Nekao II, son of Psammetichus I, was a prominent pharaoh of the XXVI Egyptian dynasty. His reign took place between 610 and 595 BC. BC and was marked by an expansionist policy, as well as by infrastructure and trade initiatives. Nékao II also played an important role in international affairs, notably by becoming involved in the conflicts between the Assyrian and Babylonian empires.
Expansionist policy
Like his father, Nekao II sought to expand Egypt's sphere of influence in the eastern Mediterranean. He launched several military campaigns, notably against the kingdoms of Judah and Sidon. Its main objective was to counter the expansion of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which posed a growing threat to Egypt and its allies.
A builder pharaoh
Nékao II was also a great builder and invested in many infrastructure projects. The most famous of these was the construction of a canal linking the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, a project that foreshadowed the future Suez Canal. This channel considerably improved trade between Egypt and the other civilizations of the region, thus reinforcing the prestige and prosperity of the country.
International relationships
The reign of Nékao II was marked by a policy of active engagement in international affairs. He supported the Assyrians in their fight against the Babylonians, hoping to weaken them and protect Egypt from their expansion. However, this policy eventually turned against him when the Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar II, captured Jerusalem in 586 BC. J.-C. and put an end to the Egyptian domination on the area.
Succession and posterity
After the death of Nekao II in 595 BC. AD, his son Psammetique II succeeded him. Although Nékao II's initiatives helped to strengthen Egypt, his involvement in regional conflicts and his expansionist policies also had negative consequences. Egypt became a target for neighboring empires, and the XNUMXth dynasty eventually collapsed under the Persian invasion in 525 BC. J.-C.
📋 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 | ||