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

us nothing of this king's reign. Diodorus has, however, luckily preserved an account of him which proves that he was the most important Egyptian king of this entire period. In his reign, Egypt again took an influential place among the nations of the world. It could defy Persia and could dare to assert its influence in Asia. In this reign falls the Cypriote War that began shortly before the death

of Hacre. The war had dragged along for several years before Arta Xerxes saw the need of specially exerting himself to put an end to it. He now raised an army of three hundred thousand men, which was put under command of his son in law or Rants, and fitted out a fleet of three hundred trirenes, the command of Wi, which was given to Terebasis. These combined forces proceeded to Cyprus and at once began to push the war. Euagorus

had also made extensive preparations. Nectorheb sent him a goodly army. Hecatambos of Kia sent money. Several Phoenician cities, among them Tire joined him. The king of Arabia and other rulers hostile to Persia sent troops. Thus he managed to get together ninety ships and six thousand native troops besides the contingents of his allies. His privateers succeeded in cutting off the grain transport for the Persian army, and a mutiny

broke out among the troops. Gluse, the newly appointed Persian admiral, consequently had to go to Silicia for grain Before undertaking anything. Eu Agoras received his provisions and large amounts of money from Egypt. He was now enabled to increase his fleet to two hundred sail fifty ships, having been sent him from Egypt. With this fleet, he attacked the Persian ships, and, though at first successful, was in the end. Defeated after a hotly contested battle, the Persians now began the siege

of his capital, Salamis. Though he had won a victory on land shortly before his defeat at sea, eu Agoras lost courage, and, after appointing his son Pythagoras commander in Salamis, fled from the island, escorted by ten men of war.

He went to Egypt to solicit further aid. Nect hoorhb gave him a sum of money, somewhat less than he had expected, but sufficient for his present purpose, and so he returned home three eighty three b c. He found a siege of Salamis still going on, and as his allies were beginning to desert him, he offered his submission. After a long delay, the decision came that he should remain king of Cyprus as a Persian vassal, and must

pay an annual tribute. The war with Egypt continued. Glus the Persian admiral, revolted shortly after the surrender of Salamis and allying himself with Egypt, and so Sparta began a new war against Persia. He was, however, assassinated soon after, and thus his plans came to naught. Now that he had brought the war in Cyprus to a successful close, the Persian king determined to punish his inveterate enemy, The king of Egypt, nect Horheb knew what was coming and

made his preparations accordingly. He began hiring mercenaries, and as he offered high pay and costly presents, he soon had collected a fine army. As general, he called Chabrius of Athens, who accepted the call without first asking the permission of his government, and going to Egypt, conducted the preparations for the war with great energy. Farnabassu, the Persian commander in chief,

was also very busy with his preparations. He sent envoys to Athens to accuse Chabrius of alienating the good feelings of Persia from Athens, and to ask the Athenians to send him Efficrates as general. Chabrius was accordingly recalled and Efficrates sent to Persia between three seventy six and three seventy four BC. At length three seventy four BC, Pharnabasos

was ready. He had collected an army of two hundred thousand native troops and twenty thousand Greek mercenaries, three hundred men of war and a large fleet of smaller craft. This force mustered at Akka and thence proceeded along the coast toward Egypt. Early in the summer, they reached the border after several attempts to betray the army had been detected and prevented by efficratees necked or Heb had regular reports concerning the strength and movements of the enemy. His

plan of operations was very simple. He relied on the natural bulwarks of the land. All the border forts were greatly strengthened, and the mouths of the Nile were strongly fortified, the strongest fortifications being erected on the Pallusian branch, the one nearest to Asia. When the Persians approached this branch, they found it too strong and determined to attempt some

less strongly fortified branch of the river. Consequently, they put to sea, and soon after appeared on the Mendesian branch, where they landed three thousand men who advanced on the fort. An equal number of Egyptians sallied from the fort to meet them, but the enemy being constantly reinforced from their ships, the Egyptians were almost cut to pieces. A small remnant of their force escaped to the fort, closely pursued by epocratices men, who entered the fort together with them. It fell,

Its walls were raised, and the inhabitants were sold into slavery. Efficrates, who had found out from one of the prisoners that Memphis was unprotected, advised an immediate advance on that city. Pharnabasos replied that they had better await the remainder of their army so as to be sure of taking the town. Efficrates, now proposed to go down with his Greeks and take the city, dismayed the Persian suspicious, and he refused him permission.

