Twenty-second Dynasty of Egypt

The Twenty-second Dynasty was a series of Libyan chieftains who ruled Egypt for approximately 225 years.

22
Twenty-second Dynasty
945 BC — 716 BC
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The rulers of this dynasty were of Libyan Meshwesh descent and represented a shift away from Egypt's traditional centres of power in Thebes and Memphis. Bubastis, located in the eastern Nile Delta and closely associated with the cat goddess Bastet, was a key centre of worship for the dynasty's rulers, who promoted her cult to reflect their regional ties. This period of Egyptian history was marked by decentralisation, during which foreign rulers integrated into pharaonic traditions while struggling to maintain unity. The Libyan origins of the dynasty emphasise the cultural and political changes of the Third Intermediate Period.

Dynasty 22

The chronological order

It is important to note that the chronological order and dates of the kings is still a matter of debate and should therefore be treated with a certain degree of caution. As new research is conducted, the order may be subject to change, which is a fundamental principle that applies to all Egyptian dynasties. In particular, the Second Intermediate Period dynasties are the subject of significant ongoing research, and could see dramatic changes in the future.

Table 1: The kings of the Twenty-second Dynasty
№ Pharaoh Also known as
1Shoshenq ISheshonq I, Sheshonk I
2Osorkon I
3Shoshenq IISheshonq II, Sheshonk II
4Shoshenq IIbSheshonq IIb, Sheshonk IIb
5Takelot I
6Osorkon II
7Shoshenq IIISheshonq III, Sheshonk III
8Shoshenq IV
9Pami
10Shoshenq VSheshonq V, Sheshonk V
11Pedubast II
12Osorkon IV

The Twenty-second Dynasty according to Manetho

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.

ACCORDING TO AFRICANUS

Twenty-second dynasty of nine kings of Boubastis

  1. Sesonchis 21 years
  2. Osorthon 25 years
  3. Three others 25 years
  4. Takelothis 13 years
  5. Three others 42 years
  6. Total 120 years
ACCORDING TO EUSEBIOS

Twenty-second dynasty of three kings of Boubastis

  1. Sesonchosis 21 years
  2. Osorthon 15 years
  3. Takelothis 13 years
  4. Total 49 years
ARMENIAN TRANSLATION

Twenty-second dynasty of 3 kings from Bubastis

  1. Sēsonkʻusis21 years
  2. Osortʻovs15 years
  3. Takēłovtʻis13 years
  4. In total, reigned for 49 years

1

The sum of the individual items is 116 years.