auskhen

Auskhen was a prominent figure in ancient Egypt, known primarily as the mother of the pharaoh Thutmose II. She lived during the late 18th Dynasty. While her parentage is not definitively known, she is believed to have been of non-royal origin. Auskhen's importance stems from her son, Thutmose II, who ruled Egypt for a relatively short period.

Despite her motherly role to a pharaoh, details about Auskhen's life are scarce in historical records. Her name appears in inscriptions and papyri, primarily in contexts that establish her lineage and connection to the royal family. It is understood that she was not a royal wife herself, and her son Thutmose II was the result of a union between his father, Thutmose I, and a secondary wife or concubine. This circumstance highlights a common practice in ancient Egypt where royal succession and influence could be complex. Auskhen's position as mother of the pharaoh would have afforded her a degree of status and respect within the court, though her specific duties or influence are not well-documented. Her legacy is largely intertwined with that of her son and the broader history of the 18th Dynasty.