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25th Dynasty of Egypt
Dynasty of Ancient Egypt 747-656 BCE, 91 years, consisting of 5 kings, belonging to the Third Intermediate Period.
The Cushites ruled a united Egypt from 715-671.
This dynasty emerged in Napata, a kingdom of Cush, corresponding to modern northern Sudan. King Piy made effective advances into Upper Egypt in the middle of 8th century.
This dynasty was established with Piy; he was not the first Cushite king to take get military gains on Egyptian soil, but would be the first to establish permanent control. Around 730, he led a northbound campaign that came as far north as Memphis, but he did not proceed into the Nile Delta, thereby allowing the 22nd Dynasty rulers of Lower Egypt to remain in power. In 715, the new Cushite king, Shabaqo, ended the 24 Dynasty in the most brutal way. He managed to reunite all of Egypt, and with him, Egypt came to its greatest extent along the Nile ever.
The main challenge for united Egypt ruled by kings originating south of the 1st cataract was the emerging Assyrian Empire, which took hold of large parts of the Middle East. A united army of Egyptians and Nubians proved not to be very united after all, when facing the Assyrian army, and was unable to hold the Assyrians back.
The Cushite rulers officially made Memphis their capital.
The Cushites emphasized ancient Egyptian culture, preferring Old Kingdom artistry.
During this period, the new office called God's wife of Amon, served by a woman, grew largely in influence in Thebes. The office of High Priest lost most of its importance, over a period it appears that it was empty or even shut down.
From the reign of Taharqa, the Cushites began loosing control over Egypt. The first wave came with the Assyrians, who entered Egypt proper in 671. King Taharqa was driven out of Lower Egypt, but he returned in 669 to reassert control over the territory as far north as Memphis, but this would only last 2 years, when a new Assyrian campaign was launched on Egypt. Late in the 660's, new Cushite king, Tanutanami launched a successful campaign against Lower Egypt, but again Assyrian troops would drive the Cushites back to Thebes. Tanutanami relocates to his Cushite homelands, and in 656 Thebes passed passively to the new 26th Dynasty of Sais. The latter had Assyrian backing in the beginning.
The successors of these kings continued their kingdom at Napata, moving it to Meroë in 590 BCE.
The rulers of the 25th Dynasty were great admirers of Egyptian culture. On Piy's victory stela from 730, he is presented in full conformity with Egyptian culture. Most things indicate that his successors continued such a line; the 25th Dynasty kings brought the tradition of royal burials in pyramids back to life, establishing the royal cemetery at al-Kurru (modern Sudan).
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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