This period includes Dynasties from 21st to the 25th. After the death of King Ramses III, The state gradually collapsed until Egypt was divided. A family from Tanis (San El-hager, Sharqya), ruled lower Egypt while Upper Egypt was under the control of the high priests of Amun in Thebes, who shared power with the rulers of the north. In the south the Kushite Kingdom which origin goes back to the northern city of Kush started to rise. The kings are known today as the Black Pharaohs. They were influenced by Egyptian art, culture and religion. Kushite kings left many monuments some of which still exist today still existing. Prominent of them are Piye and Taharqo.
The Nubian kings entered into a clash with a new raising power in the east, the Assyrian state in Mesopotamia, which invaded Egypt more than once.
