Twenty-third Dynasty of Egypt

Egypt
837 BC–728 BC
Capital	Thebes, Herakleopolis
Common languages	Egyptian language
Religion	Ancient Egyptian Religion
Government	Absolute monarchy
Historical era	Classical antiquity
• Established	837 BC
• Disestablished	728 BC
Preceded by Succeeded by Twenty-second Dynasty of Egypt Twenty-fourth 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.

Pharaohs and Kings of the 23rd Dynasty

Main article: List of pharaohs

Pharaoh / King	Image	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.

Further reading

• J.P. Elias, "A Northern Member of the 'Theban' Twenty-Third Dynasty", Discussions in Egyptology 31 (1995), 57-67.
• J. Goldberg, "The 23rd Dynasty Problem Revisited: Where, When and Who?", Discussions in Egyptology 29 (1994), 55-85.
• H. Jacquet Gordon, "Deux graffiti d'époque libyenne sur le toit du Temple de Khonsu à Karnak" in Hommages à la memoire de Serge Sauneron, 1927-1976 (Cairo: 1979), pp. 169–74.
• K.A. Kitchen, The Third Intermediate Period in Egypt (c.1100–650 BC), 3rd ed., Warminster: 1996.