Psamtik III (Ancient Egyptian: ꜥnḫ-kꜣ-n-Rꜥ Psmṯk, pronounced Psamāṯək[1]), known by the Graeco-Romans as Psammetichus or Psammeticus (Ancient Greek: Ψαμμήτιχος), or Psammenitus (Ancient Greek: Ψαμμήνιτος), was the last Pharaoh of the Twenty-sixth Dynasty of Egypt from 526 BC to 525 BC. Most of what is known about his reign and life was documented by the Greek historian Herodotus in the 5th century BC. Herodotus states that Psamtik had ruled Egypt for only six months before he was confronted by a Persian invasion of his country led by King Cambyses II of Persia.[2] Psamtik was subsequently defeated at the Battle of Pelusium, and fled to Memphis where he was captured. The deposed pharaoh was carried off to Susa in chains, and later committed suicide.
Psamtik III
Psammetichus III
Relief depicting Psamtik III from a chapel in Karnak
Psamtik III was the son of the pharaoh Amasis II and one of his wives, Queen Tentkheta. He succeeded his father as pharaoh in 526 BC, when Amasis died after a long and prosperous reign of some 44 years. According to Herodotus, he had a son named Amasis and a wife and daughter, both unnamed in historical documents.
Psamtik ruled Egypt for no more than six months. A few days after his coronation, rain fell at Thebes, which was a rare event that frightened some Egyptians, who interpreted this as a bad omen. The young and inexperienced pharaoh was no match for the invading Persians. After the Persians under Cambyses had crossed the Sinai desert with the aid of the Arabians, a bitter battle was fought near Pelusium, a city on Egypt's eastern frontier, in the spring of 525 BC.[2] The Egyptians were defeated at Pelusium and Psamtik was betrayed by one of his allies, Phanes of Halicarnassus. Consequently, Psamtik and his army were compelled to withdraw to Memphis.[2] The Persians captured the city after a long siege, and captured Psamtik after its fall. Shortly thereafter, Cambyses ordered the public execution of two thousand of the principal citizens, including (it is said) a son of the fallen king.
Meeting Between Cambyses II and Psammetichus III.
Captivity and suicideedit
Psamtik III surrendering to Cambyses (19th century illustration).
Psamtik's captivity and subsequent execution are described in The Histories by Herodotus, Book III, sections 14 and 15. Psamtik's daughter and the daughters of all the Egyptian noblemen were enslaved. Psamtik's son and two thousand other sons of noblemen were sentenced to death, in retaliation for the murder of the Persian ambassador and the two hundred crew of his boat. An "old man who had once been the king's friend" was reduced to beggary.[3] All these people were brought before Psamtik to test his reaction, and he only became upset after seeing the state of the beggar.
Psamtik's compassion for the beggar caused him to be spared, but his son had already been executed. The deposed pharaoh was then raised up to live in the entourage of the Persian King.[4] After a while, however, Psamtik attempted to raise a rebellion among the Egyptians. When Cambyses learned of this, Psamtik is reported by Herodotus to have drunk bull's blood and immediately died.[5]
Referencesedit
^Ray, J. D. (1990). "The names Psammetichus and Takheta". The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology. 76: 196–199. doi:10.2307/3822031. JSTOR 3822031. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
^The Histories, by Herodotus, Book III.14, Penguin Classics
^"Herodotus, The Histories, book 3, chapter 15, section 1". www.perseus.tufts.edu.
