Shoshenq III facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shoshenq III |
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Shoshenq III, standing on the boat "msktt", the boat of the night, with the god Atum. From his tomb in Tanis.
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| Pharaoh | |
| Reign | 837–798 BC (22nd Dynasty) |
| Predecessor | Osorkon II |
| Successor | Shoshenq IV |
| Consort | Tjesbastperu |
| Children | Ankheseshoshenq, Bakennefi A, Pashedbast B, Pimay, Takelot D, Padehenebast |
| Died | 798 BC |
| Burial | NRT V, Tanis |
King Shoshenq III, also known as Usermaatre Setepenre, was an Egyptian pharaoh from the 22nd Dynasty. He ruled for a long time – about 39 years! During his rule, two special sacred bulls called Apis Bulls were buried. He also celebrated a big festival called a Heb Sed Jubilee in his 30th year as king. This festival was usually held to celebrate a king's long reign.
Shoshenq III was not the direct son of the previous king, Osorkon II. He was Osorkon II's grandson, through his father Prince Takelot. Because he was only a grandson, his cousin Takelot II tried to become king instead. This caused Egypt to be divided into different ruling areas. To make his claim to the throne stronger, Shoshenq III married his aunt, Tjesbastperu. Shoshenq III lived longer than his first five sons. So, his sixth son, Shoshenq IV, became king after him. However, Shoshenq IV also died without children. Then, Shoshenq III's seventh son, Pami, became the next pharaoh.
From Shoshenq III's eighth year as king, Egypt started to lose its political unity. A new ruler named Pedubast I appeared in Thebes. After this, the kings of the 22nd Dynasty only controlled Lower Egypt. The High Priest of Thebes, Osorkon B (who later became Osorkon III), recorded his activities in Thebes during Shoshenq III's reign. He did this for official reasons, even though he didn't declare himself king after his father, Takelot II, died. Experts believe that Takelot II's 25th year as ruler was the same as Shoshenq III's 22nd year.
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Family Life of Shoshenq III
Shoshenq III had two wives. One was Djed-Bast-Es-Ankh. She was the daughter of Takelot B, who was a High Priest in Memphis. His other wife was Tjesbastperu, who was the daughter of Osorkon II.
Shoshenq III's Children
Shoshenq III had at least four sons and one daughter. Their names were Ankhesen-Shoshenq (his daughter), Bakennefi A, Pashedbast B, Pimay, and Takelot C. Pimay was known as the 'Great Chief of the Ma'. Takelot C was a Generalissimo, which is a very high military rank. There might have been another son named Padehebenbast, but this is not certain.
It seems that all these children died before their father, Shoshenq III, during his long rule of almost 40 years. For a while, people thought that Pimay, whose name means 'The Lion', was the same person as King Pami, whose name means 'The Cat'. However, now we know they were different people because their names are spelled and mean different things. Instead, a different person named Shoshenq IV became king after Shoshenq III.
Where Shoshenq III Was Buried
Shoshenq III was buried in a royal tomb called NRT V in Tanis. Sadly, this tomb was later looted.
Images for kids
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Tomb of Shoshenq III at Tanis.
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Reliefs on the south wall of Shoshenq III's tomb.
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Reliefs on the walls of the tomb.
