THE LATE PERIOD

525 - 332 BC

Dynasty 27: (First Persian Period)

Cambyses II	Darius I	Xerxes	Artaxerxes I	Darius II	Artaxerxes II
525-522	521-486	485-465	465-424	423-405	405-359
The Persians, led by Cambyses II took over Egypt after their conquest in 525 BC. Writings tell of outrages performed by Cambyses, such as the stabbing of the sacred Apis bull at the Serapeum and the urning of the embalmed body of Ahmose II. He however returned to Persia and ruled from Susa. His successor Darius I took more control over the internal affairs of Egypt and built a temple at the Khargah Oasis and repaired other temples around the country. He completed the canal begun by Necho. While he was fighting against the Greeks at Marathon, the Egyptians took the opportunity to revolt but they were defeated by Darius's successor, Xerxes. The Egyptians tried to revolt again and assassinated Xerxes, who was succeeded by Artaxerxes I, who again put down the revolution and ruled in relative peace for 30 years. Revolution began again during the rule of Darius II, even though he had tried to subdue the people with building works, but the Egyptians, helped by Greek mercenaries, took advantage of family problems within the royal household. This reulted in a form of independence throughout the rest of Darius II's reign and that of his successor Artaxerxes II.

Dynasty 28:

 

Amytrtaeus

404-399

After the death of Darius II, Amytrtaeus, prince of Sais, declared himself king.He managed to assert his authority as far south as Aswan, but little else is known about him.

Dynasty 29:

 

Nefaarud I	Hakor
(Nepherites I) 399-393	(Achoris) 393-380
Nefaarud I moved his Delta capital from Sais to Mendes. He maintained the cult of the Apis bull and there is also evidence of building work during his rule. After his death, his son and a usurper struggled for power but both were overcome by another....	Hakor undertook much rebuilding work. He also made a treaty with Greece but this only lasted 3 years. He kept the Persians at bay using Greek soldiers . He named his son as successor but he was ousted by Nectanebo I

Dynasty 30:

 

Nakhenebef	Djedhor	Nakhthoreb
(Nectanebo I) 380-362	(Teos) 362-360	(Nectanebo II) 360-343
Nectanebo repelled an invasion on Egypt by a combined Persian and Greek army using the Nile inundation to their advantage. During his 18 year reign he restored many temples and built a kiosk in his name on the Island of Philae.	Teos succeeded his father Nectanebo but was unpopular in Egypt because of heavy taxes collected to pay for his army to march against Persia. While he was away his grandson was made king.	Grandson of Teos Nectanebo II returned to the old Egyptian religion and temples were rebuilt. He stood against a Persian advance with the help of Greek mercenaries. However the Greeks fighting on the Persians side were stronger and a defeated Nectanebo was pushed back to Nubia. Nectanebo II was the last native Egyptian Pharaoh.

Dynasty 31: (Second Persian Period)

 

Artaxerxes III	Arses	Darius III
343-338	338-336	336-332
Following the fall of Nectanebo II The country was ruled by Artaxerxes III. The Persians robbed the temples and taxed the people.	When Artaxerxes was recalled to Persia the coutry was ruled by a young successor, Arses, but he only survived 2 years before being murdered by his successor Darius III.	Not much evidence survives about Darius III but he is known to have struck some coins with his name on them. He opened the gates of Egypt to Alexander the Grat in 323 BC and was transferred to high office in Babylon.

GRAECO-ROMAN PERIOD MACEDONIAN KINGS

GRAECO-ROMAN PERIOD

MACEDONIAN KINGS

332 - 305 BC

 

Alexander the Great (Alexander III)	Philip Arridaeus	Alexander IV
332-323	323-317	317-305
A 20 year old Macedonian, Alexander took over from his father Philip II in atacking the Persian empire. He defeated Darius III in 332 and was hailed as Pharaoah, god's son, by the Egyptians. He founded Alexandria at the mouth of the Nile. He restored temples that had been destroyed by the Persians and rebuilt the temple of the holy of holies at Luxor. He is pertrayed worshipping Min on the temple walls at Alexandria. He moved on to Asia and took Babylon, Susa and Persepolis, but died of fever in Babylon in 323 BC.	Simple brother of Alexander. Had carving of sacred barque of Amun done on wall of central shrine at Karnak. Was murdered by his successor, Alexander III's posthumus son.	Son of Alexander III by his Persian wife Roxanne. He became Alexander IV but was also murdered by General of Europe Cassander in 311. Is still listed as king until 305 but the country was being run by Ptolemy I.

