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(1070 - 664 BC) |
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from Kush
(770 - 657 BC) |
In the extreme south, a Nubian
dynasty was established earlier and their power rose in challenge
to the northern royal houses. At that time the country was divided
between many leaders; King Osorkon IV (at Tanis), King Peftjauabastet
(at Herakleopolis), Nimlot (at Hermopolis), Iuput (at Leontopolis)
and King Tefnakht (at Sais).
Tefnakht of the 24th dynasty realized their growing
threats and swept the northern area, almost uniting it and marched
south to face the Nubian dynasty.
The northern army gained limited success at first against Nubian King
Piankhi (a.k.a. Piyi or Menkheperre) but eventually it was defeated
and forced to retreat back. The vanquished leaders were allowed to
govern their cities but this time as rulers.
Piankhi (r. 750 - 712) then maintained his grip over the power in
at the kingdom of Napata of Nubia and it seems that he preferred to
rule the country from there.
After his death, Piankhi was buried at El-Kurru.
He had a pyramid that is indeed very different than the regular Egyptian
pyramids as Kushite kings used to build much smaller pyramids with
sharper slopes.
Granite sphinx of Taharqa
image courtesy of
The Egypt Archive
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Piankhi was succeeded by his brother Shabaka
(a.k.a. Neferkare, Sabacon) (r. 712 - 698) who ruled for 14 years
and is said to have killed the 24th dynasty's Bakenrenef. Shabaka
was succeeded by his nephew Shebitku (a.k.a. Djedkare) (r. 698 - 690),
Piankhi's son. Shebitku was succeeded by his brother, Taharqa (i.e.
Piankhi's other son) (r. 690 - 664).
This dynasty was associated with confrontations with the Assyrians.
During Taharqa's reign, confrontations reached its peak. Radically
the Assyrians succeeded to capture Memphis
and so Taharqa had to escape to Thebes
(Luxor). In a second time, Assyrians recaptured Memphis and Taharqa
had to escape again but this time to Napata in the south.
Taharqa was succeeded by his defiant cousin (or nephew) Tanutamun
(a.k.a. Tantamani), who attempted to seize Memphis for some period
but Assyrians led by Ashurbanipal eventually took Memphis then the
great city of Thebes, the biggest Egyptian stronghold. Tanutamun (r.
664 - 657) was forced to flee to Napata where he lived safely till
his death. |
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