Dating
of this dynasty as well as the whole III Intermediate Period proposed by Prof.
Kenneth
Kitchen seems to be the most reliable. I present also sequence of rulers
according to traditional chronology although D.A. Aston suggested very
interesting hypothesis. In his opinion founder of this dynasty was
Takelot II, who precedes Padibastet
I, Iuput I, Osorkon III, Takelot III, Amonrud
and Payeftjawembastet
at the Theban throne, while Sheshonq
IV is omitted in this list. Dynasty XXIII, like partly coexisting with it
dynasty XXII, is not a well known part of Egyptian history. Splitting of the one
central rule into few independent centers weakened the land and finally resulted
in Kushite attack and increasing threat of Assirians.
From Osrkon III's time the office of
Divine Adoratrise of Amun
becomes more and more important and royal daughters and sisters at Theban throne
hold rule equally powerful as royal power. To view the transcription of kings titulary properly, please
download and install transliteration font.
wsr-mAat-ra
(stp.n-imn) Wesermaatre Setepenamun (Powerful Is
The Justice Of Re ; Chosen Of Amun)
pA-di-bAstt mri-imn-ra
Padibastet
Meriamun
(Wise One Of Bastet ;
Beloved Of Amun-Re)
pA-di-bAstt
mri-imn
Padibastet Meriamun (Wise One Of
Bastet ;
Beloved Of Amun)
Traditionally
regarded as the founder of the dynasty although some scholars (D. Aston)
place Padibastet between Takelot II and Iuput
I. Possibly he was son of Takelot II and brother of
Sheshonq
III.
Disclosed by inscription in the nilometer at Thebes and priestly annals
of Karnak. In year 15 of his rule he made Iuput his co-regent. Other his
sons were: Pediamon, appointed a priest at Thebes in year 7 of
Padibastet rule, and Pentiefankh, appointed a vizier in year 8.
In
year 15 of Padibastet I rule he was assigned by his father a co-regent.
Nilometer at Karnak corroborates 2 year of his rule (co-regency).
F.Gomaà and
K.Kitchen believe taht under Padibastet I he was a theban ruler of minor
importance.
wsr-mAat-ra
(mri-imn)
WesermaatreMeriamun (Powerful Is The
Justice Of Re ; Beloved Of Amun)
SS(nq)
(mri-imn)
Sheshonq Meriamun
(Beloved Of Amun)
In
K.Kitchen’s opinion he was husband of Karoma III Merimut, the mother
of Osorkon III whose father might have been just Sheshonq IV. This
opinion is not shared by other scholar arguing that this pharaoh should
not be included in royal lists. The only proof of his existence is a
short note in nilometer at Karnak.
wsr-mAat-ra
(stp.n-imn)
WesermaatreSetepenamun
(Powerful Is The Justice Of Re ; Chosen Of Amun)
wsrkn
(sA-Ast mri-imn)
Osorkon Siiset Meriamun (Son Of Isis ; Beloved Of Amun)
Son
of Karoma III Merimut and unknown pharaoh. It may be possible that his
father was either Sheshonq IV (K.
Kitchen) or, according to D. Aston, Takelot II. Additionally D.
Aston identifies king Osorkon III with high priest
Osorkon, the son of
Takelot II. In K. Kitchen’s opinion they both were not even brothers.
Osorkon, who reigned at Leontopolis, appointed loyal people to offices
of chief priest at Herakleopolis and governor of South. Also at Thebes
he designated Takelot III, his son and co-regent, as high priest of Amun
and daughter Shapenewpet –
Divine Adoratrice of Amun.
