Artaxerxes I, king of the Achaemenid Empire from 465 to 424 BC, succeeded his father Xerxes I. His reign was marked by several revolts and conflicts across the empire, including in Egypt.
Egyptian revolts and appeasement policy
During the reign of Artaxerxes I, Egypt again revolted against Persian rule. The Egyptian revolt of 460 BC was supported by Athens, which sought to weaken the Achaemenid Empire. Artaxerxes I sent his troops to put down the rebellion, but he also adopted a policy of appeasement towards the Egyptians, probably to prevent further insurgencies. This policy contrasted with that of his father Xerxes I, who had taken a repressive approach in Egypt.
Restoration of temples and clergy
As part of his policy of appeasement, Artaxerxes I restored the privileges of Egyptian temples and the clergy, which had been curtailed by his father. This decision was intended to strengthen the ties between the Egyptian population and the Persian administration, recognizing the importance of Egyptian religion and culture.
Support for Egyptian culture
Artaxerxes I also sought to support and promote Egyptian culture. He commissioned the construction of monuments and works of art in Egypt and encouraged Egyptian writing and literature. This policy contributed to reinforce the Egyptian identity and to calm the tensions between the Persians and the Egyptians.
Legacy of Artaxerxes I
The impact of Artaxerxes I on Egypt was generally positive. His policy of appeasement made it possible to calm the tensions between the Persians and the Egyptians and to strengthen the links between the two peoples. The restoration of Egyptian temples and clergy, as well as support for Egyptian culture, promoted stability and prosperity in Egypt.
📋 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 | ||