Herihor

Herihor was the first ruler and High Priest of Amun of the 21st Dynasty, who ruled as commander of the Egyptian army under the Assyrian occupation from 671 to 665 B.C. and as self-proclaimed ruler of Egypt from 665 to 661 B.C. He was appointed as commander of the army by Esarhaddon of Assyria, and was succeeded by Pinudjem I. Much more is known about Herihor in the revised history than in the traditional history.

Herihor’s parentage is not known, although some suggest that he may be the grandson of Ramesses XI through his mother. This is not likely in the revised history. He had some sons and daughters, though they are unknown to both histories.

In 671 B.C., the seventeenth year of Ramesses XI, the Assyrians ruled by Esarhaddon invaded and occupied Egypt. They exiled the Theban pharaoh Ramesses XI to Nubia, and appointed Herihor (at the time High Priest of Amun) as the commander of the Egyptian army. He made Piankh, son of Osorkon III, ruler at Thebes. Herihor ruled as commander of the army until 665 B.C., when he gave both his priestly and military duties to Piankh. He styled himself ruler of all Egypt, and he would maintain this facade until his death in 661 B.C. when Piankh’s son Pinudjem I was appointed his successor.

The evidence for the revised history can be found at Displaced Dynasties. Evidence regarding this pharaoh specifically can be found here and here.