XXIIIrd Dynasty

	XXIII^th Dynasty 818 - 715 ( Tanis, Hermopolis, Herakleopolis, Leonthopolis, Thebes )
Dating of this dynasty as well as the whole III Intermediate Period proposed by Prof. Kenneth Kitchen seems to be the most reliable. I present also sequence of rulers according to traditional chronology although D.A. Aston suggested very interesting hypothesis. In his opinion founder of this dynasty was Takelot II, who precedes Padibastet I, Iuput I, Osorkon III, Takelot III, Amonrud and Payeftjawembastet at the Theban throne, while Sheshonq IV is omitted in this list. Dynasty XXIII, like partly coexisting with it dynasty XXII, is not a well known part of Egyptian history. Splitting of the one central rule into few independent centers weakened the land and finally resulted in Kushite attack and increasing threat of Assirians.

818 - 793
817-763 (Drioton)
827/22-802/797 (Aston)

Padibastet I ( Petubastis I )

Hr mri-ra sxai.f-m-niswt-(r)-smA-tAwi
xai-m-sxm ti-mi-Hr-sA-ist-r-sxtp-nTrw-m-mAat
sxm-pHti xwi-pDt-9 , wr-nxtw-m-tAw-nbw
wsr-mAat-ra (stp.n-imn)
pA-di-bAstt mri-imn , sA-Ast mri-imn) , Petubastis _(Man)

	Wesermaatre (Powerful is the Justice of Re) Setepenamon (Chosen of Amon)
	Padibastet (Wise One of Bastet) Meriamon (Beloved of Amon)
Traditionally regarded as the founder of the dynasty although some scholars (D. Aston) place Padibastet between Takelot II and Iuput I. Possibly he was son of Takelot II and brother of Sheshonq III. Disclosed by inscription in the nilometer at Thebes and priestly annals of Karnak. In year 15 of his rule he made Iuput his co-regent. Other his sons were: Pediamon, appointed a priest at Thebes in year 7 of Padibastet rule, and Pentiefankh, appointed a vizier in year 8.

804/3
812/807-? (Aston)

Iuput I

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ipwt (mri-imn)

793 - 787
763-757 (Drioton)

Sheshonq IV

Hr mswti-ra
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wsr-mAat-ra (mri-imn)
SS(nq) (mri-imn)

	Wesermaatre (Powerful is the Justice of Re) Meriamon (Beloved of Amon)
	Sheshonq Meriamon (Beloved of Amon)
In K. Kitchen’s opinion he was husband of Karoma III Merimut, the mother of Osorkon III whose father might have been just Sheshonq IV. This opinion is not shared by other scholar arguing that this pharaoh should not be included in royal lists. The only proof of his existence is a short note in nilometer at Karnak.

787 - 759
757-748 (Drioton)
796/791-768/763 (Aston)

Osorkon III

Hr kA nxt xai-m-wAst
st-ib-tAwi
msi-nTrw
wsr-mAat-ra (stp.n-imn)
wsrkn (sA-Ast mri-imn) , (nTr-HqA-wAst) , Osorcho _(Man)

	Wesermaatre (Powerful is the Justice of Re) Setepenamon (Chosen of Amon)
	Osorkon Meriamon Siiset (Beloved of Amon, Son of Isis)
Son of Karoma III Merimut and unknown pharaoh. It may be possible that his father was either Sheshonq IV (K. Kitchen) or, according to D. Aston, Takelot II. Additionally D. Aston identifies king Osorkon III with high priest Osorkon, the son of Takelot II. In K. Kitchen’s opinion they both were not even brothers. Osorkon, who reigned at Leontopolis, appointed loyal people to offices of chief priest at Herakleopolis and governor of South. Also at Thebes he designated Takelot III, his son and co-regent, as high priest of Amen and daughter Shapenupet – Divine Adoratrice of Amen.

