The Third Intermediate Period is the third transition that connects the two major eras of New Kingdom and Late Period , the last chapter in the history of Pharaonic Egypt.

It covers a period of nearly three centuries since the ^eleventh century until the ^seventh century and is dominated by dynasties from Libyan tribes settled in the Nile Delta and Middle Egypt in particular, while Upper Egypt slip Gradually the influence of priests of Amun 's influence increasingly important realm of Napata.

Among the famous people of that time, we must remember the names:

• Psusennes
• Siamon
• Pinudjem
• Ioupout
• Shishak
• Osorkon
• Takelot
• Tefnakht

Dynasties of ^the Third Intermediate Period

• The ^twenty-first dynasty Tanite called because of its capital based in Tanis in the eastern delta of the Nile. In parallel a dynasty of high priests of Amon reigns over Upper Egypt from Aswan to Teudjo in Middle Egypt.

At the end of the ^twentieth dynasty , Ramses XI ( -1098 to -1069 ) has lost all power and the country is divided: from -1080 about Herihor , high priest of Amun at Thebes , becomes a kind of pseudo -pharaoh in Thebes while Ramses XI leads the north. At his death Smendes , an unknown, perhaps related to Herihor , founded the ^Twenty-first dynasty , who reigned only on the Lower Egypt , he set up his capital in the north-eastern Nile Delta , to Tanis. The clergy of Amon continues to reign over Thebes, in a purely theoretical vassal against the pharaoh. Thus unfolds the dynasty. Note that the only pharaoh of interest is Psusennes ^I. (about -1040 to -993 ), whose tomb is the only one to have been discovered completely untouched.

• The ^XXII Dynasty Bubastide called because of his hometown Bubastis , the capital remains at Tanis , and this dynasty in its infancy manages to reform the unit of the Two Lands.

During the ^eleventh century , the Libyan tribes, the " Machaouach "infiltrate into Egypt and form chiefdoms in the western delta. To -950 , a Pharaoh of Libyan origin, Sheshonq ^I. , ascended the throne of Tanis after marrying the daughter of the last pharaoh of the ^twenty-first dynasty. He founded what became known as the ^XXII Dynasty , known as Libyan dynasty. A portion of the priesthood of Amun took refuge in Upper Nubia, specifically Napata. Of the pharaohs of this dynasty, we include Osorkon II , known in particular for the wonderful "triad" in the Louvre.

• The ^XXIII dynasty reign in parallel with the end of the previous dynasty and sees the breakup of the territory into several independent kingdoms, one speaks of anarchy because if its Libyan pharaohs are related there are a mixed bag, almost feudal, reigning most time competing and warring against each other.

To -818 , another Libyan pharaoh founded ^XXIII dynasty , and established his capital at Bubastis , also located in the eastern delta. Thus the two powers share the Delta, they add up to power Theban south and that of Napata, Upper Nubia, plunging the country into anarchy and division. Osorkon III ( ^XXIII dynasty ) tries to weaken the power of the high priest by entrusting the task of " Divine Worshipper of Amun "(see Place of Women in Egypt ) to a princess of royal blood, to reconcile his dynasty and the clergy: it will be in vain.

• ^XXIV Dynasty , Saite called because of its home city Sais in the western Delta of Nile. Competitor of the kings of Dynasty ^XXIII Prince of Sais Tefnakht be the only truly oppose the invasion of Sudan who are leading the Late Period with the ^XXV Dynasty.

From the South this time Piankhy , Nubian and king of Napata, conquered Upper Egypt and sought to seize the Delta to complete the reunification: it is a failure. At that time coexist ^XXIV Dynasty "Jamahiriya" in the delta and the ^XXV Dynasty "Cushite" or "Ethiopian" in the south. These wars, deeply weaken Egypt. Kushite Dynasty manage to conquer the whole territory, but the Assyrians took the opportunity to expand their empire in the Middle East and -667 , Ashurbanipal to impose its suzerainty Egyptian kings. This marks the beginning of a long series of invasions that will continue after the end of the "Third Intermediate Period," throughout the Late Period.