The Third Intermediate Period (ca. 1070-664 BC) is an era in Egyptian history marked by political fragmentation and foreign influences, spanning the XNUMXst, XNUMXnd, XNUMXrd, and XNUMXth Dynasties. This period followed the end of the New Kingdom and preceded the late period.
- Political context and dynasties
After the end of the New Kingdom, the central power weakened and Egypt was again divided into competing kingdoms. Dynasties of the Third Intermediate Period often ruled different parts of the country simultaneously, with local and foreign rulers vying for control.
- The Libyans and the Kushites
One of the most notable features of the Third Intermediate Period is the influence of foreign peoples on Egypt. The Libyans, led by the pharaohs of the XXII Dynasty, dominated Lower Egypt for much of this period. Towards the end of the Third Intermediate Period, the Kushites of Nubia conquered Egypt, establishing Dynasty XXV.
- Art, literature and culture
Despite political fragmentation, the Third Intermediate Period was a period of artistic and literary revival. Egyptian art from this period shows Libyan and Kushite influences, as well as local styles. Literature, on the other hand, developed with texts like the Narrative of the Priest of Wenamun, which offers an insight into the political and cultural context of the time.
- Religion and beliefs
Egyptian religion also evolved during the Third Intermediate Period. Local cults and foreign deities, especially Libyan and Kushite gods, gained prominence. The pharaohs of this period supported local cults to enhance their legitimacy and power.
- Archeology and discoveries
Archaeological finds from the Third Intermediate Period are mainly concentrated in temples, necropolises and habitation sites in different regions of Egypt. Excavations have revealed monuments, stelae, funerary objects and inscriptions that testify to the cultural and artistic changes of the time.
📋 LIST OF EGYPTIAN SOVEREIGNS 📋
Hotepsekhemwey / Sneferka / Nebra / ninetjer / Senedj / Noubnefer / Horus Ba / Peribsen / Sekhemib / Khasekhemwy / Neferkasokar / | |||
Djoser / Sanakht / Sekhemkhet / Spoon / Huni | |||
Sekhemre-Khutaouy Amenemhat-/Sobekhotep I/Sekhemkare Amenemhat-Senbef/Sekhemkare Amenemhat V/Ameny-Qemaou/Hotepibre Qémaou-Sa-Hornejhéritef/Ioufeni/Séânkhibrê Amény-Antef-Amenemhat (or Amenemhat VI)/Semenkarê Nebnoun/Sehotepibrê Sousekhtaouy | |||
Sekhaenre Yakbim/Nebuuserre Yaammou/Khauserre Qareh | |||
Semqen/Aper-Anat/Sakir-Har/Khyan/Apophis I/Apophis II?/Khamoudy | |||
/Sekhemre-Sementaouy Djehouty/Sekhemre-Sousertaouy Sobekhotep VIII | |||
Twenty-first dynasty | |||
Twenty-second dynasty | |||
Twenty-third dynasty | |||
Twenty-fourth dynasty | |||
1st Persian Dynasty | |||
Thirty-first dynasty (Achaemenid) | 2nd Persian Dynasty | ||