TEFNAKHTE

chieftain of Sais, in the northwest Nile delta, later king and founder of the 24th dynasty, which lasted from about 722 to about 715 BC. He was reduced to vassalage by Piye (formerly called Piankhi), a Cushite (Nubian) ruler who invaded Egypt. From his base in the northwest delta, Tefnakhte, a Libyan prince, advanced south in a bid to conquer Upper Egypt. Securing allies along the way, he succeeded in reaching Hermopolis, a Middle Egyptian town. This action provoked the Cushite, who was the protector of Upper Egypt, to action. In a swift series of attacks, he smashed Tefnakhte's river fleet and drove him back to Memphis, near modern Cairo, where a stubborn siege developed. While Tefnakhte went northward seeking reinforcements, Piye captured Memphis and resumed his advance into the delta. Tefnakhte submitted, but not in person, and swore a loyalty oath as a vassal. After Piye returned to Cush, Tefnakhte quickly abandoned his oath and proclaimed himself king of Egypt. The king So, with whom Hosea, king of Israel, conspired according to 2 Kings 17:14, has been identified by some scholars as Tefnakhte, So probably referring to Sais, his capital. This event, if accurately placed, would predate Piye's intervention in Lower Egypt.