Third Intermediate Period of Egypt: Era of Foreign Invasion

Q: What is the Third Intermediate Period of Egypt?

The Third Intermediate Period of Egypt is the era following the New Kingdom and preceding the Late Period, characterized by a decentralized government, foreign incursions or invasions, and slow decline.

Q: Was the Third Intermediate Period of Egypt really a dark age?

No. The Third Intermediate Period of Egypt maintained the culture and traditions of ancient Egypt but, lacking cohesive rule, was open to incursions by the Kushites and invasions by the Assyrians and Persians.

Q: Who were the rulers during the Third Intermediate Period of Egypt?

During the Third Intermediate Period of Egypt, the country was ruled by Egyptians, Libyans, and Kushites at varying times.

Q: How did the Third Intermediate Period of Egypt end?

The Third Intermediate Period of Egypt ended with the Persian victory over the Egyptians at the Battle of Pelusium in 525 BCE. The era then entered the Late Period, which continued the decline of Egyptian culture.

Joshua J. Mark

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Definition

The Third Intermediate Period (circa 1069-525 BCE) is the era following the New Kingdom (circa 1570 to circa 1069 BCE) and preceding the Late Period of ancient Egypt (525-332 BCE). Egyptian history was divided into eras of kingdoms and intermediate periods by Egyptologists of the 20th century to clarify the country's history, but these were not used by the ancient Egyptians themselves.

More about: Third Intermediate Period of Egypt

Timeline

c. 1077 BCE - c. 1047 BCE
Founding of the city of Tanis.
c. 1069 BCE - 525 BCE
Third Intermediate Period in Egypt.
c. 1069 BCE - c. 943 BCE
21st Dynasty of Egypt.
c. 943 BCE - c. 837 BCE
22nd Dynasty of Egypt.
c. 943 BCE - 922 BCE
Reign of Shoshenq I in Egypt.
c. 837 BCE - c. 747 BCE
23rd and 24th Dynasties of Egypt.
c. 750 BCE
King Kashta of the Kingdom of Kush takes Egypt.
c. 747 BCE - 665 BCE
25th Dynasty of Egypt under Nubians of Kush.
747 BCE - 721 BCE
King Piye of Kush conquers Egypt.
721 BCE - 707 BCE
King Shabaka of Kush extends control over Egypt.
707 BCE - 690 BCE
King Shebitku of Kush rules Egypt.
c. 671 BCE - c. 670 BCE
Assyrian invasion of Egypt under Esarhaddon.
666 BCE
Assyrian invasion of Egypt under Ashurbanipal.
665 BCE - 525 BCE
26th Dynasty of Egypt.
c. 665 BCE - 610 BCE
Reign of Psammetichus I (Psamtik I) in Egypt who frees country from Assyrians.
610 BCE - 595 BCE
Reign of Necho II in Egypt.
595 BCE - 589 BCE
Reign of Psammetichus II (Psamtik II) in Egypt.
589 BCE - 570 BCE
Reign of Apries in Egypt.
570 BCE - 526 BCE
Reign of Amassis (Ahmose II) in Egypt.
526 BCE - 525 BCE
Reign of Psamtik (Psammetichus) III in Egypt, ending with the Persian invasion.
525 BCE
Persian invasion of Egypt.
525 BCE
Third Intermediate Period ends with Persian Invasion under Cambyses II.