ancient Egypt
Meanwhile, the eastern capital in the Nile River delta, Tanis, lost its importance to Sais in the western delta. A Libyan prince of Sais, Tefnakhte, attempting to gain control over all Egypt, proceeded southward to Heracleopolis after acquiring Memphis. This advance was met by the Cushite ruler Piye (now the accepted reading of “Piankhi," ruled c. 750–c. 719 bc), who executed a raid as far north as Memphis and received the submission of the northern rulers (in about 730 bc). In his victory stela, Piye is portrayed as conforming strictly to Egyptian norms and reasserting traditional values against contemporary decay. After Piye returned to Cush, Tefnakhte reasserted his authority in the north, where, according to Manetho, he was eventually succeeded by his son Bocchoris as the sole king of the 24th dynasty (c. 722–c. 715 bc). Piye’s brother Shabaka meanwhile founded the rival 25th dynasty and brought all Egypt under his rule (c. 719–703 bc). He had Bocchoris burned alive and removed all other claimants to the kingship. In this period Egypt’s internal politics were affected by the growth of the Assyrian Empire. In Palestine and Syria frequent ... (200 of 38,470 words)The 24th and 25th dynasties