Twenty-second Dynasty of Egypt

The Twenty-second Dynasty of Egypt is also known as the Bubastite Dynasty, since the pharaohs originally ruled from the city of Bubastis. It was founded by Shoshenq I.

Twenty-second Dynasty of Egypt
943 BC–716 BC
Pendant bearing the cartouche of Osorkon II seated Osiris flanked by Horus and Isis
Common languages	Egyptian language
Religion	Ancient Egyptian Religion
Government	Absolute monarchy
Historical era	Classical antiquity
• 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 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:

Twenty-Second Dynasty pharaohs

Pharaoh	Throne name	Image	Reign (BC)	Consort(s)	Comments
Shoshenq I	Hedjkheperre-Setepenre		943–922 BC	Patareshnes Karomama A	Possibly to be identified with the biblical Shishak
Osorkon I	Sekhemkheperre-Setepenre		922–887 BC	Maatkare B Tashedkhonsu Shepensopdet A
Shoshenq II	Heqakheperre-Setepenre		887–885 BC	Nesitanebetashru Nesitaudjatakhet	Enjoyed an independent reign of two years at Tanis according to Von Beckerath
Takelot I	Hedjkheperre-Setepenre		885–872 BC	Kapes
Osorkon II	Usermaatre-Setepenamun		872–837 BC	Isetemkheb G Karomama B Djedmutesankh	An ally of Israel who fought Shalmaneser III of Assyria at the battle of Qarqar in 853 BC.
Shoshenq III	Usermaatre-Setepenre		837–798 BC	Tadibast II Tentamenopet Djedbastiusankh
Shoshenq IV	Hedjkheperre-Setepenre		798–785 BC		Not to be confused with Shoshenq VI; the original Shoshenq IV in publications before 1993
Pami	Usermaatre-Setepenamun		785–778 BC		Buried two Apis bulls in his reign
Shoshenq V	Akheperre		767–730 BC	Tadibast III?	Successor of Shoshenq V was often stated as Osorkon IV;some say it is Pedubast II
Pedubast II	Sehetepibenre		743–733 BC	Tadibast III?	Not mentioned in all Pharaoh lists, placement disputed
Osorkon IV	Usermaatre		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).

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