The 22nd Dynasty is often referred to as the Libyan Bubastite Dynasty. Manetho lists the kings of this Dynasty as being from Bubastis which is located in the eastern delta. The Libyan element is evident in the founder, Sheshonq I, who inaugurated the sequence of Libyan Chiefs which ruled Egypt for the next 200 years. Sheshonq himself allied by marriage as the son-in-law of his predecessor Pseusennes II, had the strength of the military behind him as the commander-in-chief of all the armies of Egypt. Sheshonq was a strong ruler who brought the divided factions of Thebes and Tanis together into a once more united Egypt.
Following the death of Solomon in 930 B.C.E., the kingdom of Judah and Israel began to be ruled by Rehoboam, Solomon's son, and Jeroboam I afterward. This governmental reign was prime for Egyptian military intervention. In 925 B.C.E., in a highly successful campaign, the like of which had not been seen since the days of Ramesses III in the 20th Dynasty, they were defeated. He moved first against Judah, arriving before the walls of Jerusalem, held by Rehoboam. The city was surrounded but Sheshonq was bought off from entering it by being given the treasures of the House of the Lord and the treasures of the kings house. All of Solomon's treasures, except the most sacred and emotive Ark of the Covenant, fell to Sheshonq. Pharaoh then turned his attentions to Israel, pursuing his earlier protégé Jeroboam, who fled over the Jordan River. Finally, Sheshonq halted at Megiddo, the scene of Tuthmosis III's victory 500 years before, and erected a victory Stele in the manner of his predecessors.
Osokon I, who succeeded his father, continued to provide strong patronage for the various leading priesthoods, thereby consolidating his position as well as maintaining a continuous building program, especially at his native city of Bubastis. The chief priesthood of Amun at Karnak was taken from his brother Input and given to one of his sons, Sheshonq(II) whom he took as a co-regent in 890 B.C.E. Sheshonq, however, died a few months earlier than his father, and both were buried at Tanis.
The successor was Takelot I, another son of Osokon by a minor wife. This reign, although 15 years in length, has left no major monuments, but saw the beginning of the fragmentation of Egypt once more into two power bases.
Osokon II succeeded Takelot I as pharaoh in 874 B.C.E. at much the same time that his cousin Harsiese succeeded his father (Sheshonq III) as High Priest of Amun at Karnak. Problems arose in year 4 of Osokon II when Harsiese declared himself king in the South. Although he was only king in name, when Harsiese died Osokon II consolidated his own position by appointing one of his sons, Nimlot, as High Priest at Karnak and another son, Sheshonq, as High Priest of Ptah at Memphis. Osokon II thereby had the two major priesthoods of Egypt in his families grasp as a political more rather than from any religious motivation.
Takelot II succeeded his father Osorkon II in 850 and maintained stability in the South where his half brother Nimlot had consolidated his position by extending North to Herakleopolis and placing his son Ptahwedjankhef in charge there. Nimlot then married his daughter Karomama II to Takelot II, thereby cementing a bond between North and South and becoming the father-in-law of his half brother.
The Crown Prince, Osorkon, never succeeded to the throne because his younger brother Sheshonq moved to seize power, proclaiming himself pharaoh as Sheshonq III with a reign of 53 years.
Harsiese reappeared as Chief High Priest of Amun, apparently without too much commotion at Thebes because Sheshonq had let the Thebans have their own way and choice. In 806 B.C.E., the usurped Prince Osorkon was appointed to the High Priests' post at Thebes. Unusually, he had not been disposed of by his usurping younger brother. Then in 800 B.C.E. Harsiese once again assumed the office of High Priest, only to disappear, maybe dead. Prince Osorkon had not died when Harsiese returned to power and was still evident in Upper Egypt with a controlling hand for another 10 years.
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