Dynasty:

Pinedjem was one of the first kings of the 21st Dynasty .

History:

At the beginning of the 21st dynasty, there were two individuals officially rising to power almost simultaneously in about 1070 BC. They were Smendes in the north at Tanis and Pinedjem in the south at Thebes . While we are really unsure of Smendes claim to the Egyptian throne, Pinedjem I's pedigree is better known. He was the son of the preceding High priest of Amun , Piankh, who ruled southern Egypt for only a short time after the death of Hrihor Pinedjem apparently married Henuttawy (I), a daughter of Ramesses XI . It also seems very possible that Smendes' wife could have also been a daughter of the same king. There may have been an upheaval of the Tanis, Thebes relationship around year 16 of Smendes ' reign. For a period of time, although claiming no more than his military and priestly titles, Pinudjem executed a number of monuments showing him in full pharaonic regalia. Although in one case a representation was altered back to showing him in priestly garb, as if to hint at some hesitation on Pinudjem's part, from year 16, we find him bearing full pharaonic titles. Beyond Henuttawy (I), he apparently had a second wife named Maatkare, and by his wives, several sons including Psusennes I, who perhaps surprisingly became a successor of Smendes in the North, And Masaherta and Menkheppere, who became successive High priests of Amun at Thebes, and therefore rulers of the south.

Monuments:

Pinedjem I's mummy and a large number of his bright blue faience funerary figurines were found at Al Deir Al-Bahari cache in six boxes. Like the mummy of Nodjmet, the wife of Hrihor, Pinedjem appears to have been moved to this cache of mummies from a previous cache. He may have attempted to take over the tomb of Ramesses XI, but never did so for unknown reasons. In fact, none of the original burials of any of the High priests from this period are currently known.