Takelot II

Takelot II was the first pharaoh of the 23rd Dynasty, who ruled from 715 to 690 B.C. He succeeded Osorkon II and created a new dynasty in southern and central Egypt, and was succeeded by Pedubast I and Iuput I. More is known about this pharaoh than nearly any other ruler in this dynasty.

Takelot was the grandson of Osorkon II, and the father of Osorkon III. Little other than this is known about his genealogy.

In 715 B.C., the grandson of Osorkon II broke away from the 22nd Dynasty and formed a new dynasty in central and southern Egypt, near Thebes. This was the beginning of the 23rd Dynasty. The next major event in Takelot’s rule happened in 701 B.C., when Egyptian troops were sent to help Judah during an Assyrian attack by Sennacherib. They were defeated by the Assyrian king.

However, soon after this event, some sort of tectonic upheaval hit Egypt, causing social and political unrest. A rival of Takelot, Pedubast I, challenged his rule and took over Thebes, where he would rule until after Takelot’s death. Takelot died ten years later, and his death brought even more political upheaval.

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