THE THIRD INTERMEDIATE PERIOD

1069 - 525 BC

High Priests: (at Thebes)

 

Herihor	Piankh	Pinedjem I	Masaherta	Menkheperre	Smendes II	Pinedjem II	Psusennes III
1080-1074	1074-1070	1070-1032	1054-1046	1045-992	992-990	990-969	969-945
The Amun priesthood owned two thirds of all temple land in the country.They also owned 90% of all the ships and 80% of all resources in Egypt, hence their power. Herihor may have been married to a sister of Rameses XI, hence his position although he was not a king, but he ruled over the Theban area. After Herihor's death, Piankh ruled for a short while but was then succeeded by Pinedjem. At the same time, Smendes ruled the north of the country from Tanis. Pinedjem took on full pharonic titles but still continued to co-rule with Smendes and it seems that the rulers of north and south were all related by marriage. He passed his office to his son Masaherta before he died. Menkheperre took over as High Priest for a short while and was then succeeded by his son Smendes II and another of his sons Pinedjem II. Psusennes III was thought to be a son of Pinedjem II but it is not clear whether he reigned for 5 or 24 years.

 

Dynasty 21: (at Tanis)

 

Smendes I	Amenemnisu	Psusennes I	Amenemope	Osorkon the Elder	Siamun	Psusennes II
1069-1043	1043-1039	1039-991	993-984	984-978	978-959	959-945
After the death of Rameses XI, Smendes declared himself king after marrying one of Rameses daughters. He moved the capital to Tanis, which became a city of obelisks. When he died, a son of Herihor, Amenemnisu took over the throne but was soon replaced by Psusennes I. During this time the civil was war still in progress and some of the rebels were exiled to the western oases, which were held by Lybian chiefs. These kings were buried at Tanis using sarcophagi and riches recycled from Thebes and were found intact in 1939. Amenemope followed from his father Psusennes I and then a short reign by Osorkon the elder is recorded. Siamun reigned for almost 20 years and undertook building work at Tanis by extending the temple of Amun. Biblical records suggest that it was around this dynasty that David was trying to unite the tribes of Isreal and destroy the Philistines. The dynasty came to an end with a 14 year rule by Psusennes II. His daughter Maatkare married Sheshonq to begin the 22nd Dynasty.

Dynasty 22: (at Tanis)

 

Sheshonq I	Osorkon I	Sheshonq II	Takelot I	Osorkon II	Takelot II
945-924	924-889	890	889-874	874-850	850-825
This is referred to as the Libyan or Bubastite dynasty. Sheshonq began the sequence of Libyan chiefs who were to rule Egypt for the next 200 years. Sheshonq brought upper and lower Egypt back together by giving his sons high offices so that he had power over the whole country. He led a campaign to Judah and took all of Solomons treasures. His triumphs were carved into the second pylon at Karnak. Osorkon I succeeded his father and carried on his building programmes. He took on his son Sheshonq II as co-regent in 890 but unfortunately Sheshonq II died before his father. A further son Takelot I continued the bloodline for 15 years but during his reign, the country began to divide again. Osorkon II succeeded as king in 874 but his cousin declared himself as High priest of Amun at Karnak and also as king of the south. Osokon corrected this when his cousin died by declaring one of his own sons as high Priest of Amun. He also erected many buildings to himself, at Memphis, Tanis, Thebes and Leontopolis. He successfully halted an attack by the Syrians. After his death, he was succeeded by his son Takelot II and north and south was again joined through the marriage of his half brother, Nimlot, who was High Priest of Amun at Thebes to his daughter. When his half brother died there were more rebellions, which he eventually crushed.

