Chapter 3: The Black Pharaohs - The Kings of the 25th Dynasty

What is the 25th Dynasty?

• The 25th Dynasty was a period when kings from the Kingdom of Kush ruled Egypt

  • These Kushite rulers are often called the “Black Pharaohs.”

  • They came from Nubia, south of Egypt, and took advantage of a time when Egypt was politically divided

  • The four most important rulers were Piye, Shabaka, Taharqa and Tantamani

• The 25th Dynasty is important because it shows how the powerful African Kingdom of Kush was able to conquer and rule Egypt for about a century

Piye - The Conqueror

• Piye was the ruler who began the Kushite conquest of Egypt around 730 BCE

  • At the time, Egypt was divided between several rulers who were competing for power

• Piye led his army north into Egypt and defeated a number of Egyptian rulers

  • He eventually captured Memphis, an important Egyptian city

• His victories established Kushite control over much of Egypt and laid the foundation for the 25th Dynasty

• Piye is remembered as the conqueror who brought Egypt under Kushite control

Shabaka - The Consolidator

• Shabaka succeeded Piye and worked to strengthen Kushite control over Egypt

  • He presented himself as a legitimate Egyptian pharaoh and supported traditional Egyptian religion and culture

  • He also supported temples and building projects

• Shabaka helped make Kushite rule more firmly established throughout Egypt

• He is remembered for strengthening and consolidating the 25th Dynasty

Taharqa - The Builder and Warrior

• Taharqa was one of the most famous Kushite pharaohs

  • He ruled both Kush and Egypt during a time of conflict with the powerful Assyrian Empire

• Taharqa is remembered for building and restoring temples and monuments throughout Egypt and Kush

  • He also fought to defend Egypt against the Assyrians

• Although he was a powerful ruler, the Assyrians eventually pushed the Kushites out of Egypt

• Taharqa is remembered as a great builder and a determined warrior

Tantamani - The Last Kushite Ruler in Egypt

• Tantamani was one of the last Kushite kings to attempt to regain control of Egypt

• He was initially successful and managed to recapture Memphis, but the Assyrians responded and defeated his forces

• Tantamani was forced to retreat south to Kush

• After this, Kushite rule in Egypt came to an end, although the Kingdom of Kush continued to exist for many centuries

• Tantamani is remembered for his attempt to restore Kushite rule in Egypt

The four kings summary

• Piye conquered Egypt

• Shabaka strengthened Kushite rule

• Taharqa built monuments and fought the Assyrians

• Tantamani tried to regain Egypt

• Together, these rulers made the 25th Dynasty an important period in both African and

  Egyptian history