The Twenty-first Dynasty of Egypt (notated Dynasty XXI, alternatively 21st Dynasty or Dynasty 21) is usually classified as the first Dynasty of the Ancient Egyptian Third Intermediate Period, lasting from 1077 BC to 943 BC.
Twenty-first Dynasty of Egypt | |||||||||
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1077 BC–943 BC | |||||||||
Capital | Tanis | ||||||||
Common languages | Egyptian language | ||||||||
Religion | Ancient Egyptian Religion | ||||||||
Government | Absolute monarchy | ||||||||
Historical era | Third Intermediate Period of Egypt | ||||||||
• Established | 1077 BC | ||||||||
• Disestablished | 943 BC | ||||||||
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After the reign of Ramesses III, a long, slow decline of royal power in Egypt followed. The pharaohs of the Twenty-first Dynasty ruled from Tanis, but were mostly active only in Lower Egypt, which they controlled. This dynasty is described as 'Tanite' because its political capital was based at Tanis. Meanwhile, the High Priests of Amun at Thebes effectively ruled Middle and Upper Egypt in all but name. The later Egyptian Priest Manetho of Sebennytos states in his Epitome on Egyptian royal history that "the 21st Dynasty of Egypt lasted for 130 years".[1]
Pharaoh | Image | Prenomen (Throne name) | Horus-name | Reign | Burial | Consort(s) | Comments |
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Smendes / Nesbanebdjed I | Hedjkheperre Setepenre | Kanakhtmeryreseuser Amunkhepesheferseqamaat | 1077 - 1051 BC | unknown | Tentamun | Only controlled Lower Egypt during his reign. Founder of the 21st Dynasty. | |
Amenemnisu | Neferkare Heqawaset | (unknown) | 1051 - 1047 BC | unknown | |||
Psusennes I / Hor-Pasebakhaenniut I | Akheperre Setepenamun | Kanakhtemdedamun Userfausekhaemwaset | 1047 - 1001 BC | NRT III, Tanis | Mutnedjemet Wiay |
Precise length of reign unknown. Either 41 or 46 years. | |
Amenemope | Usermaatre Setepenamun | (unknown) | 1001 - 992 BC | Tanis | Manetho writes in his Epitome that Amenemope ruled Egypt for 9 years. | ||
Osorkon the Elder | Akheperre Setepenre | (unknown) | 992 - 986 BC | unknown | Osorkon the elder ruled Egypt for 6 years. | ||
Siamun | Netjerkheperre Setepenamun | Kanakhtmerymat Sameryenamunperemhauef | 986 - 967 BC | unknown | Siamun is believed to have ruled Egypt for 19 years. Egyptologists have amended Manetho's figure of 9 years for this king to [1]9 years based on a Year 17 known for him in the Karnak Priestly Annals | ||
Psusennes II / Hor-Pasebakhaenniut II | Titkheperure Setepenre | (unknown) | 967 - 943 BC | unknown |