 

Sheshonq III	Pami	Sheshonq V	Osorkon IV	Harsiese (at Thebes)
825-773	773-767	767-730	730-715	870-860
Sheshonq III, who was the younger brother of Nimlot took over power after the death of Takelot II and reigned for 53 years. At this time the Thebans once again gained power over the south with Chief High Priest Harsiese. He also had to contend with problems in the Delta, when a prince named Pedibastet proclaimed a new dynasty.

Dynasty 23: (at Leontopolis)

 

Pedibastet	Sheshonq IV	Osorkon III	Takelot III
818-793	793-787	787-759	764-757
Pedubaste I was the first king of the Twenty-third Dynasty. He is mentioned several times in the inscriptions at Karnak and is thought to have been the son of Harsiese, the high priest of Amun. He reigned for 25 years and was succeeded by Sheshonq IV, followed by Osorkon III, who reigned from Leontopolis, with Sheshonq III at Tanis. After Sheshonq's death, Osorkon made his son Takelot III High Priest and ruler of Herakleopolis. Meanwhile an obscure king called Pami, ruled at Tanis before being succeeded by his son Sheshonq V followed by his son Osorkon IV.

Rudamon	Iuput	Peftjauabastet	Nimlot
757-754	754-715
This time was very confusing with names and dates being unclear and many men claiming to be kings. Peftjauabastet, a commander from Herakleopolis, was married to Takelott's niece, who was also Rudamon's daughter and was claiming the throne at the same time as Iuput from Leontopolis and Nimlot from Hermopolis. It is believed that each one ruled over a small part of Egypt and kept the Nubians at bay.

Dynasty 24: (at Sais)

Tefnakht	Bakenrenef
727-720	720-715
Tefnakht ruled from the Delta but organised the northern kings to fight against the invading Nubians led by Piankhi. Eventually the northern kings surrendered to Piankhy but he allowed them to continue to run their own territories and Tefnakht retreated to Hermopolis. (Bakenrenef was known in Greek myth as the Bocchoris who fought with Herakles.)

Dynasty 25 : (Nubian/Kushite)

 

Piankhi	Shabaka	Shebitku	Taharqa	Tamutamun
747-716	716-702	702-690	690-664	664-656
Piankhi (Piyi) defeated the four Egyptian kings in about 727BC but reinstated them all as governors. He prefered to rule from Napata in the south. He maintained the cult of Amun at Karnak and celebrated the Opet festival as well as continuing Egyptian customs.The Kushite kings also used similar burial customs except that their pyramid tombs were smaller and more pointed.	Shabaka was the brother of Piankhi and he also followed Egyptian customs. He undertook much building work at Thebes, west and east banks and at Memphis, Abydos, Dendera, Esna and Edfu. Was buried in a steep sided pyramid at el-Kurru like his brother.	Nephew of Shabaka stood against a Syian revolt, allied with the Palestinians and Phoenicians. Events of these campaigns were drawn on reliefs at the palace of Nineveh and are now on display at the British Museum.	Taharqa succeeded his brother and Egypt underwent a quiet period. He did undertake widespread building throughout Egypt and Nubia. His re erected column can be seen in the first court at Karnak. There were frequent clashes with the Asyrians, Taharqa lost Memphis and fled to his capital at Napata, leaving the mayor of Thebes to surrender to the Asyrians.	Tamutamun, Taharqa's cousin became co regent and took over on his death. He regained Aswan, Thebes and Memphis but his victory was shortlived when Memphis fell again followed by the sacking of the treasury at Thebes. The Asyrians held Egypt while Tamutamun stayed at Napata.

