Setnakht

king of Egypt

Also known as: Sethnakhte

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

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Setnakht was an Egyptian king of obscure origin who founded the 20th dynasty around 1190 BCE. He is credited with restoring order to Egypt after a period of turmoil. An inscription indicates he faced significant challenges in pacifying the land during the early years of his reign. Setnakht appropriated the tomb of Tausert in the Valley of the Kings. He was succeeded by his son, Ramses III, who became the last great pharaoh of the New Kingdom.1

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ancient Egypt
The early 20th dynasty: Setnakht and Ramses III
Order was restored by a man of obscure origin, Setnakht (ruled c. 1190–88 bce), the founder of the 20th dynasty, who appropriated Tausert’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings. An inscription of Setnakht recounts his struggle to pacify the land,…
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Order was restored by a man of obscure origin, Setnakht (ruled c. 1190–88 bce), the founder of the 20th dynasty, who appropriated Tausert’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings. An inscription of Setnakht recounts his struggle to pacify the land,…
Read More