Français – عربي – ⵜⴰⵎⴰⵣⵉⵖⵜ – English
Translation: Souliman El Abdellaoui
The Libyan Amazighs, neighbouring Pharaonic Egypt, had a strong influence on Egyptian history. They are regularly mentioned in Egyptian inscriptions and depicted in Egyptian art. By dint of these references, they are better known than other Amazigh tribes of this ancient time. There were even two Pharaonic dynasties of Libyan origin!
| Old Egypt was the first great North African civilisation. However, on this website, we chose not to write on Egypt, for two reasons. First, Egyptian ancient history is already very well-known, more than the rest of North Africa. Second, nowadays, Egypt is culturally distinct from the Maghrebian countries. We only mention the history of Egypt when it interacts with the history of its neighbours. |
The Libu
The name of Libya derives from Libu (ⵍⵉⴱⵓ), an Amazigh tribe that inhabited the region to the West of Egypt. The Libu were mentioned for the first time on a stele in the al-Alamein region, dating back to the era of Pharaoh Ramses II (1279-1213). They are described as enemies of Egypt. During the reign of Ramses II, several military fortifications were built in the west of the Nile, indicating an imminent threat.
Merenptah (1213-1203), the son and successor of Ramses II, fought and defeated a coalition between the Libu and the ‘Sea Peoples,’ an unknown maritime civilization. This war is depicted in the Great Karnak Inscription, one of the most well-known Egyptian inscriptions. Subsequently, the Libu were once again defeated by Ramses III (1186-1155).
The Meshwesh
Another Amazigh tribe, the Meshwesh, lived in the same region. They were mentioned earlier than the Libu, dating back to the reign of Pharaoh Amenhotep III (1390-1350), for providing livestock to the Pharaoh’s palace. They were in almost constant conflict with Egypt during the 19th and 20th dynasties (1292-1075).
Egyptian sources describe the Meshwesh as men with long hair and tattoos. They were nomadic shepherds and hunters who raised camels and goats. They used the milk for consumption, and the wool for making clothes and tents.
After their defeat against Ramses III, the Libu allied with the Meshwesh. Together, they invaded the Nile Delta but were once again defeated. Following this defeat, the Meshwesh living in the Nile Delta were forced to assimilate into Egyptian society. Their language gradually disappeared.
After the collapse of the 20th dynasty of Egypt, four Meshwesh principalities, each led by a ‘Great Chief of the Ma,’ emerged in the Nile Delta, at Mendes (Tell el-Ruba), Sebennytos (Samannud), Busiris (Abusir Bana), and Per-Sopdu (Saft el-Hinna). Other smaller principalities were led by “Chiefs of the Ma”.
The Pharaohs of Libyan origin
During the period of instability that followed the fall of the 20th dynasty, the Great Chiefs of the Ma were among the most powerful lords in Egypt. In 992, Osorkon the Elder, son of the Great Chief of the Ma Sheshonq the Elder, became the first Pharaoh of Libyan origin. He ruled for six years. During this time, the Pharaohs were officially kings of all Egypt, but in reality, they only dominated Lower Egypt, while Upper Egypt was under the rule of the priests of Amun in Thebes.
The 22nd dynasty, founded in 943 by Sheshonq I, a nephew of Osorkon, is the first dynasty of Libyan origin. Sheshonq I is commonly identified with Shishak, the Pharaoh mentioned in the Bible, who plundered the Temple of Jerusalem; the biblical account mentions the presence of Libyan warriors in the Egyptian army. The biblical mention of Shishak may be the first written reference to the Amazigh, and the (approximate) year of the advent of Sheshonq I has been adopted as “year 0” of the modern Amazigh calendar. The Pharaohs of the 22nd dynasty ruled for two centuries, until 720.
Another dynasty of Libyan origin, the 23rd dynasty, ruled over Upper Egypt from 833 to 735, concurrently with the 22nd dynasty ruling over Lower Egypt. Its founder, Takelot II, was the son of a priest of Amun.
Book presentation: The Libyan Pharaohs of Egypt, by Aidan Dodson
Great Chiefs of the Libu
The Pharaohs’ rule over Egypt during the 22nd and 23rd dynasties was fragile. During this period, a new Libu kingdom emerged in the Nile Delta. The first ‘Great Chief of the Libu,’ Inamunnifnebu, began to reign around 795. Around 732, his successor, Ankh-Hor, was defeated by Tefnakht, the prince of the city of Saiss (Sa El-Hajar).
Tefnakht, although he was of Egyptian and not Libyan origin, proclaimed himself both Great Chief of the Ma and Great Chief of the Libu. After his victory against Ankh-Hor, he became Pharaoh (732-725) and founded the 24th dynasty. This marks the end of both the Great Chiefs of the Libu and the Pharaohs of Libyan origin.
Under the reign of Bakenranef (Bocchoris in Greek, 725-720), Tefnakht’s brother and sucessor, Egypt would be invaded by the Nubians. After the Libyan dynasties, the 25th dynasty would thus be Nubian. Some sources claim that the 26th dynasty (664-525) was also Libyan, but this is uncertain.
Meanwhile in Libya
With the fall of the Libyan Pharaohs, Libyan influence over Egypt faded. The Libu who remained in Libya, however, continued to prosper. By the 7th century, they were in contact with the Greek colonies in Cyrenaica.
