Nectanebo II, also known as Nakhthorheb, was the last native pharaoh of Egypt, reigning from 360 to 342 BC. He belonged to the XXXe dynasty Egyptian and was overthrown by the Persian invasion under the command ofArtaxerxes III. His reign was marked by geopolitical challenges, architectural and artistic achievements, as well as the struggle to maintain the independence of Egypt.
Geopolitical challenges
The reign of Nectanebo II was marked by significant geopolitical challenges. Indeed, Egypt was surrounded by foreign powers, including Persia and the Greek city-states. Nectanebo II had to use diplomacy and military strategy to preserve Egypt's independence.
One of the main threats to Nectanebo II was Persia, which had already conquered Egypt during the XNUMXth dynasty (dynasty of the Persian pharaohs). To protect himself from the Persian invaders, Nectanebo II strengthened the defenses of Egypt and sought to form alliances with the Greek city-states, notably Athens and Sparta.
Architectural and artistic achievements
Despite the challenges he faced, Nectanebo II was a great builder, commissioning the construction of many temples and monuments. Among his most notable achievements are the works undertaken at the temple of Karnak, where he built the hypostyle hall and the outer enclosure, as well as the restoration of the Temple of Isis at Philae.
Nectanebo II's reign was also marked by an artistic revival, with a return to classical Egyptian artistic styles. The sculptures and reliefs of this period are characterized by their finesse and attention to detail, testifying to the mastery of Egyptian craftsmen.
The end of the reign and the Persian invasion
Unfortunately, Nectanebo II's efforts to preserve Egypt's independence ultimately failed. In 343 BC. AD, Artaxerxes III, king of Persia, launched an invasion of Egypt. Despite his resistance, Nectanebo II was forced to flee to Ethiopia, where he probably died in exile.
📋 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 | ||