Welcome back to Ancient Egypt! This chapter addresses the period of the 3rd Intermediate Period, from 1070 BC to 712/525 BC, and the Late Period from 712/525 BC to 332 BC. The disparity of 712 – vs. - 525 BC dates is a reflection of various historians and at what time frame they establish the definition of the break between the 3rd Intermediate and the Late Periods. For the purpose of this synopsis we will establish the Late Period as beginning at 525 BC.
The 3rd Intermediate Period
When Ramses XI died at the end of the New Kingdom a wealthy and powerful Theban high priest, Herihor, became the Viceroy of Kush. Through his efforts and power he enabled the Theban high priests to become a major political bloc. The Karnak site saw the construction of numerous temples and other religious facilities. At the same time the XXI Pharaohs moved their power base to Tanis and moved the royal necropolis from the Valley of the Kings to Tanis as well. As the XXI dynasty faded, a Libyan military leader married the last Pharaoh’s daughter and established the XXII Dynasty. He quickly moved the replace the Theban priests with those of his own choosing and thereby once again re-united Egypt under one leader. Once a single power center was established he went on to re-establish an Egyptian presence in the Palestinian and Syrian areas.
However the unity and control in the Palestinian/Syrian corridor did not last long and soon there were three dynasties vying for control of Egypt and in conflict with each other. To the south, Nubia watched the three dynasties (the XXII, the XXIII, and the XXIV) argue with each other and took advantage of the political chaos and attacked Egypt. The three dynasties joined together to fight off the power of the Nubians but failed. Only the XXIV dynasty was able to retain power in a small section of Egypt near the 4th Cataract, while the majority of Egypt became the XXV Dynasty or the Nubian Dynasty as it is sometimes called.
The Nubian Dynasty was also short-lived due to Assyrians attacking and plundering Thebes. The Assyrians left destruction in their wake but were successfully routed by the force of the small remaining XXIV Dynasty. Four hundred years that had been punctuated by terror and chaos was finally ended by the establishment of the XXVI dynasty from the remnants of the XXIV. The XXVI dynasty regained control of a united Egypt and for about 100 years there was peace and stability throughout the area known as Egypt.
The Late Period
The Late Period of ancient Egypt begins and ends with Persian incursions and control. Persians swept into Egypt and gained control by establishing the XXVII dynasty in 525 BC. For more than 100 years the Persians ruled Egypt with a strict hand. This Persian dynasty was ended by Amyrtaios, an Egyptian who was the sole ruler of the 60-year XXVIII dynasty.
Amyrtaios was overthrown by Persians who once again stole control of Egypt. The next decade was probably the darkest ever experienced by the ancient Egyptians as the Persians rulers laid waste to Egypt’s lands, stole her wealth, and supplanted her traditions with Persian ones. Mass murders, plundering of temples, butchering of holy animals were common and frequent. The people of Egypt were subjected to demands for heavy tribute and taxes. Temples were destroyed and homes looted.
At the end of ten years of abject terror Egyptians welcomed the conquest of the Persians by Alexander the Great and viewed him as their liberator.
Join us next time as we conclude the history of Ancient Egypt with the last chapter – the Greco-Roman Period.
by Vicki Gardner
No comments:
Post a Comment