Takelot II

Takelot II was a pharaoh of Ancient Egypt between 850 BC and 825 BC

Takelot inherited the throne from his father Osorkon II, sharing power with his half-brother Nimlot who was serving as High Priest of Amun at Thebes – though the area of the country Nimlot controlled stretched far beyond the city and was boosted by the support of his sons. In a gesture of friendship common to the period Takelot married Nimlot's daughter Karomama, arguably his own niece.

Nimlot's death around 839 BC resulted in a power struggle at Thebes for control of the south of Egypt which Takelot attempted to pass to his son Osorkon. Egypt's magnates stuck by their king, however, allowing the royal family to defeat the insurrection. However four years later unrest again broke out and this rumbled on for the remainder of Takelot's reign.

This disturbance affected the succession. Takelot had expected that Prince Osorkon would inherit the double crown but his younger son Shoshenq instead maneouvered his way to the throne. Unusually Osorkon was not disposed of but continued a seemingly healthy career, later reclaiming the high priestship.