Twenty-second Dynasty of Egypt

The Twenty-second Dynasty was an Ancient Egyptian dynasty of ancient Libyan origin founded by Shoshenq I.^[1] It is also known as the Bubastite Dynasty, since the pharaohs originally ruled from the city of Bubastis.^[2]

Twenty-second Dynasty of Egypt
943 BC–716 BC
Pendant bearing the cartouche of Osorkon II seated Osiris flanked by Horus and Isis
Capital	Bubastis, Tanis
Common languages	Egyptian language
Religion	Ancient Egyptian Religion
Government	Absolute monarchy
Historical era	Third Intermediate Period of Egypt
• Established	943 BC
• Disestablished	716 BC
Preceded by Succeeded by Twenty-first Dynasty of Egypt Twenty-third Dynasty of Egypt Twenty-fourth Dynasty of Egypt Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt

The Twenty-first, Twenty-second, Twenty-third, Twenty-fourth, and Twenty-fifth dynasties of ancient Egypt are often combined under the group designation of the Third Intermediate Period.

Rulers

The pharaohs of the Twenty-second Dynasty were a series of Meshwesh (ancient Libyan^[a] tribe) chieftains, who ruled from c. 943 BC until 716 BC. They had settled in Egypt since the Twentieth Dynasty and were known in Egypt as the 'Great Chiefs of the Ma' (Ma being a synonym of Meshwesh). Manetho states that this Egyptianized ancient Libyan dynasty first ruled over Bubastis, but its rulers almost certainly governed from Tanis, which was their capital and the city where their tombs have been excavated.

Another pharaoh who belongs to this group is Tutkheperre Shoshenq. His period of rule within this dynasty is currently uncertain, although he is now thought to have governed Egypt early in the 9th century BC for a short time between Osorkon I and Takelot I. The next ruler at Tanis after Shoshenq V was Osorkon IV. This pharaoh is sometimes not believed to be a member of the 22nd Dynasty since he only controlled a small portion of Lower Egypt together with Tefnakhte of Sais, whose authority was recognised at Memphis—and Iuput II of Leontopolis.

Pharaohs

The known rulers during the Twenty-second Dynasty include:

Dynasty XXII Kings of Egypt

Pharaoh	Image	Prenomen (Throne name)	Horus-name	Reign	Consort(s)	Comments
Shoshenq I		Hedjkheperre-Setepenre	Kanakhtmeryre Sekhaefemnesuersematawy	943–922 BC	Patareshnes Karomama A	Possibly to be identified with the biblical Shishak
Osorkon I		Sekhemkheperre-Setepenre	Kanakhtmeryre Redjensuitemuhernesetefergeregtawy	922–887 BC	Maatkare B Tashedkhonsu Shepensopdet A
Shoshenq II		Heqakheperre-Setepenre	(unknown)	887–885 BC	Nesitanebetashru Nesitaudjatakhet	Enjoyed an independent reign of two years at Tanis according to Von Beckerath
Takelot I		Hedjkheperre-Setepenre	(unknown)	885–872 BC	Kapes
Osorkon II		Usermaatre-Setepenamun	Kanakhtmerymaat	872–837 BC	Isetemkheb G Karomama B Djedmutesankh	Possibly one of the twelve kings who formed an alliance to fight Shalmaneser III of Assyria at the battle of Qarqar in 853 BC.[5]
Shoshenq III		Usermaatre-Setepenre	Kanakhtmesutre	837–798 BC	Tadibast II Tentamenopet Djedbastiusankh
Shoshenq IV		Hedjkheperre-Setepenre	(unknown)	798–785 BC		Not to be confused with Shoshenq VI; the original Shoshenq IV in publications before 1993
Pami		Usermaatre-Setepenamun	(unknown)	785–778 BC		Buried two Apis bulls in his reign
Shoshenq V		Akheperre	Userpehty	767–730 BC	Tadibast III?	Successor of Shoshenq V was often stated as Osorkon IV;some say it is Pedubast II
Pedubast II		Sehetepibenre	(unknown)	743–733 BC	Tadibast III?	Not mentioned in all Pharaoh lists, placement disputed
Osorkon IV		Usermaatre	(unknown)	730–716 BC		Not always listed as a true member of the XXII Dynasty, but succeeded Shoshenq V at Tanis. Perhaps the biblical Pharaoh So (2 Kings 17:4).

Celebration and folklore

The rise to power of the Twenty-second dynasty and its founder Sheshqonq, a Libyan Amazigh king of the Meshwesh tribe, is remembered as year 0 of the Berber calendar celebrated by the Berber New Year each year: the Yennayer. The character is known as Ouchachnaq, hero of a Kabyle tale, "Sheshqonq and Mira", but is also mentioned in an ancient Berber nursery rhyme from the region under the name of Ouchnaq.^[6]

Twenty-third Dynasty

The so-called Twenty-third Dynasty was an offshoot of this dynasty perhaps based in Upper Egypt, though there is much debate concerning this issue. All of its kings reigned in Middle and Upper Egypt including the Western Desert Oases.

See also

• Twenty-second dynasty of Egypt Family Tree

Notes

1. The term "Libya" in Egyptology refers to the areas west of the Nile valley.^[3][4]