Ramesses XI in the context of "Third Intermediate Period of Egypt"

⭐ In the context of the Third Intermediate Period of Egypt, what significant historical event coincided with the period of political instability and non-native Egyptian rule?

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⭐ Core Definition: Ramesses XI

Menmaatre Ramesses XI (also written Ramses and Rameses) reigned from 1107 BC to somewhere between 1078 BC and 1068 BC and is generally considered the tenth and final pharaoh of the Twentieth Dynasty of Egypt and as such, the last king of the New Kingdom period. He ruled Egypt for at least 29 years although some Egyptologists think he could have ruled for as long as 30. The latter figure would be up to 2 years beyond this king's highest known date of Year 10 of the wḥm-mswt ("Renaissance") era or Year 28 of his reign. One scholar, Ad Thijs, has suggested that Ramesses XI could even have reigned as long as 33 years.

It is believed that Ramesses ruled into his Year 29 since a graffito records that the general and High Priest of Amun Piankh returned to Thebes from Nubia on III Shemu day 23—or just 3 days into what would have been the start of Ramesses XI's 29th regnal year. Piankh is known to have campaigned in Nubia during Year 28 of Ramesses XI's reign (or Year 10 of the wḥm-mswt) and would have returned home to Egypt in the following year.

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👉 Ramesses XI in the context of Third Intermediate Period of Egypt

The Third Intermediate Period of ancient Egypt began with the death of Pharaoh Ramesses XI in 1077 BC, which ended the New Kingdom, and was eventually followed by the Late Period. Various points are offered as the beginning for the latter era, though it is most often regarded as dating from the foundation of the Twenty-Sixth Dynasty by Psamtik I in 664 BC, following the departure of the Nubian Kushite rulers of the Twenty-fifth Dynasty after they were driven out by the Assyrians under King Ashurbanipal. The use of the term "Third Intermediate Period", based on the analogy of the well-known First and Second Intermediate Periods, was popular by 1978, when British Egyptologist Kenneth Kitchen used the term for the title of his book on the period. While Kitchen argued that the period was 'far from being chaotic' and hoped that his work would lead to the abolishment of the term, with his own preference being the 'Post-Imperial epoch', his use of the term as a title seems only to have entrenched its use.

The period was ruled by non-native Egyptians and is viewed as one of decline and political instability including division of the state, coinciding with the Late Bronze Age collapse of civilizations in the ancient Near East and Eastern Mediterranean (including the Greek Dark Ages).

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Ramesses XI in the context of Piankh

Piankh or Payankh was a High Priest of Amun during the 21st Dynasty. Piankh has been assumed to be a son of Herihor and the heir to the Theban office, however recent studies have shown that Piankh was actually Herihor's Predecessor. Piankh also held positions as the King's scribe, King's son of Kush, Overseer of the granaries, and commander of the archers of Upper Egypt.Piankh in his position as Viceroy of Kush, would lead an army into Nubia where he would confront a Pinehesy of the former Viceroy of Kush. There is a debate because Piankh would have been living in Nubia, if he wanted to meet them in battle or secretly negotiate with Pinehesy. Piankh may have not been a loyal servant of Ramesses XI because of the negotiations that were taking place between Piankh and Pinhesy. While it is not known as to what Piankh's motivations were he would reunify the viceroyalty and the High priesthood in Kush after defeating Pinehesy. However, this reunification would only last until his death when Pinehesy would take back his position of power.

Piankh in his campaigns against Pinhesy, Piankh would finance his campaign through the sacking of Necropolis. Sacking of Necropolis would become a policy viceroyalty made by Piankh that would be continued under the priesthood after his death.

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LINKED FROM (PARENTS)
← Third Intermediate Period of Egypt ← Third Intermediate Period ← Piankh
LINKS TO (CHILDREN)
Pharaoh → Twentieth Dynasty of Egypt → New Kingdom of Egypt → Wehem Mesut → High Priest of Amun → Piankh → Thebes, Egypt → Nubia → Shemu →