10 - History of Egypt by Frederick C. H. Wendel

seems to have been lost to the Libyan dynasty. The last monument that mentions any king of the twenty second dynasty in Karnak is dated from the twenty ninth year of Sheshenk's reign, and after the loss of Thebes, these kings were confined to the Delta. Four kings are mentioned in the inscription of King Piangki, but we know little

of any one of them. They are usu ar Ken of Bubastis, probably the same man as usar Ken the third, the last of the Bibastides, a alpet of Klisma, Nemart of Ramunu, Hermopolis and Pef dead Bast of Renensuten Heracleopolis. Manitho states that Pef deed Bast, whom he calls Petubastis, reigned forty years. A notice preserved by Amian to the effect that in his time the Phoenicians had suddenly attacked and taken Thebes is probably a faint recollection of the

Ethiopian invasion. At all events, The inscription of Piangxi, which mentions besides these four kings, sixteen rulers of smaller districts amply proves that Egypt was at this time completely disintegrated. The rise of Ethiopia we have seen that for many centuries Ethiopia was an Egyptian province, but it would seem that at the close of the twenty first dynasty it gradually emancipated itself from Egypt. In the times of the twenty second dynast, Ethiopia was no longer under Egyptian rule.

Several historians have attempted to bring into connection the fall of the twenty first dynasty and the establishment of the Ethiopian Kingdom by assuming that the heirs of Pasebranu had fled before Sheshenk the first to that country early in the tenth century, before the Common Era, and had founded a theocratic government there. This hypothesis is in some measure confirmed by the name of the first Ethiopian invader of Egypt, Pianchi, a name that occurs also in the times of the

priest kings. There is, not, however, sufficient proof to assert this as an established fact. Be that as it may. We find that about the time of the twenty second dynasty, Ethiopia had become an independent kingdom. The capital was Napata, at the foot of the Gebel Barkal, where Amenhotep the third had erected a temple to amun Rah. The centuries of dependents had firmly established Egyptian civilization. In Ethiopia. The religion was that of Amunrah, though it was carried out

to consequences unknown. In Egypt, the priests had an almost absolute power in the name of Amon. The kings went out on their wars. They were entirely dependent on his prophecies and oracles as interpreted by the priests. They strictly observed the laws regarding cleanliness and all the minute details of the ritual. Thus they put into practice what had been mere theory. In Egypt, a long inscription relates how the king was chosen directly through an oracle of Amunrah,

thus confirming the account given by Diodorus. The priests had moreover the right to command the king in the name of Ahmon to commit suicide, a pernicious practice that her Gamines in the third century v c. Put a stop to. It is then not to be wondered at that the Egyptian priests described Ethiopia to the Greek tourists as a promised land. The titulature of the kings was modeled after

that of the Pharaohs. The official language of the realm the Egyptian, with some dialectic peculiarities, the script and the older inscriptions as hieroglyphic. Gradually the language changed more and more, becoming surcharged with Ethiopian elements, and at last it has changed to such an extent as to be completely unintelligible. The script also changed. With time. A cursive form known as the Meroitic demodic script arose, which no one has

yet succeeded in deciphering. In this script, most of the Ethiopic inscriptions are written, and it is only after this has been deciphered that we can gain a clear picture of the history of the New Ethiopian Kingdom. Early in the eighth century BC, the new Kingdom was strong enough to attack Egypt. The disintegration of Egypt offered the then Ethiopian ruler Piangti a fine opportunity of subduing the country that had so long held his native land in subjugation.

He invaded Egypt and seems to have found but little resistance. The inscription which treats of his Egyptian campaign enumerates the twenty sovereigns who at that time ruled Egypt. One Hussar Ken King of perbastt Bubastis in the Delta, two Alpet King of ten Remu Klisma in the Delta. Three Nemart King of Munu Hermopolis, Magna Ashmunain and Upper Egypt. Four Pef ded Bast, King of Renensuten Heracleopolis, Magna Ahnes in Upper Egypt. Five Tefnacht, Prince of sah Sees and men

Nepher Memphis. Six Sheschenk, Chief of mercenaries in Perusiri Busiris in the Delta. Seven ched Amon alf Ankh, Chief of Mercenaries in perbanebded Mendes in the Delta. Eight angh Hor, chief of mercenaries in per upro heh Hermopolis. Nine Bekennef Hereditary Prince ten Nessnaketi, chief of mercenaries in the city

of casset Coois in the Delta. Eleven Pedubast, Chief of mercenaries in hert heriab Athribis in the Delta, twelve Patentfh, chief of mercenaries in Persult, capital of the twentieth Lower Egyptian Nomes. Thirteen Pama, chief of mercenaries in pasasrek Busiris, fourteen necht Hoor Nachenu, chief of mercenaries in per herrere Fegroriopolis.

