The Libyan Pharaohs of Egypt
Their Lives and Afterlives
Will be published approx. on 2. December 2025
Book
Hardback
244 pages
978-1-64903-310-9 (ISBN)
Description
A comprehensive account of the Libyan pharaohs of Egypt, who ruled from the tenth through the seventh centuries BC, accessibly written by renowned Egyptologist Aidan Dodson
During the tenth through the seventh centuries BC, Egypt was ruled by a series of pharaohs of Libyan ancestry, who ranged from Shoshenq I, conqueror of Jerusalem, to individuals so obscure that some may actually be spelling errors. The Libyans had hitherto been enemies of the Egyptians, with conflicts going back into the third millennium BC. Yet during the eleventh century we find Libyan names among members of Egyptian elite families, and early in the next century a pharaoh of Libyan descent ascended the Egyptian throne. There is no evidence of any violent take-over, so it appears likely that ongoing immigration and intermarriage with the Egyptian elites had brought a Libyan line to this point.
Although the earlier Libyan pharaohs seem to have maintained the tradition of a unitary Egyptian state, as time went by, Libyan ideas of decentralized control became more prevalent. As a result, we find individuals holding both Libyan and Egyptian titles controlling distinct territories around Egypt, some of whom assumed the names and titles of a pharaoh. Conflict sometimes accompanied this process, with a long civil war fought for the control of southern Egypt and the great religious capital of Thebes. Some degree of central control was imposed with the advent of a further set of rulers from Nubia during the eight century, but a single Egyptian state would not be restored until the middle of the seventh century.
The Libyan Pharaohs of Egypt reconstructs the story of this era, covering not only its complex political history, but also its monuments - both for the living and the dead-and its aftermath, including the rediscovery of its kings and monuments in modern times.
During the tenth through the seventh centuries BC, Egypt was ruled by a series of pharaohs of Libyan ancestry, who ranged from Shoshenq I, conqueror of Jerusalem, to individuals so obscure that some may actually be spelling errors. The Libyans had hitherto been enemies of the Egyptians, with conflicts going back into the third millennium BC. Yet during the eleventh century we find Libyan names among members of Egyptian elite families, and early in the next century a pharaoh of Libyan descent ascended the Egyptian throne. There is no evidence of any violent take-over, so it appears likely that ongoing immigration and intermarriage with the Egyptian elites had brought a Libyan line to this point.
Although the earlier Libyan pharaohs seem to have maintained the tradition of a unitary Egyptian state, as time went by, Libyan ideas of decentralized control became more prevalent. As a result, we find individuals holding both Libyan and Egyptian titles controlling distinct territories around Egypt, some of whom assumed the names and titles of a pharaoh. Conflict sometimes accompanied this process, with a long civil war fought for the control of southern Egypt and the great religious capital of Thebes. Some degree of central control was imposed with the advent of a further set of rulers from Nubia during the eight century, but a single Egyptian state would not be restored until the middle of the seventh century.
The Libyan Pharaohs of Egypt reconstructs the story of this era, covering not only its complex political history, but also its monuments - both for the living and the dead-and its aftermath, including the rediscovery of its kings and monuments in modern times.
Reviews / Votes
"Aidan Dodson skillfully gathers and presents the scattered evidence for Egypt's Libyan rulers, much of it little-known to the general reader, and succeeds in clarifying their lives and legacy."-Campbell Price, University of Manchester"Fascinating. A detailed and thought-provoking examination of a very complicated period in the history of ancient Egypt, and a worthy addition to Dodson's series on Egypt and its rulers throughout the ages."-Eric H. Cline, The George Washington University
"Aidan Dodson's fascination with the Libyan Period shines through all the pages of this monograph, which is a welcome addition to the growing literature on this captivating epoch. Lavishly illustrated throughout, he gives a clear interpretation of current academic opinion relating to all aspects of the history, major players, and extant monuments of Egypt from the tenth to eighth centuries BC. Additionally, a final section contains an absorbing account of how different scholarly views on the Third Intermediate Period have evolved during the past two centuries."-David Aston, Austrian Academy of Sciences
"In The Libyan Pharaohs of Egypt, Aidan Dodson presents an illuminating overview of a fascinating but little-known chapter in ancient Egyptian history. Written in his usual engaging and accessible style, this book offers both scholars and general readers a compelling account of the lives, reigns, and lasting legacy of Egypt's Libyan rulers. Richly illustrated and thoughtfully organized, it brings clarity to a complex and often misunderstood period."-Troy L. Sagrilo, Swansea University
PRAISE FOR THUTMOSE III AND HATSHEPSUT, PHARAOHS OF EGYPT:
"A wonderfully illustrated and detailed history."-Kara Cooney, author of Recycling for Death
"Aidan Dodson brings his comprehensive knowledge and exacting analysis to one of the most interesting and monument-rich periods of pharaonic history."-Campbell Price, University of Manchester
"No other resource provides such a concise overview of this pivotal period in Egyptian history. "-Stephen P. Harvey, Ahmose and Tetisheri Project, Abydos
PRAISE FOR TUTANKHAMUN, KING OF EGYPT:
"Dodson's historical work is ever reliable, and this volume of Tutankhamun is no exception."-Kara Cooney, When Women Ruled the World
"By far the best book on Tutankhamun on the market."-Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones, Cardiff University
PRAISE FOR THE FIRST PHARAOHS:
"Comprehensive, well-written, and profusely illustrated . . . . Recommended"-CHOICE
PRAISE FOR NEFERTITI, QUEEN AND PHARAOH OF EGYPT:
"The most objective and well-balanced summation of her career to date."-Morris Bierbrier, Egyptian Archaeology
"Writing an overview of Nefertiti's life and times is essentially an impossible task. . . Only a few people are up to this task, and thank Heavens that one of them is Aidan Dodson. Bravo!! Buy this book." -Stephen Harvey, Ahmose and Tetisheri Project
"Recommended."-CHOICE
"Dodson goes beyond prior scholarship by meticulously chronicling her life and offering up new theories about her origins and significance."-AramcoWorld
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
With printed dust jacket
Illustrations
130 color and b&w illus.
Dimensions
Height: 246 mm
Width: 199 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
1130 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-64903-310-9 (9781649033109)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Aidan Dodson is honorary full professor of Egyptology in the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology at the University of Bristol, UK. He was also Simpson Professor of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo in 2013 and Chair of the Egypt Exploration Society during 2011-16. Awarded his PhD by the University of Cambridge in 1995, he was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London in 2003. He is the author of some thirty books.
Content
Preface
Abbreviations and conventions
Introduction
1. Post-imperial Egypt and the Advent of the Libyan Pharaohs
2. Heyday
3. Disintegrations
4. Eclipse
5. Houses of Eternity
6. Aftermath and Limbo
7. Resurrection
Chronology
Notes
Bibliography
Sources of Images
Index
Abbreviations and conventions
Introduction
1. Post-imperial Egypt and the Advent of the Libyan Pharaohs
2. Heyday
3. Disintegrations
4. Eclipse
5. Houses of Eternity
6. Aftermath and Limbo
7. Resurrection
Chronology
Notes
Bibliography
Sources of Images
Index