Dynasty Notes

During the course of the Third Intermediate Period, the capitol of Egypt moved from Tanis to Nubia, to Thebes, to Sais and back to Nubia and Thebes. Obviously, there was some confusion as to who was ruling Egypt, and the succession of competing dynasties in this kingdom ruled mostly concurrently.

During most of the dynasty, power was shared with t he Theban priests of Amun. The high priests of Amun had their own "dynasty" during this time. Despite the multitude of rulers in different regions of Egypt, this intermediate period was relatively peaceful. Art continued to flourish and the administrative woes that plagued the other intermediate periods does not seem to be a problem now.

The 21st Dynasty ruled Lower Egypt in Tanis. They are possibly the most legitimate of the dynasties during this period. Pharaohs also ruled in the 21st Dynasty from Thebes -- this is the dynasty of High Priests. Some of them took the full royal titulary.

Like the 21st Dynasty, the 22nd Dynasty was split between Upper and lower Egypt. Upper egypt was ruled by Horsiese, a high priest of Amun at Karnak. He was appointed by his cousin, Osorkon II, and while Osorkon ruled in the north, Horsiese took control of the south of Egypt. The rest of the 22nd Dynasty was as series of Libyan kings ruling in Tanis and Bubastis They were recognized over all of Egypt until the rival dynasty in Thebes and Leontopolis rose around 828.

Rulers of the 23rd Dynasty held Thebes early on, but later ruled from Herakleopolis, Tanis, Hermopolis, and Leontopolis. Splitting of the central rule of Egypt into competing centers of power weakened the government considerably,, and probably led to the Kushite attack that took control with the 25th Dynasty and the Late Kingdom.

dynasties

Dynasty XX1
Dynasty XXII
Dynasty XXIII
Dynasty XXIV