Fifteen Padu Horsan Tawi, Priest of Horace in sechem Cetapolis, sixteen Herobusa, Prince of Saiut, Siut and Hesawi seventeen Chetria, Prince of the city of Frentz Nefher eighteen Babas, Prince of Errao, Babylon and Perhapi Nilopolis, nineteen a chief of mercenaries, and Tannis twenty a chief of mercenaries in Ostrassin. These kings and princes seemed to have offered but little or no resistance to the Ethiopian invader, and who have remained

tranquil under his control for some time. But the spirit of liberty was not dead in the land of Pemet. In the twenty first year of Piangchi's reign, an attempt was made by Tefnacht, Prince of Sais and Memphis, who was by far the mightiest of these petty sovereigns, to deliver Egypt from the Ethiopian domination. He succeeded in uniting the many petty rulers of Lower and Middle Egypt under his leadership. Then he sailed up the Nile and everywhere

the cities opened their gates to him. At Renensuten, he met with the first resistance. King Pefdedbast, seemed determined to maintain his separate sovereignty under Piankhi's protection. The city was besieged and taken, but Pefdedbast joined the alliance in only a half hearted manner. The allies now proceeded south and at Hmunu were joined by King Nemmart, who became one

of the most useful members of the coalition. They then went against thebes matters were now becoming serious, and Pianghi, on hearing of what was going on, ordered poa Armah and Ramersegni, his lord lieutenants in Upper Egypt, to oppose the progress of the rebellion. They immediately took active measures and began the siege of Rmulu. To aid in their operations, the Ethiopian king had sent an army north. As they

approached Thebes. On their fleet, they encountered Tefnacht's fleet. A battle ensued in which the Egyptians were defeated, leaving Ramersegni and po Armah to take Mulu. The Ethiopians pursued the leeing Egyptians northward. The Egyptians made a stand at Renensuten, which city was the key of the Fayoum. Here, two battles occurred on succeeding days. The first was fought on the Nile, possibly the Egyptians sought to prevent the enemy from landing. The second was fought on the river bank

at Perpek, a town near Renensuten. In both these battles, the patriots were defeated with heavy loss. Meanwhile, Khmunu had fallen and Nemart, hearing of this determined to retake his capital. Marching rapidly south, he laid siege to the town, and, after defeating several sallies made by the Ethiopian garrison, recaptured it. Thus matters stood when Pianchi determined to come north and

conduct the campaign in person. Before he started, however, his troops had gained some further advantages, taking several smaller fortresses, of which the most important was Tatahen. This strong fort was taken by storm after a most determined resistance. Among the slain was one of Tefnacht's sons. Finally, the king came. After celebrating a religious festival at Thebes, he marched against Ramunu.

A regular siege was commenced, a high wall was built around the town, and a shower of arrows and stones was thrown into the city. Three days the town held out, but finally Nemart was compelled to surrender and pay tribute. Pefted bast of Renensuten came up the stream and paid

homage to Pianghi, bringing him costly presents. His ready submission proved that he had joined Tefnacht much against his will, and inclined the king to be gracious Pianchi now sailed down stream to per Sergem reperat i Lahoun, a strong fortress in the northern part of the Fayoum, which was surrendered on the first summons. Just north of this lay the stronghold of meritumbe Maydoum, which seemed inclined to hold out.

A peremptory summons, leaving the city the choice between immediate surrender and a massacre of its garrison in case of a storm, however, brought the commandant to terms. At the northern boundary of Upper Egypt, there was a strongly fortified city which was also surrendered on Piangchi's approach. This left the way open to Memphis. The city was very strongly fortified. Tefnacht had laid in it a garrison of eight thousand

men and then gone north, probably to collect reinforcements. The Ethiopian monarch hesitated about storming the sacred city and summoned it to surrender, offering to enter the city peaceably, as his only desire in coming to Memphis was to pay his homage to the gods. But Memphis was the key of the delta, and the garrison was determined to hold out besides, Tefnacht's reinforcements could be expected daily. The king

therefore ordered his soldiers to storm the town. They effected a landing in the harbor of Memphis, and scaling the walls, were soon masters of the city. Many of the garrison and of the citizens fell in the combat, and many others were carried off as prisoners of war. The city was plundered, but the temples were spared, a guard having

been set over them. Pianghi remained in Memphis several days, partly to take part in several religious festivals, and partly to receive the tribute to several princes and grand dukes of the Ma that came here to offer their submission. He next advanced to ann Heliopolis, where he attended some other religious festivals and received the submission of a number of other princes, among them usar Ken, king of Eubastus.

