Apries, son of Psammetichus II, was the fourth pharaoh of the XXVI Egyptian dynasty, who reigned from 589 to 570 BC. His reign was marked by internal tensions and geopolitical challenges, particularly due to the rise of the Babylonian Empire.
Domestic and foreign policy
Domestically, Apries had to face a period of unrest and social unrest. The causes of these tensions were manifold, including economic problems, factional rivalries, and growing discontent with central power.
Externally, Apries pursued an expansionist policy, seeking in particular to extend Egyptian influence in the eastern Mediterranean. He found himself in conflict with several regional powers, including Judea, Phenicia and the Babylonian Empire. These clashes had disastrous consequences for Egypt, further weakening its position on the international scene.
Conflict with the Babylonians
One of the major geopolitical challenges that Apries faced was the rise of the Babylonian Empire. Under the leadership of Nebuchadnezzar II, the Babylonians conquered much of the Near East, including Judea and Phoenicia. Apries tried to resist this expansion by supporting the vassal kingdoms threatened by the Babylonians, but his efforts were in vain and Egypt lost several of its allies.
Revolt and deposition
The situation in Egypt deteriorated gradually during the reign of Apries, and a revolt finally broke out around 570 BC. This rebellion was led by General Amasis, who took control of several regions and marched on the capital. Apries was captured and deposed, and Amasis proclaimed himself pharaoh, thus becoming Amasis II.
📋 LIST OF EGYPTIAN SOVEREIGNS 📋
Hotepsekhemwey / Sneferka / Nebra / ninetjer / Senedj / Noubnefer / Horus Ba / Peribsen / Sekhemib / Khasekhemwy / Neferkasokar / | |||
Djoser / Sanakht / Sekhemkhet / Spoon / Huni | |||
Sekhemre-Khutaouy Amenemhat-/Sobekhotep I/Sekhemkare Amenemhat-Senbef/Sekhemkare Amenemhat V/Ameny-Qemaou/Hotepibre Qémaou-Sa-Hornejhéritef/Ioufeni/Séânkhibrê Amény-Antef-Amenemhat (or Amenemhat VI)/Semenkarê Nebnoun/Sehotepibrê Sousekhtaouy | |||
Sekhaenre Yakbim/Nebuuserre Yaammou/Khauserre Qareh | |||
Semqen/Aper-Anat/Sakir-Har/Khyan/Apophis I/Apophis II?/Khamoudy | |||
/Sekhemre-Sementaouy Djehouty/Sekhemre-Sousertaouy Sobekhotep VIII | |||
Twenty-first dynasty | |||
Twenty-second dynasty | |||
Twenty-third dynasty | |||
Twenty-fourth dynasty | |||
1st Persian Dynasty | |||
Thirty-first dynasty (Achaemenid) | 2nd Persian Dynasty | ||