Dynasty 26: (Saite)

 

Psamtik I	Nekau	Psamtik II	Wahibre	Ahmose II	Psamtik III
*(Psammetichus I) 664-610	*(Necho) 610-595	*(Psammetichus II) 595-589	*(Apries) 589-570	*(Amasis) 570-526	*(Psammetichus III) 526-525
The 26th (Saite) dynasty of the Assyrians overlapped the Nubian Dynasty but after the second uprising, Psamtik was recognised as king by the Assyrians as king of Egypt. He conscripted an army of mercenaries, many from Greece to bring the state back together. During his reign stability returned, along with many of the old religious traditions, especially from the Middle and Old Kingdoms. Trade with the Mediterranean also improved the economy. His son Nekau succeeded him and brought Palestine as an ally, nd recruited Ionian Greeks as an Egyptian navy. He had a canal dug between a branch of the Nile and the Red Sea to assist trade. His son Psamtik II, reigned for only 6 years but he marched into Nubia as far as the third cateract. Graffitti on one of Rameses II statues at Abu Simbel tells of this expedition. He also encouraged the biblical Judaean revolt against the Babylonians. His son Wakibre succeeded him and continued the involvement in Palestine but after a civil war a victorious general, Ahmose II took over when Wahibre was killed. Ahmose II granted trading rights and privileges to foreigners in the Delta in an attempt to prevent conflicts and he forged trading links with many foreign nations. However a new threat to Egypt came from the Persians, who had already conquered the Greeks and Ahmose's successor, Psamtik III was left to face them. He was inexperienced and he fled to Memphis, only to be defeated and transported to Susa, the Persian capital.

(* better known Greek names)

New Kingdom Dynasties

THE NEW KINGDOM

1570 - 1070 BC

Egyptian dating is expressed by ruling families - dynasties. The historian Manetho (270 BC) wrote a history of Egypt giving the number of dynasties, the number of kings, their names and the length of each reign.

Dynasty 18

This family began a period of unprecedented success in international affairs for Egypt. There was a succession of extraordinary and able kings and queens who laid the foundations of a strong Egypt and bequeathed a prosperous economy to the kings of the 19th dynasty. 

There was Ahmose who expelled the Hyksos, followed by Thutmose I's conquest in the Near East and Africa. Queen Hatshepsut and Thutmose IIIwho made Egypt into an ancient super power. 

The magnificent Amenhotep III, who began an artistic revolution. Akhenaton and Nefertiti who began a religious revolution - the concept of one god. Finally there was Tutankhamen who is so famous in our modern age.

 18th dynasty 1550-1295 BC

• Ahmose
• Amenhotep I
• Thutmose I
• Thutmose II
• Hatshepsut
• Thutmose III
• Amenhotep II
• Thutmose IV
• Amenhotep III
• Amenhotep IV 
  (Akhenaten)
• Neferneferuaten
• Tutankhamen
• Ay
• Horemheb

Ahmose I	Amenhotep I	Tuthmosis I	Tuthmosis II	Queen Hatshepsut
Came to the throne at a very young age, ruled for 26 years. Consolidated Egypt's borders after expelling the Hyksos. Gave gifts of land to local governors for their help in getting the country back to normal.	Reigned for 25 years. Led expedition to Kush and campaign to Nubia. Initiated building at Karnak.	Military man married to daughter of Ahmose I. Reigned for only 6 years. Continued building at Karnak. Conquered the Nubians.	Third son of Tuthmosis I. Married his half sister Hatshepsut reigned together for 14 years. Undertook successful campaigns in Syria and Nubia.	Initially regent to young Tuthmosis III then took title of king. Built mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari and 2 giant red granite obelisks at Karnak quarried from Aswan.Restored many temples in middle Egypt. Undertook trading expeditions to Punt