Then he went to hot hedy ab Arthrabis, where he received the submission of the last remaining rebellious princes except Tefnacht. This leader, deserted by all his allies, determined to make a last stand for freedom, raising the walls and burning down the treasury buildings of Sais. He retired to the island city of Mess in the Nile and strongly entrenched himself. Prince Peptubast of Arthrabis was sent against him with strong detachment. A battle ensued in which Tefnacht was defeated and his

army annihilated. Tefnacht now sent messengers to Pianchi, offering to surrender. The king sent him two ambassadors, in whose presence he swore the oath of allegiance. Two cities that had hitherto held out now also surrendered. The rebellion was crushed. After holding a grand reception of the princes, Pianchi returned home, his ships laden down with the tribute and booty won in the war. Pianqui reigned in all forty years, but he had no further occasion to interfere in Egypt. This

was owing to his wise policy. He left all of the old princes in possession of their lands, and thus bound them to his person, as they owed their sovereignty to his grace. Moreover, a disunited Egypt was no menace to him, and the bickerings among the various petty kings could at any time furnish him a pretext for invading the country. That he was determined to prevent the union of these princes was proved by the Great campaign against

Tefnacht and his allies. He had no idea of holding the country, but retired after having effectively choked Tefnacht's attempt to unite the various petty states into a great kingdom. Section two. The twenty fourth dynasty Seyetic b c. Seven thirty four to seven twenty eight. Beckn Renf, the only king of this dynasty, seems to have succeeded in doing what Tefnacht had attempted over nineteen years before. According to Diodorus, who calls him Bochhoris, he was the son of t Nephathos,

who is no doubt identical with Tefnacht. For about six years he ruled undisturbed by the Ethiopians. All we know of him from the monuments is that he buried an APIs at Memphis in the sixth year of his reign. In Ethiopia, Kashta had succeeded Pianghi. This monarch was married to Shepinopet, a daughter of King usar Khin of Eubastus. Their son Shabaka succeeded him and immediately determined to conquer Egypt.

He could lay a certain claim to the Egyptian throne, as his mother was a daughter of the last Bubastide king. In invading the country, he defeated Becken Renf Manitho states that he burned him alive and compelled the various petty

kings to acknowledge his sovereignty. Section three The twenty fifth Dynasty Ethiopians the Assyrian Invasions seven twenty eight to six forty five b C. Shabaka the Sabakon of the Greeks, Saw of the Bible, and shabe of the Assyrians seven twenty eight to seven twenty six b C. Herododus relates that Sabakon the Ethiopian had conquered Egypt and had left it after a race of fifty years in consequence of

a dream. Diodorus comes nearer the truth when he states that four Ethiopian kings ruled Egypt for thirty six years. Shabaka took the title of king of Upper and Lower Egypt, but appointed his sister Amanerdas, who was married to a man named Piangi, regent of the country. The Greek authors praise this ruler highly. He is reputed to have abolished capital punishment, substituting hard labor for it. This pharaoh became

mixed up in Asiatic affairs. King Hosea of Israel had joined other Syrian monarchs in a rebellion against Salmanasser, the fourth King of Assyria, and the allies had sent to Shabaka asking his assistance. The plot was discovered, Hosea was called to Assyria and thrown into prison. Salmanasser invested Samaria about seven twenty five b C, but died before the

city fell. His successor, Shahrukinu Sargon the second, continued the siege and took the city in seven twenty two b C. Shortly after a new coalition was formed, at the head of which stood King Ilubid of Hamath. This coalition embraced besides Hamath, Arpad, Semaira, Damascus, Gaza, and Egypt. Sargon, however, was too quick for the Allies. Before Shabaka could join them, Sargon met and routed their forces at Kharkar. He now moved southward and met Shabaka, who had meanwhile been joined

