Bleda vs Smenkhkare

Upon the death of their uncle Rugila, Bleda and his brother Attila became joint rulers of the Hunnic Empire. This co-rulership marked the beginning of a period of aggressive expansion and diplomatic pressure on the Roman Empire.

Bleda and Attila negotiated the Treaty of Margus with the Eastern Roman Empire, securing a tribute of 700 pounds of gold per year and the return of Hun refugees. This treaty demonstrated Hun military leverage and established a pattern of Roman payments.

Bleda and Attila launched a major campaign against the Eastern Roman Empire, sacking cities along the Danube frontier. This aggression forced the Romans to increase their tribute payments and cede territory, expanding Hun control in the Balkans.

Bleda was killed, likely on the orders of his brother Attila, during a hunting expedition. This assassination ended the co-rulership and left Attila as the sole ruler of the Huns, enabling his later campaigns against the Roman Empire.

Evidence suggests Smenkhkare may have served as co-regent with Akhenaten in the final years of the latter's reign. Inscriptions from Amarna show them ruling together, possibly to manage the transition of power. This co-regency, if it occurred, was brief and ended with Akhenaten's death.

Smenkhkare ruled for a very short period, likely less than a year, during the turbulent Amarna period. He succeeded Akhenaten and may have been a co-regent before becoming sole ruler. His reign is poorly documented, and his identity remains debated, with theories suggesting he was a brother or son of Akhenaten.

Smenkhkare is believed to have been buried in Tomb KV55 in the Valley of the Kings. The tomb contained a mummy, a gilded coffin, and canopic jars, but the identity of the occupant is disputed. The burial was disturbed in antiquity, and the remains have been linked to both Smenkhkare and Akhenaten.