This quarrel between the Persian leaders gave nect Hoorheb time to collect an army at Memphis and to move with all his force against the Persians in the Delta. Several combats took place, in which the Egyptians were mostly successful, but no decisive battle was fought. Meanwhile, the Nile rose, and soon the entire Delta was converted into a vast lake. Hereupon, the Persians, despairing of success, returned to Asia. Efficrates, who feared vio vilence on account of his quarrel with Farnabasos

went straight to Athens. For several years, the army lay in Asia, ready to renew the war at any time, and in three seventy two b C. Timotheus went to Asia to offer his services to the Persian king. Nothing was done, however, and the great campaign against Egypt so pompously begun proved in the end a dismal failure. Despite the fact that he was almost constantly at war, this pharaoh carefully kept the temples in repair. He built at Edfu, Karnak, Medinet, Habu, Abidos, Bubastis, Memphis,

and other places. After a busy and eventful reign of eighteen years, he died Tahr Greek Tachos three sixty eight through three sixty one b C. It would seem that after the death of nect Horheb troubles regarding the succession

broke out. The list of Manetho gives Tachos that is Tahr only two years and Nectinibus the second nect Nebef eighteen years, while the accounts given by the Greek authors go to prove that Tachos still reigned in three sixty one b C. It would seem then that Tehr had appointed nect Nebev co regent in three sixty seven b C, and that this latter monarch had, in imitation of the older pharaohs, dated his accession to the throne from the time he was made co regent. According to the Demodic Chronicles,

Tahar was the son of nect Hoorheb. According to the Greek authors, he was that monarch's cousin. The Egyptian inscriptions tell us nothing of this king, and from the Greek historians we know only the events of the closing year of his reign. In three sixty one BC, a great revolt against Persia broke out in Asia, and Tahar naturally assisted the rebels. He collected a large army and fitted

out a strong fleet. He also hired great numbers of mercenaries in Greece and made a treaty of alliance with Sparta. The strength of the coalition thus formed against Persia would have been sufficient for its purpose had it not been

weakened by treachery. Orontes, the commander in chief of the Asiatic rebels, was the first to prove a traitor, and soon after Riomythras, who had received the aid furnished by Tahr five hundred talents, twenty eight thousand, five hundred pounds of silver, and fifty men of war followed his example. Notwithstanding this defection, the forces at the command of the pharaoh were quite strong, consisting of two hundred splendidly equipped men of war, eighty thousand native troops, and ten thousand

choice Greek mercenaries. The command of the mercenaries devolved on King Agisilaus of Sparta, who had come over with one thousand hoplights. The Athenian Cabrius was given command of the fleet, while Tahor himself retained command and of the native troops. Cabrius was the special favorite of the pharaoh, who is said even to have gone so far at his advice as to levy attacks on the temple estates, and on the exports and imports of the country. While the war lasted,

Agesilaus was less regarded. His coming had been looked forward to with considerable expectation. Preparations had been made for a grand reception, and valuable presence had been ordered. When he did come, he proved quite a disappointment. His small stature an extreme plainness awakened the scorn of the Egyptians, and

a number of jokes were circulated at his expense. This naturally enraged him, and though he did his full duty by Tayor, there was a coolness between the two kings, which was still further augmented by the fact that Tehr, disregarding the advice of the Spartan, proceeded to conduct the war on his own plan. Agaisilaeus had advised Tahr to await the Persians in Egypt, but the pharaoh was determined

to take the offensive and invade Syria. Phoonisia fell an easy prey to his attack, and the king sent his cousin and co regent, necked Nebev, to take the cities of Syria. These movements were successful, and matters were assuming the most hopeful aspect when Tahr, the general whom the pharaoh had appointed regent of Egypt for the time of his absence, revolted and offered the crown to nect Nebeth. The latter assented and soon had won over the army and its officers and all the people of Egypt. All

he needed now was the support of the Greek mercenaries. Accordingly, he sent envoys to Agasilaos and Cabrius, soliciting their support. Agasilaus despatched messengers to Sparta, asking how he should act, and receiving the reply that he should do what he deemed most advantageous for Sparta, he declared for nect Nebev. Cabrius, who had at first determined to remain loyal to Tehr, seeing his colleague desert that monarch and being unable to

help him alone, followed Agasilaus's example. He left Egypt, however, soon after, never to return. Tehor fled first to Sidon and thence to our Exerxes, who not only forgave him his former enmity, but even made him commander in chief of the army that was preparing to invade Egypt. For a while he lived at the Persian court, where he spent his time in wild orgies, until he finally died of dysentery. The command of the Persian army he never

actually took. This Pharaoh reigned two years alone and six years in conjunction with nect Nebef nect Nebev Greek Nectanebus the second three sixty one through three forty nine BC. In three sixty one b C the last native pharaoh, ascended the Egyptian throne. The first act of his reign was to give up the conquests in Poetia and Syria and to withdraw within the boundaries of Egypt. The reason for this step was most probably that the internal dissensions