by King Hanno of Gaza at Rafia. The Allies were badly defeated and Hanno was taken prisoner seven twenty b C. Sargon could not follow up his victory and invade Egypt, as events had meanwhile occurred in the North, which called him to the new seat of war, but he had gained his purpose. Shabaka was badly crippled and even sent tribute. This pharaoh died died about seven sixteen b C. Shabataka seven point fifteen to seven O three b C, the successor of Shabaka, is a king of whom we do

not know much. Despite the fact that he reigned twelve years, he seems to have done little in Asia. He did not interfere. Probably the defeat of Shabaka at Rafia had been so complete as either to cripple Egypt for years, or at least to discourage her rulers from attacking Assyria again. Taharka seven O two to six sixty two b C. This king was, in all probability not of royal parentage, but came to the throne by marrying Shabataka's widow. He was twenty years of age when he ascended the throne.

Young and active, he was willing to restore to Egypt its former prestige. Meanwhile, Sargon had been assassinated and his son seen Ahi Edib Sanharib had ascended the Assyrian throne seven O five b C. Immediately, a new coalition was formed against Assyria. Elulius of Tire, Hezekiah of Judah, and Zidka of Ascalon formed a league and called upon Taharka for assistance. Marduk Baladin, the Chaldean ruler of Babylon, was also drawn into the league and conducted negotiations with Hezekiah.

King Padi of Akaron, who had refused to join the rebels, was deposed and turned over to Hezekiah. This mighty coalition, if properly handled, would have been a match for the Assyrians, but Sanheib was too quick for them. In seven O one b C. He entered Syria and subdued Alilius. Then, going south, he took Ascalon and Akoron. At Altacou, he met and defeated Taharka, who had attempted to check him. After taking Altaku and some other towns, Sanharib marched on Jerusalem.

Hezekiah submitted, and Badhi was restored to his kingdom. The rebellion was not however, crushed. As yet, Hezekiah continued his negotiations with Taharka, who had returned to Egypt to collect a new army. Sanhib, hearing of this, accused the Jewish king of treason and threatened him with destruction. Relying on Jehovah and the King of Egypt, Hezekiah boldly held out Jerusalem was besieged. Meanwhile, Taharka was coming to the aid

of his ally with a new army. Sanhib advanced to meet him, but his army was so reduced by pestilence that he had to retire without giving battle. The story of the Bible is well known. The Angel of the Lord smote the Assyrian army in the night, and one hundred and eighty five thousand men died, whereupon Sanharib had to retire. Herodotus has a somewhat different version of the affair. He relates that after the Ethiopian Sabakon, a pious priest of tah named Cephos ruled in Egypt. He denied his

soldiers certain privileges and thus gained their enmity. When Sanacharib, king of the Arabians and Assyrians, marched against Egypt, they refused to fight, and Sethos was placed in a sad predicament. He prayed to the gods for aid, and they sent out mice that ate up the bows and belts of the Assyrian army encamped about Pelusium during the night, so that the Egyptian merchants and mechanics could easily defeat them next day. The first Assyrian invasion. Sanharib never returned to Palestine.

He was assassinated in sixt eighty one b S and his son Assar Haddon Ashur Ahiden ascended the throne. Trouble between him and Taharka began in six seventy two b C when King Baal of Tire, relying on promises of assistance from Taharka, rebelled against Assyria. Assar Haddan, now determined to put an end to Egyptian interference, a detachment of his army besieged Tire, while the main body marched against Egypt.

The prince of the Bedouins, dwelling on the Egyptian border, gladly furnished camels and water, and thus the difficult march from Raffia to Pelusium was accomplished without serious loss. Taharka seems to have offered but little resistance, for the Assyrian army entered Memphis, and soon after Thebes also was taken and sacked. Taharka fled to Ethiopia. After these victories, Asserhaddan styled himself King of Mussur Lower Egypt, Patrus Upper Egypt,

and Kush Ethiopia. The land itself was left under the control of twenty independent petty sovereigns as follows. One Niku Nekao of Mimbi, Memphis and Sai Sayus. Two Sharru Ladari of Tirnu, three Pisanhu of Nathu Natho, four Pacruru of Bishoptu persopt the capital of the Normos Arabia, the twentieth

Lower Egyptian Nome. Five puc Nannipi Bekenneph of Hathhiribe hatheriab Athrabis, six Nahki Aghenenchi Renensuten, seven Pitubisti Pedubast of Zaunu Thanas eight Unamunu of Natu, nine Horsiaishu of Tamuti, chebnuter Sebenethos, ten Puama Pimai of Bindidi Perbanebdad equals Mendes eleven, Sudzinku Sheshenk of Pusiri Perusiri Busyris, twelve, tap Nochti Tefnacht of Punubu pernub thirteen, Pukunanni Epi of Ahni fourteen, Iptihardishu of

