Third Intermediate Period

The golden age of Egypt was waning and the Third Intermediate Period began. Characterized by the country's fracturing kingship the priests were becoming increasingly powerful. Ranging from the 21st dynasty to the 24th dynasty the country started off being ruled by the pharaoh Smendes I from the city of Tanis and the High Priests of Amun ruling at Thebes ruling the south of the country.

The country was reunited for a time in the 22nd dynasty but again fell into a civil war engulfing people between the forces of Pedubast, who had proclaimed himself Pharaoh versus the existing line of Takelot II/Osorkon B. Osorkon eventually won the battles but it lead to little relief from the fighting. Egypt then fell back into the dark ages while being ruled under numerous city states within the once great land.

At the end of the Third Intermediate Period the Nubians to the south took full advantage of this division and political instability. The ruler Piye marched north into Egypt and defeated the combined might of several native Egyptian rulers Peftjaubast, Osorkon IV of Tanis, Iuput II of Leontopolis and Tefnakht of Sais. This was the beginning of the 25th dynasty.

With the weakening of single royal authority in the Third Intermediate Period, the temple network emerged as a dominant sphere for political aspirations, social identification, and artistic production. Kings became the doormats for the priests doors.

Little architecture took place during the Third Intermediate Period. However, the creation of bronze temple statuaries of gods, kings, and great temple officials flourished as the bronze age was dawning. Temples now became with the sanctity and safety they offered, favored burial sites for all people. Metal working was hitting an amazing high as gold and other metals were being used elaborately.

Instead of emphasis being placed on the pharaoh alone is was placed on the pharaoh as the child/son of a divine pair. This is seen on a series of delicate relief-decorated vessels and other small objects chiefly in faience and also precious metal. Manifested architecturally in the emergence and development this was seen as well in subordinate temples where the birth of a juvenile god identified with the sun god and the king was celebrated.

21st Dynasty Rulers

Pharaohs in the city of Tanis:

Smendes | c. 1069-1043 BC

Amenemnisu | c. 1043-1040 BC

Pinodjem I | c. 1040-992 BC

Amenemope | c. 992-984 BC

Osorkon I | c. 984-978 BC

Siamun | c. 978-959 BC

Pinodjem II |c. 959-945 BC

Priest in Thebes:

Herihor

Piankhi

Masahart

Djedkhonsefankh

Menkheperre

Iuput

Sheshonq II

22nd Dynasty Rulers

Shoshenq I | c. 945-924 BC

Nimlot I | c. 924

Osorkon I | c. 924-909 BC

Takelot | c. 909-? BC

Shoshenq II | c. ?-883 BC

Osorkon II | c. 883-855 BC

Takelot II | c. 860-835 BC

Shoshenq III | c. 835-783 BC

Pami | c. 783-773 BC

Shoshenq V | c. 773-735 BC

Osorkon IV | c. 735-712 BC

23rd Dynasty Rulers

the main branch of rulers was in Thebes:

Pedubastis I | c. 828-803 BC

Shoshenq IV | c. 803-797 BC

Osorkon III | c.797-769 BC

Takelot III | c. 769-774 BC

Osorkon IV | c. 774-754 BC

Iuput II | c. 754-725 BC

rulers in Hermopolis:

Thotemhat |

Nimlot III |

Djehutiemhat |

rulers in Heracleopolis:

Peftjauwybast |

Nakhke |

rulers in Tanis:

Sekhemkare |

Shepseskare-Imere |

Neferkare-Pepi |

Pedubastis II |

24th Dynasty Rulers

Osorkon |

Tefnakhte I |

Bakenranef |

Padinemti |

Tefnakhte II|c. ?-747 BC