Seqenenre Tao (also Seqenera Djehuty-aa or Sekenenra Taa, called ‘the Brave’) ruled over the last of the local kingdoms of the Theban region of Egypt in the Seventeenth Dynasty during the Second Intermediate Period. He probably was the son and successor to Senakhtenre Ahmose and Queen Tetisheri.

The dates of his reign are uncertain, but he may have risen to power in the decade ending in 1560 BC or in 1558 BC (based on the probable accession date of his son, Ahmose I, the first ruler of the Eighteenth Dynasty, see Egyptian chronology). With his queen, Ahhotep I, Seqenenre Tao fathered two pharaohs, Kamose, his immediate successor who was the last pharaoh of the Seventeenth Dynasty, and Ahmose I who, following a regency by his mother, was the first pharaoh of the Eighteenth. Seqenenre Tao is credited with starting the opening moves in a war of revanchism against Hyksos incursions into Egypt. Which saw the country completely liberated during the reign of his son Ahmose I.

Seqenenre Tao
Rishi coffin of Seqenenre Tao
Pharaoh
Reign	Starting 1560 or 1558–1555 BC
Predecessor	Senakhtenre Ahmose
Successor	Kamose
Royal titulary
Consort	Ahhotep I, Ahmose Inhapi, Sitdjehuti
Children	Kamose, Ahmose I, Ahmose-Nefertari, Henutemipet, Meritamon, Nebetta, Sapair, Tumerisy, Binpu, Ahmose, Henuttamehu
Father	Senakhtenre Ahmose
Mother	Tetisheri
Burial	Mummy found in Deir el-Bahri cache, but was likely originally buried in Dra’ Abu el-Naga’
Monuments	Palace and fortifications at Deir el-Ballas
Dynasty	17th Dynasty

Monumental construction

In fact, the relatively short length of the reign of Seqenenre Tao didn’t allow for the construction of many monumental structures. He had built a new palace made of mud brick at Deir el-Ballas. On an adjacent hillside overlooking the river. The foundations of a building found that almost certainly was a military observation post.

A relatively large amount of pottery known as Kerma-ware found at the site. It indicates that a large number of Kerma Nubians were resident at the site. They were there as allies of the pharaoh in his wars against the Hyksos.