Shoshenq V facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shoshenq V |
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In the background, Shoshenq V standing in front of an Apis bull on a stela of his Year 37.
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| Pharaoh | |
| Reign | c. 767–730 BC (22nd Dynasty) |
| Predecessor | Pami |
| Successor | Osorkon IV or Pedubast II |
| Consort | Tadibast III? |
| Children | Osorkon IV? or Pedubast II? |
| Father | Pami |
| Died | c. 730 BC |
Aakheperre Shoshenq V was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh (king) who ruled during the end of the 22nd Dynasty. He had one of the longest reigns of his dynasty, lasting 38 years.
Even though he ruled for a long time and many things from his reign have been found, we don't know much about his personal life. During his rule, Egypt started to break apart. Different local leaders and smaller kings gained more power and became independent. One of these powerful leaders was Tefnakht, who would later become a pharaoh himself.
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Shoshenq V's Time as Pharaoh
How Shoshenq V Ruled
Shoshenq V became pharaoh around 767 BC. He was the son of the previous pharaoh, Pami. This information comes from a special stone carving found at a place called Serapeum.
Even though we don't know much about his daily life, we have found many things from his reign. These items are mostly from the eastern part of the Nile Delta. This was the area he controlled. It's interesting that nothing from his time has been found in Thebes, a very important city in ancient Egypt.
It seems that during Shoshenq's rule, he lost control over cities like Memphis. This power went to other leaders, especially Libyan chiefs in the western Delta. The most important of these was Tefnakht from Sais. By the end of his long reign, Shoshenq V only ruled over small areas like Tanis and Bubastis.
Discoveries from Shoshenq V's Reign
Many records from Shoshenq V's reign have been found. For example, a record from his 11th year talks about the death and burial of a special bull called the Apis bull in Memphis. This bull had been chosen in the 2nd year of his father Pami's reign.
Other stone carvings, called stelae, mention Shoshenq V in his 7th, 15th (or 17th), 19th, 30th, and 37th years. These stelae were made by powerful local chiefs, often called Great Chiefs of the Libu. Their names were Tjerpahati, Ker, Rudamun, and Ankhhor. Another stela from Atfih mentions Shoshenq V in his 22nd year. It was dedicated to the goddess Hathor.
In the city of Tanis, Shoshenq V ordered a temple to be built for the gods, especially Khonsu. Around his 30th year as pharaoh, he also celebrated a special jubilee called a Sed festival. He added a chapel to the temple for this celebration. These buildings were later taken apart, and a sacred lake was built in their place.
From the remains of these buildings, we know that Shoshenq V used new royal names during his Sed festival. These names were different from the simpler ones he used on most of his monuments. This might have been a way to connect with older traditions. Other objects from Shoshenq V's time have been found at Tell el-Yahudiyeh.
In Shoshenq's 37th year, the Apis bull that was chosen in his 11th year died and was buried. This event is mentioned on several stelae from Serapeum. One famous stela, called the Stela of Pasenhor, also tells us about the family history of the early 22nd Dynasty. This Apis bull actually lived longer than Shoshenq V, dying in the 5th year of pharaoh Bakenranef from the 24th Dynasty.
The latest date we have for Shoshenq V's reign is an anonymous 38th year. This date comes from a stela found at Buto. It was made by Tefnakht, who was a powerful leader at the time but not yet a pharaoh. The stela mentions "Regnal Year 38 under the Majesty of the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Lord of the Two Lands," but Shoshenq V's name is left out. This shows how much power Tefnakht was gaining in the western Delta, possibly at Shoshenq V's expense. A similar stela from an anonymous 36th year also points to Tefnakht's growing influence.
Shoshenq V's End and Successors
Shoshenq V likely died around 730 BC. We know his father was Pami, but his other family connections are not very clear. It is often thought that Osorkon IV became pharaoh after him and might have been his son. Osorkon's mother was Queen Tadibast III, so she might have been Shoshenq V's queen. However, another pharaoh, Pedubast II, is sometimes placed as Shoshenq's successor, which makes the timeline a bit confusing.