Tuthmosis III	Amenhotep II	Tuthmosis IV	Amenhotep III
Claimed his rightful inheritence with the death of Hatshepsut(which he may have instigated). Reigned 54 years (23 as co-regent) Removed carvings and statues of Hatshepsut from temples and walled up her obelisks. Led campaigns to Syria and Asia. Inscriptions at Karnak say he captured 350 cities. Added to many temples including Karnak. Buried in Valley of the Kings, KV 34	Reigned for 34 years. Put down Asian revolt in 2nd year, and subdued the Syrians and brought back much treasure. Also campaigned into Palestine. Buried in Valley of the Kings KV 35.	Legend says he became king after dreaming that he had to clear the sand from the great sphynx in order to become king. This is related on the stela between the sphynx paws at Giza. Appears to have undertaken some Syrian campaigns. Reigned 33 years, Burried VoK, KV 43.	Peaceful reign of almost 40 years. Had many wives, main one Tiy. Wealth of country at this time came from trade. Built mortuary temple on West bank. All that now remains is the 2 statues known as the Colossi of Memnon. Buried in the Valley of the Kings, KV 22.

Akhenaten (Amenhotep IV)	Smenkhkare	Tutankhamun	Ay	Horemheb
The "heretic king" changed his name from Amenhotep when he began to worship one god, the Aten, portrayed as a solar disc with rays emanating from it, ending with hands. In doing so he alienated the priesthood who served many gods. In year 6 he moved his capital to half way between Thebes and Memphis, naming it Akhenaten, now el-Amarna. Married the famous Nefertiti. Evidence shows that the ordinary people continued their old religion. It is thought that he suffered from "Frohlilchs syndrome" due to his strange shape,which includes an elongated skull and neck, and fat deposits on the abdomen, thighs and breasts giving an overall shape like that of a woman.	Probably a younger brother of Akhenaten (who had no heirs) and ruled for only 2 years. Was married to Merytaten from the royal bloodline. Thought to have started to return to the old religions before he died.	Aged about 9 years when he was made king and was married to his older half sister Ankhesenpaaten. His advisors Ay and Horemheb returned the country to the old religion and the apitol was returned to Thebes. He probably died during the 9th year of his reign. He is reknown for the treasures found in his in-tact tomb by Howard Carter in 1909	An old man became king by marrying Tutankhamun's widow, but only reigned for four years.	Was a commander in the army under Akhenaten. Declared himself king after marrying a sister of Nefertiti. He restored the priesthood of Amun and repaired temples. He was buried in the VoK, KV 57 after a reign of 28 years but left no heir.

Dynasty 19

Seti I's reign looked for its model to the mid-18th dynasty and was a time of considerable prosperity. He restored countless monuments. His temple at Abydos exhibits some of the finest carved wall reliefs. 

His son Rameses II is the major figure of the dynasty. Around this time the Hittites had become a dominant Asiatic power. An uneasy balance of power developed between the two kingdoms, which was punctuated by wars and treaties By now Egypt was an ethnically pluralistic society and this is reflected in a diversity of artistic expression. Unfortunately the tide of history was turning and Rameses son, Merenptah had to struggle to maintain Egypt's prestige.

19th dynasty 1295 -1186 BC

• Rameses I
• Seti I
• Rameses II
• Merenptah
• Amenmessu
• Sety II
• Saptah
• Tausret

 

Rameses I	Seti I	Rameses II	Merneptah
Was vizier and confidant of Horemheb and not of royal blood but was chosen by Horemheb to follow him to the throne. His short reign of only 2 years did not enable him to make much of a mark on Egyptian history. He is buried in the VoK KV 16.	Son of Rameses I, also Vizier and troop comander before becoming king. In only 13 years rule, he led military campaigns to Syria, Libya, Lebanon and was the first to fight the Hittites. Undertook major rebuilding and chronicled all his achievements on temple walls especially at Karnak. Built spectacular temple at Abydos to the god Osiris and his mortuary temple on the west bank at Thebes. Also built longest and deepest tomb KV 17 in VoK, said to be the finest in the valley.	Third son of Seti I came to power at 25 and reigned for 67 years. Built temples all over the country all with reliefs showing off his military prowess. He also built a new city in the Delta which is thought to have employed Hebrews as the builders and therefore Rameses II is believed to be the Pharaoh of the biblical Exodus. Had several wives, the principle one being Nefertari for whom he built a magnificent temple into the rock at Abu Simbel. He fathered many children who had their own special tomb in the VoK. He fought the Hittites at the battle of Kadesh, eventually forming a treaty which is carved on the walls at Karnak and at his mortuary temple, the Ramasseum. He died at the age of 92 and was buried in his large tomb is KV 7.	Was Rameses II 13th son and in his 60's when he came to power. Ruled for 10 years and was a great military campaigner against Syria, the Lybians and the Nubians

