Shabaka

Shabaka was the second pharaoh of the 25th Dynasty, who ruled with Menkheperre Piankhi from 637 to 585 B.C. He ruled more independently from 597 to 585 B.C. Shabaka was appointed a position in the government by Menkheperre, proclaimed himself pharaoh forty years later, and was succeeded by Shabataka. Upon his coronation as pharaoh, he also accepted the five-fold titulary of Thutmose IV, and named himself Menkheperure Thutmose. Much more is known about this pharaoh in revised history than the traditional history.

Shabaka was the son of Rudamon of the 22nd Dynasty, who was the son of Piankh of the 21st Dynasty, who was the son-in-law of Osorkon III of the 23rd Dynasty. He was also the cousin of Menkheperre Piankhi. This links him to rulers from three other dynasties. Shabaka had two sons important to the revised chronology, Shabataka and Taharka.

In 639 B.C., Piankhi defeated the Assyrian forces occupying Egypt, and drove them out of both Africa and the Levant. Two years later, he appointed Shabaka, his cousin, to a prominent position governing Memphis. In Shabaka's nineteenth year (619 B.C.), he was sent to govern a treaty with Assyria to finally bring peace. His absence led to a rebellion that same year that Piankhi had to put down.

Very little happened in Shabaka's life following this event, except for following 597 B.C., when Shabaka proclaimed himself pharaoh in Piankhi's advanced age, and accepted the honorary name Menkheperure Thutmose. Shabaka then set about restoring the magnificent Sphinx, until he died twelve years later in 585 B.C. and passed the throne on to his son, Shabataka.

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