Hm-nTr tpi n imn-ra-nsw-nTrw
Hm-nTr [tpi] n HriSif-nsw-tAwi , wr Hwt-sxm xpr(ra) sA-nsw imi-rA Sm aw Hawti
tklt
Hr wAD-tAwi
wAD-tAwi
wAD-tAwi
wsr-mAat-ra (stp.n-imn)
tklt (sA-Ast mri-imn) ,
(nTr-HqA-wAst)
wsr-mAat-ra
(stp.n-imn)
WesermaatreSetepenamun (Powerful Is
The Justice Of Re ; Chosen Of Amun)
tklt
(sA-Ast mri-imn)
Takelot SiisetMeriamun
(Son Of Isis ; Beloved Of Amun)
Son
of Osorkon III by Tentsai. High priest of Amun at Thebes until ca. 775
BC, then co-regent of Osorkon III. He was also independent ruler at
Leontopolis. He ordered to build temple of Osiris – Lord of Eternity at
Karnak. Sons of Takelot III were high priests: Djedptahiefankh and
Osorkon, his heir to the throne however was
Amonrud, his younger brother.
wsr-mAat-ra
Wesermaatre (Powerful Is The Justice Of Re)
rwD-imn
(mri-imn) Amunrud Meriamon
(Amun Is Strong ; Beloved Of Amun)
Historians’
opinions vary widely as to length of rule of Amonrud
due to interpretation of the famous graffito of Wadi Gasus which
describes year 19 of his rule. One of Amonrud’s daughters,
Irbastnubnefu, was married to prince Paieftchaumebast of Herakleopolis.
wsr-mAat-ra
Wesermaatre (Powerful Is The Justice Of Re)
iwpwt
(sA-bAstt mri-imn)
Iuput Sibastet Meriamun ( Son Of Bastet ; Beloved Of Amun)
Ruler
of Leontopolis in the Delta. Ally of Osorkon IV and
Tefnakht against Kushite Piankhi. If the
controversial graffito of Wadi Gasus mentioning year 19 of rule refers
to Iuput (and not Amonrud) closer to the
truth would be duration of Iuput II reign
suggested by J.
von Beckerath and F. Gomaà, as well as by K.
Kitchen.
7
720 - 715
Sheshonq VI
... ...
... ...
... ...
stp.n-ra (wAs-n-at-n-ra)
SS(n)q
stp.n-ra
(wAs-n-at-n-ra)
Setepenre Wasenetenre
(Chosen Of Re)
Existence
of this, probably from Leontopolis, ruler is historically doubtful. The
only proof is a bronze pendant with the name SS (Shesh), however it may
be incorrectly inscribed name of
Sheshonq
III.
f
Iny
... ...
... ...
... ...
... ...
... ...
Ruler
documented several times in Thebes (including the regnal year 5) and
perhaps also in Abydos.
nfr-kA-ra
Neferkare (Beautiful Is The Soul [Ka] Of Re)
pA(y).f-TAw-(m)-a-bAstt
Payeftjawembastet
(His Life Is In Bastet Hands)
Ruled
at Herakleopolis in opposition to other rulers of this dynasty as well
as Saite dynasty XXIV. He was husband of Amonrud’s daughter, Irbastnubnefu.
He protected Herakleopolis from attacks of Tefnakht of Sais but finally he
accepted supremacy of the Kushite Piankhi.
d
754 - 725
Nimlot (4)
... ...
... ...
... ...
... ...
nml(i)t
nml(i)t
Nimlot
Presumably
son of Osorkon III, appointed by him to the throne of Hermopolis. He was
Tefnakht’s ally against Herakleopolitan
principality and Kushite ruler Piankhi. After
Hermopolis had been captured by Piankhi, Nimlot surrendered and became
vassal of the Kushite. In the stele of Piankhi his name is inscribed with
title of “king” and presented in the crown kheperesh and uraeus – insignia
of royalty.
e
c.728
Djehutiemhat
... ...
... ...
... ...
nfr-xpr-ra (Hai-Ha(w))
DHwti-m-HAt
nfr-xpr-ra
(Hai-Ha(w))
Neferkheperre Haihaw (Beautiful Is
Manifestation Of Re)
DHwti-m-HAt
Djehutiemhat(Beloved Of Thot)
Presumably
he succeeded Nemlit to the throne at Hermopolis, he was in opposition to
other rulers of this dynasty and to saite dynasty XXIV.