Piankhi

Piankhi was a ruler of Kush, an ancient Nubian kingdom located south of Egypt. He is best known for his military conquest of Egypt around 747 BCE, establishing the Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt, also known as the Nubian Dynasty. Piankhi launched his campaign from Napata, his capital in Kush, after a period of growing instability and division within Egypt.

He detailed his victory in an extensive inscription found on a stela in the Temple of Amun at Gebel Barkal. This inscription describes Piankhi's advance through Egypt, his battles against various Egyptian rulers who had formed a confederation against him, and his eventual triumph. He presented himself not as a foreign invader but as a restorer of order and traditional Egyptian values, emphasizing his piety and respect for the gods.

After his conquest, Piankhi did not permanently reside in Egypt but returned to Kush. However, he ruled Egypt through appointed officials and maintained his authority. His reign marked a significant period of Kushite influence over Egypt, bridging the gap between the two cultures and leading to a revival of Egyptian art and architecture. His successors, such as Shabaka and Taharqa, continued to rule Egypt as pharaohs, solidifying Kushite dominance for several decades. Piankhi's campaign is a crucial event in the history of both Kush and Egypt, demonstrating the military and political power of the Nubian kingdom.