The Twenty-fourth Dynasty of ancient Egypt was a short-lived group of pharaohs who had their capital at Sais in the western Nile Delta. This dynasty is often considered part of the Third Intermediate Period.
Tefnakhte I formed an alliance of the kinglets of the Delta, with whose support he attempted to conquer Upper Egypt; his campaign attracted the attention of the Nubian king Piye, who recorded his conquest and subjection of Tefnakhte of Sais and his peers in a well-known inscription. Tefnakhte is always called the "Great Chief of the West" in Piye's Victory Stela and in two stelas dating to the regnal years 36 and 38 of Shoshenq V.
Tefnakhte's successor, Bakenrenef, assumed the throne of Sais and took the royal name Wahkare. His authority was recognised in much of the Delta including Memphis where several Year 5 and Year 6 Serapeum stelas from his reign have been found. This Dynasty came to a sudden end when Shabaka, the second king of the Twenty-fifth Dynasty, attacked Sais, captured Bakenrenef and burned him alive.
Name | Dates | Comments |
---|---|---|
Shepsesre Tefnakhte I | 732–725 BC (7 years) | Known in Greek as Tnephachthos. |
Wahkare Bakenrenef | 725–720 BC (5 years) | Known in Greek as Bocchoris. |
Non-dynastic local rulers[]
After the waning centralised rule of the 22nd Dynasty in Lower Egypt and the 23rd Dynasty in Upper Egypt circa 760 BC, local kings throughout Egypt began ruling their territories independently (much like the emerging 24th Dynasty centred at Sais).
Name | Dates | Comments |
---|---|---|
Menkheperre Ini IV | ca. 740 BC (at least 5 years) | Either disposed or subjected by Piye's conquest. In case of the latter, he remained in power as a local Theban governor. |
Name | Dates | Comments |
---|---|---|
Neferkare Peftjauawybastet | ca. 757-720 BC | Vassal of Piye. Tefnakhte attempted to besiege Heracleopolis, but Piye came and broke the siege. |
Name | Dates | Comments |
---|---|---|
Nimlot | ca. 757-724 BC | Vassal of Piye who deflected towards Tefnakhte's coalision. Returned to his previous vassalage after being besieged by Piye. |
Neferkheperre-Khakhau Thutemhat | ca. 700 BC? | Known from a statue (CG 42212) bearing his name. |
Name | Dates | Comments |
---|---|---|
Shepeskare-Iryenre Gemenefkhonsubak | ca. 700-680 BC | Local Tanite ruler whose territories were not conquered by Piye. |
Sehotep(en)ibre Padibastet III | ca. 680-666 BC | Local Tanite ruler around the time of the Assyrian invasion under Esarhaddon and then Ashurbanipal in 666 BC. |
Name | Dates | Comments |
---|---|---|
Usermaatre-Setepenamun Iuput II | ca. 757-724 BC | Ally of Tefnakhte until they were defeated and conquered by Piye. Remained in power as a local governor. |
Preceded by: 22nd Dynasty |
Third Intermediate Period 24th Dynasty |
Succeeded by: 25th Dynasty |