769-716 B.C.

Kushite king whose invasion of Egypt in the 720s B.C. led to the establishment of the Twenty-Fifth (Nubian) Dynasty of pharaohs. Perhaps the first well-known figure from sub-Saharan Africa, Piankhi was a devoted worshipper of the Egyptian god Amon, and invaded Egypt to prevent the Libyan Tefnakhte from seizing control of the country. He conducted brilliant military campaigns against the Libyans, but seemed uninterested in occupying the country. Four years after his death, his brother Shabaka (r. 716-695 B.C.) established the Twenty-Fifth Dynasty (712-672 B.C.)