Twenty-third Dynasty of Egypt
A Libyan-origin dynasty of the Third Intermediate Period.
The Twenty-third Dynasty, a line of Libyan-descended rulers from the Ma tribe, is typically counted as the third dynasty of Egypt's Third Intermediate Period. These kings governed portions of Egypt during the 9th and 8th centuries BC. Historians still disagree on exactly which rulers belong to this dynasty.
Quick Facts
- Era
- Third Intermediate Period of Egypt
- Government
- Absolute monarchy
- Established
- 837 BC
- Dissolved
- 728 BC
- Capital
- Thebes, Herakleopolis
- Common languages
- Egyptian language
- Religion
- Ancient Egyptian Religion
Facts from the source article.
The Twenth-third Dynasty on the model of Kenneth Kitchen
Much debate surrounds this dynasty, which may have been based at Herakleopolis Magna, Hermopolis Magna, or Thebes. The model created by Egyptologist Kenneth Kitchen arranges a number of kings into a single sequence tentatively attached to Leontopolis, ruling parallel to the surviving 22nd Dynasty at Tanis. This treatment departs from Kitchen's model by attaching King Harsiese and King Takelot II to the series. Although considered a Tanite dynasty because it originated from Tanis, the Twenty-third Dynasty never reigned there; the Twenty-second Dynasty held Tanis and Memphis. Most historians argue the Twenty-third used Leontopolis as its capital, supported by Piankhy's stela locating Iuput II there. However, some historians question Iuput II's inclusion in the dynasty, noting it has not been proven that the dynasty ruled from Leontopolis, only that Iuput II ruled somewhere in the Delta. If Iuput II is the sole connection, Piankhy's stela would not confirm Leontopolis as the capital.
The Twenty-third Dynasty on the post-Kitchen model
Kitchen's treatment of the 23rd Dynasty as a unitary line has been criticized and largely abandoned in favor of a definition closer to Manetho's. There is increasing consensus to designate as the 23rd Dynasty a line of kings at Tanis who reigned after the death of Shoshenq V, until and beyond the takeovers by Bakenranef of the Saite 24th Dynasty and then by Shabataka of the Kushite 25th Dynasty in 712 BC. Frédéric Payraudeau's comprehensive recent model lists the Tanite 23rd Dynasty kings as Sehetepibre Pedubast II (c. 730–725 BC), Usermaatre Osorkon IV (c. 725–716 BC), possibly an interruption by Bakenranef, then Neferkare Pami II (c. 712–702 BC), possibly an interruption by the Kushites, followed by Shepseskare Gemenefkhonsbak, and Pedubast III (c. 670 BC). Royal lines in other parts of the country reigning alongside the 22nd and 23rd Dynasties at Tanis are labeled alternately by different scholars. Payraudeau also identifies a Theban Line (including Hedjkheperre Harsiese, Takelot II, Iuput I, Osorkon III, Takelot III, Rudamun, and Ini), a Rival Theban Line (Pedubast I and Shoshenq VI), a Herakleopolitan Line (Peftjauawybast), a Hermopolitan Line (Djehutyemhat and Nimlot I), and a Leontopolitan Line (Iuput II).
More in Dynasties of Ancient Egypt
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