22nd Dynasty

The 22nd Dynasty was one of four dynasties that existed just prior to the Assyrian occupation of Egypt, and three dynasties that existed just after the Santorini eruption. It was preceded by the 19th Dynasty, and ruled concurrent with the 20th, 21st (Tanis), and 23rd Dynasties. It was followed by the 25th Dynasty. This dynasty ruled in Bubastis from 765 to 604 B.C., or 161 years. The dynasty consisted of Shoshenq I, Osorkon I, Takelot I, Osorkon II, Shoshenq III, Shoshenq IV, Pemay, Shoshenq V, and Osorkon IV.

The dynasty began just after the Santorini eruption in 765 B.C., when a group of opportunistic nomads ruled by Shoshenq I took over a section of the now politically fractured Nile delta. He and his two successors died by 740 B.C., when Osorkon II took power.

During Osorkon II’s reign, Takelot II split from this dynasty and created the 23rd Dynasty. Increasing dissonance within Egypt led to Assyria taking over the country in 671 B.C., and the dynasty became a series of regional rulers that governed only the small region of Bubastis.

Shoshenq V of this dynasty ruled for 38 years, and died in the Tefnakht rebellion of 619 B.C. His son and successor, Osorkon IV, ruled for fifteen more years, and at his death the dynasty was concluded.

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