Herihor

Herihor was an Egyptian army officer and High Priest of Amun at Thebes during the reign of Ramesses XI, the last pharaoh of the Twentieth Dynasty. He is considered an important figure in the transition between the New Kingdom and the Third Intermediate Period of Egypt.

Herihor rose through the ranks of the Egyptian army, eventually attaining the position of Viceroy of Kush, effectively controlling Nubia for the Egyptian state. He also held the title of High Priest of Amun, giving him immense religious power in Thebes and its surrounding region.

During the latter part of Ramesses XI's reign, Herihor increasingly exercised independent authority in Upper Egypt. This period is characterized by a weakening of central authority in Egypt. He effectively ruled as a de facto king in the Theban region, although he never explicitly claimed the title of pharaoh during Ramesses XI's lifetime.

Herihor is known from inscriptions at Karnak, where he recorded his activities and titles. His mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri is also a significant source of information about his reign. His actions contributed to the gradual fragmentation of Egypt and the rise of regional power centers that characterized the Third Intermediate Period.

Upon Ramesses XI's death, Egypt was divided between Upper Egypt, controlled by the High Priests of Amun (a lineage which included Herihor), and Lower Egypt, which was ruled by Smendes I, who founded the Twenty-first Dynasty. This division marked a significant turning point in Egyptian history.