Psammetichus III was the last pharaoh of the XXVI Egyptian dynasty. He reigned briefly in 525 BC. AD, succeeding his father Amasis. His short reign was marked by the Persian invasion and the end of Egyptian independence.
Ascent to the throne and geopolitical context
Psametik III acceded to the throne in a difficult geopolitical context, marked by the rise of the Persian Empire. The Persians, under the reign of Cyrus the Great and his successor Cambyses II, sought to expand their influence in the Near East and Egypt.
Persian invasion and Egyptian resistance
Faced with the Persian threat, Psametik III tried to organize the defense of Egypt. He reinforced the defenses of the main cities and gathered an army to resist the invasion. However, the Egyptian forces could not prevent the Persians from entering the country and winning several decisive victories.
The Battle of Pelusium and the Fall of Egypt
In 525 BC. BC, the forces of Psammetichus III faced the Persian army at the battle of Pelusium, located in the Nile delta. Despite their courage and determination, the Egyptians were defeated by the Persians, led by Cambyses II. The defeat at Pelusium marked the end of Egyptian resistance and the fall of the XNUMXth Dynasty.
The capture and fate of Psammetichus III
After the defeat at Pelusium, Psammetichus III took refuge in the capital, Memphis, where he was eventually captured by the Persians. According to some sources, he was imprisoned and executed, while others refer to more lenient treatment and a possible reconciliation with Cambyses II. Either way, the capture of Psammetichus III marked the end of Egyptian independence and the beginning of Persian rule.
📋 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 | ||