764 - 757
773/768-766/761 (Aston)

Takelot III

Hm-nTr tpi n imn-ra-nsw-nTrw Hm-nTr [tpi] n HriSif-nsw-tAwi , wr Hwt-sxm xpr(ra) sA-nsw imi-rA Sm aw Hawti tklt

Hr wAD-tAwi
wAD-tAwi
wAD-tAwi
wsr-mAat-ra (stp.n-imn)
tklt (sA-Ast mri-imn) , (nTr-HqA-wAst)

	Wesermaatre (Powerful is the Justice of Re) Setepenamon (Chosen of Amon)
	Takelot Meriamon Siiset (Beloved of Amon, Son of Isis)
Son of Osorkon III by Tentsai. High priest of Amen at Thebes until ca. 775 BC, then co-regent of Osorkon III. He was also independent ruler at Leontopolis. He ordered to build temple of Osiris – Lord of Eternity at Karnak. Sons of Takelot III were high priests: Djedptahiefankh and Osorkon, his heir to the throne however was Amonrud, his younger brother.

754 - 714

Shapenupet I

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Hnm(t)-ib-imn
Sp-(n)-wp(t) (mri-mwt) , Sb-n-wp(t) (mri-mwt) , Hmt-nTr Sp-n-wp(t) , Sp-n-wpt

	Henemetibamon
	Shapenupet Meritmut

Daughter of Osorkon III and Karaotet. He founded a famous line of Divine Adorers of Amen. At the moment of entering the oiffice she assumed the title of “The Lady of the Two Lands, Embodiment of the will of Amen, Shapenupet Meritmut”. Her rule held at Thebes equaled royal power. During the reign of her, Osorkon III and Takelot III was erected the temple of Osiris at Karnak. After the Kushite Piankhi had entered Thebes, Shapenupet adopted his daughter Amenardis, thus making her the heir to the Theban throne.

757 - 754
?-730 (Drioton)
766/761-747/742 (Aston)

Amonrud (Rudamon)

Hr nb-mAat-xrw
Hkn-m-mAat
... ...
wsr-mAat-ra (stp-n-imn)
imn-rwSw (rwD-imn) , (mri-imn)

	Wesermaatre (Powerful is the Justice of Re)
	Rudamon Meriamon (Beloved of Amon)
Historians’ opinions vary widely as to length of rule of Amonrud due to interpretation of the famous graffito of Wadi Gasus which describes year 19 of his rule. One of Amonrud’s daughters, Irbastnubnefu, was married to prince Paieftchaumebast of Herakleopolis.

754 - 720/715
747/742-742/737 (Aston)

Iuput II

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... ...
wsr-mAat-ra (stp.n-imn)
iwpwt (mri-imn , sA-bAstt mri-imn)

	Wesermaatre (Powerful is the Justice of Re)
	Iuput Meriamon Sibastet (Beloved of Amon, Son of Bastet)
Ruler of Leontopolis in the Delta. Ally of Osorkon IV and Tefnakht against Kushite Piankhi. If the controversial graffito of Wadi Gasus mentioning year 19 of rule refers to Iuput (and not Amonrud) closer to the truth would be duration of Iuput II reign suggested by J. von Beckerath and F. Gomaà, as well as by K. Kitchen.

754 - 720
742/737-732/727 (Aston)

Payeftjawembastet

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... ...
nfr-kA-ra
pA(y).f-TAw-(m)-awi-bAstt , pA(y).f-TAw-(m)-a-bAstt

Ruled at Herakleopolis in opposition to other rulers of this dynasty as well as Saite dynasty XXIV. He was husband of Amonrud’s daughter, Irbastnubnefu. He protected Herakleopolis from attacks of Tefnakht of Sais but finally he accepted supremacy of the Kushite Piankhi.

754 - 725

Nimlot (III)

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nml(i)t

Presumably son of Osorkon III, appointed by him to the throne of Hermopolis. He was Tefnakht’s ally against Herakleopolitan principality and Kushite ruler Piankhi. After Hermopolis had been captured by Piankhi, Nimlot surrendered and became vassal of the Kushite. In the stele of Piankhi his name is inscribed with title of “king” and presented in the crown kheperesh and uraeus – insignia of royalty.

c.728

Djehutiemhat

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nfr-xpr-ra (Hai-Ha(w))
DHwti-m-HAt

720/715 - 715/710

Sheshonq VI

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stp.n-ra (wAs-n-at-n-ra)
SS(n)q

Existence of this ruler is historically doubtful. The only proof is a bronze pendant with the name SS (Shesh), however it may be incorrectly inscribed name of Sheshonq III.

	Neferkare (Beautiful is the Soul [Ka] of Re)
	Payeftjawembastet

	Neferkheperre (Beautiful is Manifestation of Re) Haihaw
	Djehutiemhat (Beloved of Thot)


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