The Alternative Lifestyle and Loves of Pinudjem II

Pinudjem II was one of the most famous rulers of southern Egypt during the Third Intermediate Period. He gave the world an important pharaoh and also a scandalous love story.

He was a High Priest of Amun from 990 BC – 969 BC and married to two women – Isetemkheb D and Neskhons. The first one was his sister, the second his niece and the daughter of his brother Smendes II, who didn’t rule for very long and was succeeded by Pinudjem.

Problematic Times

Egypt was full of problems during the lifetime of Pinudjem II. It was not uncommon for there to be two different rulers – one in southern and one in northern Egypt. Many pharaohs didn't respect the old ways, and put the country in crisis. In comparison to other rulers, Pinudjem didn't use the title of king. He didn't put his name on cartouches either- something that pharaohs would normally do. But these are not the most important things about Pinudjem, he is known mostly for his decision to arrange reburials of the rulers of the 20th dynasty from their own tombs to one which he believed would be the safest for his ancestors.

In modern Egyptology, Pinudjem is famous for his love affairs as well. He appears as one of the most scandalous people of the Third Intermediate Period. Hints of his story were discovered with the mummies of Pinudjem II, Isetemkheb D, and Neskhons. All of these mummies were found in the mummy cache DB320 – the famous tomb that held many royal mummies from Ancient Egypt.