|
|
27th Dynasty of Egypt
Dynasty of Ancient Egypt 525-404 BCE, 121 years, consisting of 5 kings, belonging to the Late Period.
In reality, Egypt was in this period a province under the Persian Achaemenid Dynasty, and the king list is identical to Persia's for this period.
Egypt was largely under control of satraps, ruling from Memphis. Satraps and officials were largely Persians and Babylonians.
Aryandes appear to have been the first satrap from 525 until ca. 486, when Achaemenes succeeded him. He ruled until ca. 460.
This period begins with the defeat of the Egyptians in the Nile Delta in 525, in which the Egyptian king, Psametik 3, was captured and brought to the Persian capital, Susa. Egypt became the 6th satrapy together with Cyprus and Phoenicia.
Sources differ much about who Egypt was subdued. Contemporary sources tell that his takeover of Egypt was done in a respectful manner, but possibly because he had the financial situation of the temples worsened, he was later presented as a brutal ruler.
When Darius 1 became king in 522, he made efforts to keep good relations with the Egyptian elite, especially the religious elite. Darius saw to a new law system being established for Egypt; the creation for which the Egyptian elite participated in. Darius completed the navigable waterway from the Nile to the Red Sea, that Neko 2 had begun building around 600.
Persian successes outside Egypt came to have great impact on Egypt, like the defeat to the Athenians at Marathon in 490 BCE. The great revolt around 486, came about partly because of this, partly because of Darius 1's death. It was, however, suppressed by the Persians. The Persian revenge was severe, Xerxes 1 reduced Egypt's status within the Persian empire, which strongly insulted Egyptian national pride, making himself deeply hated in Egypt.
A second revolt came about ca. 460, partly ignited by the death of Xerxes 1 some years before. Inaros, a Libyan chief led the revolt, and got aid from Athens. Inaros was crucified by the Persians in 454.
The period that followed the last revolt was a difficult one for Egypt, it appears that the Persians did little to develop the country, which is reflected in that virtually no monument has survived from it.
Eventually, towards the end of the 5th century, Egyptian discontent had grown strong, and Persian control had weakened. With Darius 2's death in 404, a revolt was led by Amyrtaeus bringing Egypt back its independence.
© Copyright 1996-2008 LookLex Ltd. All rights reserved
By: Tore Kjeilen
|
|
|
