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(1070 - 664 BC) |
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From Thebes and Tanis respectively
(1070 - 945 BC) |
When
Ramesses
XI died, Herihor, the then high priest of Amun ,
ascended the throne. Herihor and another one called Smendes, who probably
had some kinship with the 20th
dynasty, divided the country between them.
Herihor took Upper Egypt under his dominion, while Smendes (r. 1070
- 1044) took Lower and Middle Egypt and started a dynasty of his own,
that is the 21st.
Thus the rest of priests of the 20th dynasty were actually contemporaries
to the new 21st dynasty.
Painted wooden Stela
of Neshkons, Queen
of Pinedjem II
image courtesy of
The Egypt Archive |
Capital of Upper Egypt was Thebes
(Luxor) while that of the Lower Egypt was Tanis.
Herihor was aged when he seized power at Thebes. A kin of him called
Piankh succeeded him. Piankh had also a short
life and was soon succeeded by his son Pinedjem I.
Pinedjem I maintained good relations with the northern dynasty.
A number of priests and kings followed in the two dynasties. Evidences
tell us about the power struggles and plots between the priests to
seize the throne.
At Thebes successors of Pinedjem I were Masaherta, Menkheperre,
Smendes II, Pinedjem II and finally Psusennes III.
At Tanis, Amenemnisu succeeded Smendes I then Psusennes I, Amenemope,
Osorkon and the elder Siamun, and finally Psusennes II.
There are no evidences that skirmishes took place between the two
entities, which indicated they both accepted each other.
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