During the 19th
and 20th dynasty, Egypt was in the spotlight because
of it prosperity at that time. Egypt's neighbors; the Libyans were
eyeing Egypt. In many years they carried out whether attacks or organized
infiltration movements. Egyptians used some other Libyans as mercenaries.
Sheshonq (a.k.a. Shoshenq or Sheshonk) (r. 945 - 924), who descends
from Libyan families, became the first Libyan king of Egypt. He lived
in Herakleopolis and took Bubastis as his stronghold then he seized
Tanis, while the Theban priests fled to the south.
Sheshonq I inaugurated the sequence of the Libyan rulers. He boosted
his ascension for the power by a political marriage, to Maatkare,
the daughter of his Egyptian predecessor, Psusennes II. (Some sources
mention that it was Sheshonq's son, Osorkon, is the one who married
Maatkare)
Sheshonq succeeded to unite Egypt under his grip. He had his sons
appointed in the state's highest positions.
Sheshonq (also known as Shishak) is associated with a Biblical story.
He marched his army to the divided Israeli kingdoms of Judah and Israel
and defeated them.
He then returned victorious to Egypt loaded with booties including
treasures of King Solomon himself:
"And it came to pass, that in the fifth year of King Rehoboam
Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had
transgressed against the LORD," (2Chr.12: 2)
Golden pendant bearing
the name of Osorkon II
image courtesty
of
The Egypt Archive |
"So
Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the
treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's
house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which
Solomon had made." (2Chr.12: 9)
Sheshonq recorded his victories on the walls of the temple of Amun
at Thebes and at Karnak court.
Osorkon I (r. 924 - 909) succeeded his father Sheshonq. He maintained
the same policy of his father in constructions and building at the
city of Bubastis.
He wanted to ensure that the rule in his strong grasps so he appointed
his sons in the highest official ranks of the state. Following years
showed an inter-familiar struggle for the authority.
The succeeding priests were Sheshonq II, Takelot I, Osorkon II,
Takelot II, Sheshonq III, Pami (a.k.a. Pimay), Sheshonq V, Osorkon
IV and finally Harsiese who ruled from Thebes
(Luxor). |
