Zabaka

Zabaka, also known as Shabaka, was a pharaoh of the Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt, a dynasty of Kushite rulers. He is generally believed to have reigned from 721 BC to 707 BC, although some scholars suggest different dates. Zabaka was the successor of Piye and was succeeded by his nephew, Shabataka.

His reign is characterized by efforts to restore traditional Egyptian religious practices and to consolidate Kushite control over Egypt. Zabaka is credited with commissioning the creation of the Shabaka Stone, a significant artifact containing an ancient Egyptian theological text attributed to Memphis. The stone aims to unify Upper and Lower Egypt under the authority of Memphis and its patron god, Ptah. This artifact offers valuable insight into the religious and political climate of the period and Zabaka's efforts to legitimize his rule.

Zabaka undertook building projects, including additions and renovations to temples, particularly in the Theban region. He is recorded in Manetho's Aegyptiaca as having overthrown Bocchoris, the sole ruler of the Twenty-fourth Dynasty, burning him alive. However, the historicity of this event is debated by historians.

The details surrounding Zabaka's death are unclear, and his legacy is marked by both the consolidation of Kushite power in Egypt and the subsequent conflicts and challenges faced by his successors. He is considered an important figure in the history of both Egypt and the Kingdom of Kush.