21st Dynasty (Tanis)

The Tanite 21st Dynasty was a series of High Priests of Amun in Tanis, who ruled over the surrounding Nile delta for religious matters. The dynasty followed the Santorini eruption, ruled alongside the 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 25th Dynasties, and was followed by the 26th and 27th Dynasties. It lasted from around 760 B.C. to 564 B.C., or about 206 years in total. Nine priest-kings ruled this dynasty, including Smendes I, Psusennes I, Amenemnisu (Nephercheres), Amenemope, Osorkon (Osochor), Nesubanebdjed (Psinaches), Psusennes II, Amenemopet, and Siamun.

The 21st Dynasty in Tanis began around 760 B.C. after the catastrophic Santorini eruption. A group of opportunistic nomads ruled by Smendes I took the territory surrounding Tanis from a fractured Egypt, and began their new dynasty. The priests and kings of this dynasty ruled peacefully alongside their counterparts, until 671 B.C. when Assyria invaded Egypt.

Soon after the invasion, Nesubanebdjed was chosen by the Assyrians to control all religious matters within Tanis and the surrounding Nile delta. He maintained communication with his southern equals, Herihor and Piankh. The dynasty still continued through the long-lasting reign of Menkheperre Piankhi, though greatly weakened.

Finally, with the invasion and occupation of Babylon beginning in 564 B.C., the last occupant of this dynasty (Siamun) was exiled or killed. The Tanite 21st Dynasty, having lasted for two centuries, was now no more.

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