Darius III (Codomanus), last king of the Persian Achaemenid Empire (336-330 BC), ruled Egypt as ruler in a period of decline and instability of the Empire . Although he was the nominal ruler of Egypt during his reign, his ability to exert real control over the country was hampered by military defeats and internal problems. This analysis will focus on Darius III as ruler of Egypt and his impact on the region.
The rise to power and the situation in Egypt
When Darius III ascended the throne in 336 BC. J.-C., he inherited an empire in decline, with internal problems and tensions between the provinces, including Egypt. In Egypt, the local population was unhappy with the Persian government, largely due to fiscal pressure and the presence of Persian military garrisons. This situation made it difficult for Darius III to exert direct control over Egypt and ensure its loyalty.
The threat of Alexander the Great and military defeats
When Alexander the Great began his campaign against the Persian Empire in 334 BC. AD, Darius III faced a serious threat to his power, including in Egypt. Alexander quickly conquered Persian territories in Asia Minor and Syria, and in 332 BC. J.-C., he invaded Egypt. The weakness of the Persian government in Egypt and the discontent of the local population facilitated Alexander's conquest.
The loss of Egypt and the end of the Achaemenid era
Alexander was welcomed to Egypt as a liberator, thus ending Persian control over the region. He founded the city of Alexandria and was crowned pharaoh, marking the start of the Ptolemaic period. The loss of Egypt was a blow to Darius III and the Persian Empire, and contributed to the downfall of the Achaemenid Empire.
The legacy of Darius III in Egypt
Although Darius III's reign in Egypt was short-lived and marked by problems and defeats, he played an important role in Egyptian history. Its defeat by Alexander the Great led to the end of Persian rule in Egypt and the beginning of the Ptolemaic period, which lasted nearly 300 years.
The Ptolemaic period was marked by a strong Hellenistic influence and the establishment of Alexandria, which became one of the most important cultural and intellectual centers of the ancient world. Thus, even though Darius III's reign as ruler of Egypt was marked by difficulties, he indirectly ushered in a new era of development and cultural change in Egypt.
The significance of Darius III
The reign of Darius III and its implications for Egypt can best be understood when considered within the larger historical context of the time. The Achaemenid period was marked by constant power struggles, rebellions and wars with other regional powers, notably Greece. The rise of Alexander the Great and the fall of the Achaemenid Empire were the result of these tensions and conflicts.
As ruler of Egypt, Darius III faced considerable challenges in maintaining the unity and stability of the Empire. His defeat by Alexander the Great and the loss of Egypt were key factors in the downfall of the Achaemenid Empire and the shift of power in the region.
📋 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 | ||