Political Relations Between Libyans and the Ancient Egyptian State

Abstract

This study investigates and analyzes a range of Pharaonic sources and archaeological evidence from Egypt’s Old Kingdom period, spanning from the Third to the Sixth Dynasty, with the aim of assessing the extent of Libyan interaction with and influence on Lower Egypt during this era.

The research traces the evolution of Egyptian-Libyan relations, beginning with recorded Libyan rebellions in the Nile Delta during the Third Dynasty, followed by King Sneferu’s military campaigns against the Libyans in the Fourth Dynasty, exploring the motivations and outcomes of these conflicts. It continues with the confrontations led by Fifth Dynasty rulers such as Sahure, and culminates with the comparatively peaceful relations of the Sixth Dynasty.

Additionally, the study examines social and political alliances, notably dynastic marriages between Egyptian pharaohs and Libyan royal women, assessing whether these were strategic unions or natural outcomes of close interaction. The research also explores the cultural diffusion of Libyan traditions, including their religious practices, social customs, and ways of life, and how these influenced the cultural fabric of ancient Egyptian society.