Bocchoris

Bocchoris (Egyptian: Bakenrenef) was the sole pharaoh of the 24th Dynasty. Ruling from the city of Sais in the western Delta, his brief reign of only 5 or 6 years left an indelible mark on history. While his political power was limited, his reputation as a wise lawgiver echoed through the centuries, celebrated by Greek writers long after his death.

Egyptian Name	Bakenrenef ("Servant of his Name")
Throne Name	Wahkare ("Constant is the Ka of Ra")
Dynasty	24th Dynasty (Third Intermediate Period)
Capital	Sais (Western Delta)

Bocchoris is historically important not for military conquest, but for his mind. In classical tradition (Diodorus Siculus), he is listed as one of the six great lawgivers of Egypt. He represents the intellectual spirit of the Delta city of Sais, standing for independence and justice during a chaotic time when Libyan warlords and Nubian kings fought for control of Egypt.

Son of Tefnakht I, the great Prince of the West who had opposed the Kushite invasion, Bocchoris inherited a kingdom that was economically rich but politically surrounded. He ruled Lower Egypt at a dangerous moment: the Libyan dynasties were in decline, and the powerful Nubian Kingdom of Kush was advancing from the south, aiming to unite the Nile Valley under its own rule.

His capital, Sais (Sa el-Hagar), was a thriving commercial center and the cult seat of the goddess Neith. It was a city of ideas, commerce, and connection to the Mediterranean world. This cosmopolitan environment likely influenced Bocchoris's progressive approach to governance, fostering a culture where law and wisdom were valued over brute force.

While his laws were revolutionary, his military position was weak. Bocchoris avoided major wars, likely realizing he could not match the might of the Kushite armies. Instead, he relied on diplomacy and the natural defenses of the Delta. However, wisdom alone could not hold back the tide of conquest forever.

The conflict began with the invasion of the Kushite king Piye and culminated under his successor, Shabaka. The Nubian kings, seeing themselves as the true restorers of Egyptian order, viewed the Delta rulers as rebellious vassals. Shabaka launched a full-scale invasion of the north to crush the last independent stronghold at Sais.

Bocchoris's reign ended in tragedy. According to Manetho, when Shabaka captured him, he ordered the wise king to be burned alive. This brutal execution was likely a calculated act to terrorize the Delta elite and extinguish the Saite line. With his death, the 24th Dynasty ended, and Egypt was fully unified under the 25th (Kushite) Dynasty.

King	Primary Trait	Legacy
Shoshenq I	Military Might	Expanded Empire
Osorkon II	Religious Ritual	Political Stability
Bocchoris	Law & Wisdom	Intellectual Fame