Sheshonq was the commander in chief of the armies and advisor to his father-in-law Psusennes II (of the 21st Dynasty). Sheshonq was a strong leader, and managed to bring Egypt under the control of one pharaoh, at least for a while. He maintained centralized power by placing his sons and other family members in key political positions all over Egypt, and ended the separation of the 21st Dynasty into pharaohs and high priests. His son Nimlot ruled over Middle Egypt from Herakleopolis and his second son, Iuput, was the High Priest of Amun at THebes. He also married his daughter Tashepenbastet to another of the prophets in Amun.

Sheshonq ruled for about 21 years,d during which time he managed to consolidate power back to the pharaoh-ship, begin building projects, and reunited Egypt. He began a funerary cult for his father, Nimlot, in Abydos and was granted permission by the king of Egypt, probably at that time his father-in-law, Psusennes II. It is usually believed that the transition from the divided 21st Dynasty to the consolidated 22nd Dynasty was a peaceful one. There is no evidence of usurpation or force in Sheshonq's rise to the throne.

THe best known of his military campaigns was against the kingdom of Judah and Israel, and in fact some believe that this name has been mentioned in the bible. he conquered Jerusalem and nearby cities in about 925 BCE However, it is likely that the dates and details of these expeditions are somewhat skewed by some egyptologist who hold that the bible is the primary source of historic data and have "adjusted" the timing o things to better match their theories.

He undertook ambitious building projects, including adding to Karnak and to the temples in Memphis. He added a colonnaded forecourt to the hypostyle hall at Karnak. This is the first work done to the Temple of Amun in Karnak since the end of the 19th Dynasty.

Nimlot I, one of his sons, was a local ruler in Herakleopolis and is best known for reintroducing the custom of daily sacrifices of a bull ot the god Harsafes.

pharaohs

Sheshonq I
Nimlot I
Osorkon I
Takelot
Sheshonq II
Osorkon II
Takelot II
Sheshonq III
Pami
Sheshonq V
Osorkon IV

monuments

Bubastis Portal, Karnak