Period of ancient Egypt
Third Intermediate Period Egypt
1069–664 BCE
The Third Intermediate Period began when the New Kingdom state divided. Tanite kings ruled the north while the priests of Amun controlled Thebes, and Libyan dynasties later took the throne. Several lines ruled at the same time, so the chronology is complex.
From about 747 BCE the Kushite kings of the 25th Dynasty took control of Egypt, until Assyrian invasions ended their rule and led to the Saite revival.
Key themes
- Divided authority between Tanis and Thebes
- Libyan royal houses
- Kushite rule of Egypt
- Assyrian invasions
21st Dynasty of Egypt
1069–945 BCE
The 21st Dynasty ruled from Tanis in the Delta, beginning with Smendes I, while the high priests of Amun at Thebes held real power in Upper Egypt.
22nd Dynasty of Egypt
945–c. 715 BCE
The 22nd Dynasty is the Libyan or Bubastite dynasty, founded by Shoshenq I, whose family had long been settled in Egypt.
23rd Dynasty of Egypt
c. 818–715 BCE
The 23rd Dynasty is a group of Libyan-descended kings, associated with Leontopolis and Thebes, who ruled at the same time as the 22nd Dynasty.
24th Dynasty of Egypt
727–715 BCE
The 24th Dynasty is a short line centred on Sais in the western Delta, represented by Tefnakht and Bakenranef.
25th Dynasty of Egypt (Kushite)
747–656 BCE
The 25th Dynasty is the Kushite dynasty, whose kings came from Napata in Nubia.