The Third Intermediate Period refers to a specific era in ancient Egyptian history that followed the New Kingdom and preceded the Late Period. It spans from approximately 1070 BCE to 664 BCE, marked by a shifting power dynamics and political fragmentation within the region.
During the Third Intermediate Period, Egypt experienced a decline in central authority, resulting in the emergence of multiple competing factions vying for control over the land. Pharaohs of the 21st Dynasty initially maintained some political influence, but their authority gradually waned as they lost control over the various regions of Egypt.
One of the defining characteristics of this period was the influence of foreign powers, particularly the Libyans and the Nubians, who exerted a significant impact over Egyptian politics and society. These foreign rulers established their own independent dynasties, further fragmenting the once-unified Egyptian state.
While the pharaohs of this era often attempted to maintain traditional Egyptian customs and religious practices, the extensive foreign influence was reflected in their art, architecture, and burial customs. Influences from neighboring cultures, such as the Kushite Nubians, began to infiltrate Egyptian art forms.
The Third Intermediate Period ended with the Twenty-sixth Dynasty, also known as the Saite Period, when Psamtek I reunited Egypt under his rule and established a new era of stability. The Third Intermediate Period served as a transitional phase in Egyptian history, marking the decline of the New Kingdom and paving the way for the subsequent Late Period.