Amenmesses	Seti II	Siptah	Queen Twosret
Not officially next in succession, but son of a lesser wife of Merneptah. Reigned for only 4 years but possibly only in the south. Amenmesses possibly co-ruled with Seti II.	The legitimate successor of Merneptah, outlived Amenmesses and took over the throne and erased his titles and took over his monuments. Only ruled for 6 years.	Younger son of Seti II by his Syrian concubine.He was14 when he inherited the throne, but he was crippled and only lived for another 6 years.On his behalf the rule was held by Twoseret, his step-mother	Wife of Seti II. After death of the 20 year old king she took over the throne but the country was actually run by a Syrian chancellor named Bay. Her death brought the 19th Dynasty to an end.

Dynasty 20:

Setnakht ruled for only a few years but restored order after a period of chaos. His son Rameses III was the last great king. He gave Egypt a final moment of glory by defeating Sea Peoples who had utterly destroyed Hittite Empire and swept all before them on their march south. After Rameses III, Egypt began to suffer economic problems and a break down in the fabric of society. She was unable to exploit the revolution of the Iron Age and there followed a succession of kings all called Rameses. Perhaps this was a vain attempt to recapture past glories.

20th dynasty 

1186 - 1069 BC

• Setnakht
• Rameses III
• Rameses IV
• Rameses V
• Rameses VI
• Rameses VII
• Rameses VIII
• Rameses IX
• Rameses X
• Rameses XI

Setnakhte	Rameses III	Rameses IV	Rameses V	Rameses VI
It is uncertain who Setkakhte was but he put down rebellions from Asiatic invaders and restored the cities,temples and their revenues. He reigned for only 3 years. He usurped Queen Twosret's tomb KV 14 in the VoK.	Co-ruled for a time with Setnakhte, then for a total 31 years. He was the last of the great Pharaohs, undergoing many campaigns against invaders from the north and building a vast temple at Medinet Habu. He named rameses IV, son of his second wife as his successor but his first wife Tiye wanted her son to succeed him. She incited a plot against him with his harem and he died shortly after. Rameses IV brought Tiye and its ringleaders to trial.	Son of Rameses III reigned for only 6 years. He made expeditions to the turquiose mines at Serabit el-Khadim in Sinai. There are no records of any military campaigns.	During his 4 year reign there was civil war raging. He was buried in year 2 of Rameses VI reign suggesting that he was userped by his brother and held captive.	Reigned for 8 years. During his reign, the turquoise mines were abandoned and trading with the near east was reduced. His tomb was robbed and his mummy visciously attacked and mutilated but his huge black granite sarcophagous has been reassembled and lies in his tomb KV9 in the VoK.

Rameses VII	Rameses VIII	Rameses IX	Rameses X	Rameses XI
Succeeded his father Rameses VI and reigned for 7 years. The country was economically unstable and there was unrest.	Was probably a son of Rameses III and reigned for only a year. He has no known tomb.	Reigned for about 18 years during which time the country remained relatively stable. Some building work was done at the "sun centre" inHeliopolis in the Delta, which may explain why the high priests of Thebes asserted their own power in Upper Egypt.	Not much information remains for Rameses X. Thought to have reigned between 3 - 9 years. His tomb is KV 18 in the VoK.	His 28 year reign brought the 20th Dynasty to a close, with the king ruling from the north and the Viceroy of Kush, Panehesy, running the south. Civil war raged on and off in the Theban region. It is thought that Panehesy was usurped by High Priest Herihor at least 6 years before the king's death and Herihor continued to rule the south at the same time as Rameses XI in the north.