Pisati Hurunpi fifteen, Nohti Huruantini necht hor Nachenu of pishab Di Nuti sixteen, Bukur Ninip of Pahnuti seventeen Ziha of Ziaotu Siout eighteen, Lamentu of Himuni Munu, nineteen Ishbimatu of Tahani Tenni Fi twenty mante Piangi Mentuemhat of Niri Thebes. It is impossible for us to identify those of the Assyrian names of Egyptian princes and cities, the Egyptian names

of which we have not given. The mightiest of these princes was Necao Assyrian Nikou Greek Neko, prince of Memphis, and says, according to Manitho six seventy one the six sixty three BC, he was the favorite of Asser Hadden. At this monarch's request, Necao changed the name of Seyis to Karbel Matati garden of the Lord of Lands, and gave his son Pemtek the Assyrian name Nabu shzib Anni. Shortly after the conquest of Egypt, Asser Hadden resigned the crown in favor of his son Asser Banipal about six

sixty eight b C. The second Assyrian invasion. This change in the rulers of Assyria encouraged to Harkla to attempt the delivery of Egypt from Assyrian rule. He advanced on thieves Assyrian nil and meant to emhat. Assyrian Mantipianchi received him with open arms, hailing him as a deliverer. Memphis was taken soon after, and the Ethiopian proceeded to make himself at home in Egypt. When aser Banipal heard of this,

he at once determined to punish the Ethiopians. He advanced to Karbana, a town north of Memphis, where he met

and utterly routed to Harta's forces. The king himself, who had remained at Memphis, on hearing of this defeat, at once fled to Thebes, which city he abandoned on the approach of the Assyrian army without a battle about six sixty seven b C. Meanwhile, the Egyptian princes, under the leadership of Necao of Seis, Charladari of Tannis, and Pakruru of Persopt had opened negotiations with Taharka, inviting him to renew his attack and promising their support. Their letters were, however,

intercepted and the conspirators were arrested. Proof against them was not wanting, but the Assyrian king evidently thought it wise policy not to punish them. They were left in possession of their holdings, but had to bare allegiance to Asserbanepal. Necao, the favorite of his father, was sent home loaded down with presents, and his son Nabu Chesibanni, was appointed governor general of Egypt. Aser Banipal hoped to gain a powerful

ally in this manner, and he was not disappointed. In the Greek accounts, to Harklaw figures as a great hero and conqueror. Strabo relates that he reached the columns of Hercules, the westernmost point of northern Africa, on one of his campaigns, and according to Magosthenes, he led his army to India and thence to the Pontus and Thrace. In his inscriptions, he poses as a mighty conqueror. Fourteen Negro tribes are

mentioned as subdued in Ethiopia. The list of conquered nations he had inscribed on the walls of the Temple of Karnak is copied word for word from that of Rameses the second and even mentions among other states. Asser. While we know he was several times whipped by the Assyrians, at Gabelbarkal, he built two temples, and at Karnak he repaired portions of the Great Temple of Amon Rah and of the Temple of mut. He died about six sixty four b s. Tanawat Amon and the third Assyrian invasion.

The step son of Taharka ascended the Ethiopian throne about six sixty four b C. An inscription found at the Gabelbarkal relates that this king had been encouraged by a dream that promised him the crown of Egypt to invade that country. Elephantine and Thebes hailed him as a deliverer. Memphis resisted but was taken after a battle. It is very probable that Necau, prince of Memphis, and Saeus, who died about this time six sixty four b SI, fell

in one of the battles with tanawat Amon. When he was at Memphis, a deputation of Egyptian princes headed by Pakruru of Persopt offered their submission. The others withdrew to their fortresses and refused to yield. Tanuwat Amon evidently did not feel strong enough to attack them and preferred to return to Memphis, where he had long theological arguments with those princes who submitted. When aser Banipal heard of this new Ethiopian invasion by ur Damani, as the Assyrian inscriptions

called tanawat Amon, he sent an army against him. The Ethiopians immediately withdrew before the approach of the Assyrians and fled to Ethiopia. Thus, about six sixty two b C. Was driven from Egypt, the last Ethiopian king who dared invade the country. End of chapter eight recording by Owen Cook in Potawatamie ceded land