be posed. Are you even considered to be a child at that point? Well even with our struggles, with our day-to-day focuses, could we measure up to what this child had to face back then? Through the myriad of questions we could throw out there, the question that sticks is how this child, grew up equipped with the fortitude to become one of Ancient Kemet’s greatest leaders. It seems to be beyond comprehension. Or is it?

As we approach another “African Liberation Month” also known as Black History Month, examples like the one we will be exploring in this two part series should be used as the spark that enables us to lean on the strength of our ancestors. For as they overcame the impossible with far less, we can as well.

Most Egyptologists list Ahmose 1^st, whose name means, “The Moon is born,” as the founder of the 18^th Dynasty. Normally, a new dynasty would be formed after a break in the line of the royal family. Since there was no break in this case, High Priest Manetho’s research gave the world enough information to truly understand the expulsion of the Hyksos and the rejuvenation of royal blood on the throne. History shows that a new dynasty would suffice. While the dates for when Ahmose 1^st took the throne may vary from 1570 BCE, to 1560 BCE, I have even seen a source as early as 1539 BCE. Manetho attributes the length of his reign to a little over 25 years.

When Ahmose 1^st (sometimes spelt Amosis) was named successor of the throne at ten years old, his given royal name was Neb-Pehty-Re meaning, “The Lord of Strength is Re.” Again at such an early age, what must have been going through his mind at this time is unfathomable.

While there is little written about his life as a child, there are things that we do know. One, Ahmose 1^st followed in the tradition of marrying several of his sisters, with Ahmose-Nefertari being his chief wife. The second, without the support of his mother, Ahhotep who served as regent, this remarkable figure in our history could have gone down a very different path. In the upcoming edition, we will take a look at the life of Ahmose 1^st, and learn more about what made this child a leader in his own right.