Amenemope (pharaoh)
| Amenemope |
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 Funeral mask of Amenemope |
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| Reign | 9 years, about 1001–992 BC (21st Dynasty) |
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| Predecessor | Psusennes I |
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| Successor | Osorkon the Elder |
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| Father | Psusennes I (?) |
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| Mother | Mutnedjmet (?) |
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| Died | 992 or 991 BC |
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| Burial | Tanis |
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Amenemope was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the 21st Dynasty. He ruled from about 1001 to 992 BC.
His tomb is one of only three royal tombs from ancient Egypt found undisturbed. It was found in 1939 by French archaeologist Pierre Montet at Tanis. Only the metal objects survived, because the area is wet.
Family
Amenemope may have been the son of Psusennes I and Mutnedjmet. The names of his wife and children are not known.
Rule
Amenemope was already old when he became pharaoh. He may have ruled together with Psusennes I for a few years before becoming the only ruler.
During his rule, Amenemope also held the title "High Priest of Amun in Tanis." His name has been found on funeral items in nine tombs at Thebes. He also worked on a temple chapel near the Giza pyramids and added to a temple in Memphis.
After Amenemope died, he was followed by Osorkon the Elder, who may not have been related to him.
Death
A study of his body showed that Amenemope was a strong man who lived to an old age. He likely died from an infection in his skull that led to meningitis.
Burial
Amenemope was first buried in a small tomb at Tanis. A few years later, he was moved to a room inside the tomb of Psusennes I.
His tomb was found in April 1940 by Pierre Montet and Georges Goyon. Inside, they found a stone coffin box, jars, about 400 small statues called ushabtis, and a wooden coffin covered in gold. The coffin held Amenemope's body. He also wore a gold funeral mask and jewelry. His body and these items are now kept at the Cairo Museum.
Amenemope's burial was simpler than that of Psusennes I, who had a silver coffin and a solid gold mask. Amenemope's coffin and mask were only covered in a thin layer of gold.
Stolen bracelet
In September 2025, a gold bracelet that belonged to Amenemope was stolen from a laboratory at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. A museum worker took the bracelet and sold it. By the time police found out, the bracelet had already been melted down. The people involved were arrested.
