Twenty-third Dynasty of Egypt

The Twenty-third Dynasty of Egypt (notated Dynasty XXIII, alternatively 23rd Dynasty or Dynasty 23) is usually classified as the third dynasty of the Ancient Egyptian Third Intermediate Period. This dynasty consisted of a number of Meshwesh Ancient Libyan (Berber) kings, who ruled either as pharaohs or independent kings of parts of Upper Egypt from 880 BC to 720 BC, and pharaohs from 837 BC to 728 BC.

History

There is much debate surrounding this dynasty, which may have been situated at Herakleopolis Magna, Hermopolis Magna, and Thebes. Monuments from their reign show that they controlled Upper Egypt in parallel with the Twenty-second dynasty, shortly before the death of Osorkon II.

Dynasties of Ancient Egypt

All years are BC

Early

First Dynasty	I	c. 3150–2890
Second Dynasty	II	2890–2686

Old Kingdom

Third Dynasty	III	2686–2613
Fourth Dynasty	IV	2613–2498
Fifth Dynasty	V	2498–2345
Sixth Dynasty	VI	2345–2181

First Intermediate

Seventh Dynasty	VII	spurious
Eighth Dynasty	VIII	2181–2160
Ninth Dynasty	IX	2160–2130
Tenth Dynasty	X	2130–2040
Early Eleventh Dynasty	XI	2134–2061

Middle Kingdom

Late Eleventh Dynasty	XI	2061–1991
Twelfth Dynasty	XII	1991–1803
Thirteenth Dynasty	XIII	1803–1649
Fourteenth Dynasty	XIV	1705–1690

Second Intermediate

Fifteenth Dynasty	XV	1674–1535
Sixteenth Dynasty	XVI	1660–1600
Abydos Dynasty		1650–1600
Seventeenth Dynasty	XVII	1580–1549

New Kingdom

Eighteenth Dynasty	XVIII	1549–1292
Nineteenth Dynasty	XIX	1292–1189
Twentieth Dynasty	XX	1189–1077

Third Intermediate

Twenty-first Dynasty	XXI	1069–945
Twenty-second Dynasty	XXII	945–720
Twenty-third Dynasty	XXIII	837–728
Twenty-fourth Dynasty	XXIV	732–720
Twenty-fifth Dynasty	XXV	732–653

Late Period

Twenty-sixth Dynasty	XXVI	672–525
Twenty-seventh Dynasty (1st Persian Period)	XXVII	525–404
Twenty-eighth Dynasty	XXVIII	404–398
Twenty-ninth Dynasty	XXIX	398–380
Thirtieth Dynasty	XXX	380–343
Thirty-first Dynasty (2nd Persian Period)	XXXI	343–332

Ptolemaic (Hellenistic)

Argead Dynasty	332–305
Ptolemaic Kingdom	305–30

Pharaohs and Kings of the 23rd Dynasty

Pharaoh/King	Throne Name / Prenomen	Reign	Consort(s)	Comments
Harsiese A	Hedjkheperre Setpenamun	880 – 860 BC	Isetweret I	Independent King of Thebes; Ruled during Takelot I's and Osorkon II's reigns
Takelot II	Hedjkheperre Setpenre	840 – 815 BC	Karomama D Tashep Tabeketenasket A	Contemporary with the Twenty-Second Dynasty king Shoshenq III, who controlled Lower Egypt.
Pedubast I	Usermaatre Setpenamun	829 – 804 BC		Involved in a prolonged civil war with king Takelot II/Crown Prince Osorkon B.
Iuput I		829 – 804 BC		co-regent
Shoshenq VI	Usermaatre Meryamun	804 – 798 BC		Succeeded Pedubast I at Thebes and ruled Upper Egypt for 6 years.
Osorkon III	Usermaatre Setpenamun	798 – 769 BC	Tentsai A Karoatjet	Involved in a civil war against Pedubast I and Shoshenq VI.
Takelot III	Usermaatre Setepenamun	774 – 759 BC	Kakat Irtiubast	Osorkon III's eldest son, junior coregent and successor.
Rudamun	Usermaatre Setepenamun	759 – 755 BC	Tadi[...]	The younger brother and successor of Takelot III. A poorly attested king.
Ini	Menkheperre	755 – 750 BC		Only controlled Thebes during his reign.
Peftjauawybast	Neferkare	754 – 720 BC	Irbastwedjanefu Tashereniset I	Rudamun's son-in-law, only controlled Herakleopolis during his reign.

Twenty-third Dynasty of Egypt

History

Pharaohs and Kings of the 23rd Dynasty

Further reading