^The Histories, by Herodotus, Book III.15, Penguin Classics
External linksedit
Cartouche of Psammetichus
Herodotus histories
February 15, 2024
psamtik, ancient, egyptian, ꜥnḫ, kꜣ, rꜥ, psmṯk, pronounced, psamāṯək, known, graeco, romans, psammetichus, psammeticus, ancient, greek, Ψαμμήτιχος, psammenitus, ancient, greek, Ψαμμήνιτος, last, pharaoh, twenty, sixth, dynasty, egypt, from, most, what, known, . Psamtik III Ancient Egyptian ꜥnḫ kꜣ n Rꜥ Psmṯk pronounced Psamaṯek 1 known by the Graeco Romans as Psammetichus or Psammeticus Ancient Greek PSammhtixos or Psammenitus Ancient Greek PSammhnitos was the last Pharaoh of the Twenty sixth Dynasty of Egypt from 526 BC to 525 BC Most of what is known about his reign and life was documented by the Greek historian Herodotus in the 5th century BC Herodotus states that Psamtik had ruled Egypt for only six months before he was confronted by a Persian invasion of his country led by King Cambyses II of Persia 2 Psamtik was subsequently defeated at the Battle of Pelusium and fled to Memphis where he was captured The deposed pharaoh was carried off to Susa in chains and later committed suicide Psamtik IIIPsammetichus IIIRelief depicting Psamtik III from a chapel in KarnakPharaohReign526 525 BCPredecessorAmasis IISuccessorCambyses II Second Ruler of PersiaRoyal titularyPrenomen Praenomen AnkhkaenreNomenPsamtikChildrenAmasisDied525 BCDynasty26th dynasty Contents 1 Family 2 Defeat and imprisonment 3 Captivity and suicide 4 References 5 External linksFamily editSee also Twenty sixth Dynasty of Egypt family tree Psamtik III was the son of the pharaoh Amasis II and one of his wives Queen Tentkheta He succeeded his father as pharaoh in 526 BC when Amasis died after a long and prosperous reign of some 44 years According to Herodotus he had a son named Amasis and a wife and daughter both unnamed in historical documents Defeat and imprisonment editFurther information Battle of Pelusium 525 BC and First Achaemenid conquest of Egypt Psamtik ruled Egypt for no more than six months A few days after his coronation rain fell at Thebes which was a rare event that frightened some Egyptians who interpreted this as a bad omen The young and inexperienced pharaoh was no match for the invading Persians After the Persians under Cambyses had crossed the Sinai desert with the aid of the Arabians a bitter battle was fought near Pelusium a city on Egypt s eastern frontier in the spring of 525 BC 2 The Egyptians were defeated at Pelusium and Psamtik was betrayed by one of his allies Phanes of Halicarnassus Consequently Psamtik and his army were compelled to withdraw to Memphis 2 The Persians captured the city after a long siege and captured Psamtik after its fall Shortly thereafter Cambyses ordered the public execution of two thousand of the principal citizens including it is said a son of the fallen king nbsp Meeting Between Cambyses II and Psammetichus III Captivity and suicide edit nbsp Psamtik III surrendering to Cambyses 19th century illustration Psamtik s captivity and subsequent execution are described in The Histories by Herodotus Book III sections 14 and 15 Psamtik s daughter and the daughters of all the Egyptian noblemen were enslaved Psamtik s son and two thousand other sons of noblemen were sentenced to death in retaliation for the murder of the Persian ambassador and the two hundred crew of his boat An old man who had once been the king s friend was reduced to beggary 3 All these people were brought before Psamtik to test his reaction and he only became upset after seeing the state of the beggar Psamtik s compassion for the beggar caused him to be spared but his son had already been executed The deposed pharaoh was then raised up to live in the entourage of the Persian King 4 After a while however Psamtik attempted to raise a rebellion among the Egyptians When Cambyses learned of this Psamtik is reported by Herodotus to have drunk bull s blood and immediately died 5 References edit Ray J D 1990 The names Psammetichus and Takheta The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 76 196 199 doi 10 2307 3822031 JSTOR 3822031 Retrieved 19 August 2022 a b c The New Encyclopaedia Britannica Micropaedia Vol 9 15th edition 2003 p 756 The Histories by Herodotus Book III 14 Penguin Classics Herodotus The Histories book 3 chapter 15 section 1 www perseus tufts edu The Histories by Herodotus Book III 15 Penguin ClassicsExternal links editCartouche of Psammetichus Herodotus histories Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Psamtik III amp oldid 1188409583, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
