The Third Intermediate Period

The Third Intermediate Period in ancient Egypt began with the death of Pharaoh Ramesses XI in 1070 BC, bringing the New Kingdom to an end, and was subsequently followed by the Late Period. The latter era is thought to have begun with the establishment of the Twenty-Sixth Dynasty by Psamtik I in 664 BC, following the departure of the Nubian Kushite monarchs of the Twenty-fifth Dynasty after they were forced out by the Assyrians under King Ashurbanipal. Kenneth Kitchen, a British Egyptologist, invented the term "Third Intermediate Period" in 1978.

Following the death of Ramesses XI in 1078 BC, Smendes took control of Egypt's northern region, reigning from Tanis. The High Priests of Amun at Thebes effectively dominated the south, recognizing Smendes only in name. Libyans were settling in the western delta at the time, and chieftains of these settlers began to increase their autonomy. Under Shoshenq I, Libyan rulers acquired control of the delta, establishing the so-called Libyan or Bubastite dynasty that would dominate for the next 200 years. Shoshenq also achieved control of southern Egypt by appointing members of his family to significant priestly positions. As a rival monarchy in the delta developed in Leontopolis and the Kushites threatened from the south, Libyan control began to weaken.

Egypt's global prestige plummeted toward the end of the Third Intermediate Period. Its foreign allies had fallen into the Assyrian sphere of influence, and war between the two states had become unavoidable by 700 BC. The Assyrian conquest of Egypt began between 671 and 667 BC. Both Taharqa's and his successor, Tanutamun's administrations were marked by persistent conflict with the Assyrians, against whom Egypt won significant triumphs. Eventually, the Assyrians drove the Kushites back into Nubia, seized Memphis, and sacked Thebes' temples.

Period: 1070–653 BC