had not yet come to a close. A Mendition had appeared as a pretender to the crown and had succeeded in gaining a large following and raising an army. He even attempted to gain over King Agasilaeus, but he remained loyal to his ally necked Nebev. Carefully avoiding a battle, retired to a fortified town where his rival beleaguered him. Already, the besieged were beginning to lose heart as their provisions

gave out, when Agasilaeus saved them. Sallying from the town, he broke the ranks of the besiegers and drew up his troops in the plain, so that both both flanks rested on canals. In the battle that ensued, the bravery of the Greeks prevailed over the superior numbers of the Egyptians. The latter were completely routed. The greater part of their number being slain and the rest flying from the field in wild disorder. Nec nebef was now undisputed ruler of Egypt.

Shortly after this victory, Agisilaeus determined to return home. The grateful king loaded him with presents. According to some authorities, he gave him two hundred and thirty talents or about two hundred and seventy one thousand, four hundred dollars, which he distributed among his troops. On his way to Syennae, he died. His body was embalmed and sent to Sparta, where it was buried with royal honors three sixty b C. Meanwhile, the Persians had completed their preparations and Arta Xerxes had

appointed his son Ochus co regent. Ochus set out for Egypt, but on hearing the news of his father's death in three point fifty nine b C, he returned home. Some time later, Ochus attempted the subjugation of Egypt, but was defeated by nect Nebev, who was assisted by two excellent generals, the Ephantes of Athens and Lamias of Sparta. This success of the Egyptians encouraged the Phonetis and the king of Cyprus to strike a blow for independence. They concluded treaties

with nect Nebev, and at once began extensive preparations. At the head of the Phoenician towns stood Saidon, which soon succeeded in collecting a large army and vast amounts of military stores. Ochus had however, not been idle. He had collected an army of three hundred thousand infantry and thirty thousand cavalry, and had fitted out three hundred triremes and five hundred transports. Then he started from Babylon. Before his arrival, two of his satraps Bellasis of Syria and Mazaeos of Silicia,

had in vain attempted the reconquest of Phoenicia. They were defeated and driven out of the country by Tennis, the king of Saidon, assisted by four thousand Greeks under Mentor, who had been sent him by neckt Nebeth. Now came the news that Ochus was approaching, and Tennis lost courage. He sent a trusty messenger to Ochus, asking pardon for his revolt and offering to aid the king against Egypt. Ogus gladly promised full pardon, even giving him costly presents,

and after some hesitation, pledged himself to this course. We shall presently see how he kept his word. Ochus had, while advancing on side On, despatched envoys to Greece asking the larger states to join in the campaign against Egypt. Athens and Sparta remained neutral. Thebes sent one thousand hoplites under Lacrites and Argos three thousand men under Nicostratus, whom

Ochus had asked them to send him. The Greek cities of Asia Minor furnished in all six thousand men, making the total number of Greeks in the Persian army aggregate ten thousand men. Ogus now laid siege to Sidon, which was very strongly fortified and would never have yielded had it not been for the treachery of its king. Tennis persuaded Mentor to join him, and together they succeeded in

admitting the Persians into the city. When the Sidonians saw they were lost, they destroyed their fleet, locked themselves up in their houses, and set fire to the city. Over forty thousand people are said to have perished in the flames. This so enraged Okus that he had Tennis put to death. Mentor and his four thousand joined the Persian army. The fall of Saidon was disastrous to the allies, for all of the Phoenician cities, on hearing of the dire news,

surrendered at discretion. About the same time, Cyprus again fell into the hands of the Persians. A detachment of eight thousand Greeks, supported by forty trirems under command of the Athenian Phocian and ex king Euegoras of Cyprus, succeeded in subduing the island very quickly. Salamis alone held out. Euagorus strained every nerve to capture the city, as he hoped to be made king again. Charges were, however, preferred against him, and consequently Pythagoras was allowed to keep the city as

a vassal of Persia. The Persians now attacked Egypt. After having suffered severe losses in the desert, they at length reached Pelusium. The Persian troops were drawn up at some distance from the strongly fortified town, while the Greeks camped almost under its walls. The city was garrisoned by five thousand men under Philoffrn. The first attack was made by the Thebans who waded the narrow canal that separated them from the town, and began a battle which lasted far

into the night, but was indecisive. The forces of neck Nebev were much inferior to those of the Persians, consisting of twenty thousand Greeks, twenty thousand Libyans, and sixty thousand Egyptians, but he possessed large numbers of river boats, which could be used used to great advantage in any combat on the Nile. And moreover, he had erected a string of strong forts along the eastern bank of the Peluzic branch.

He lacked, however, a good general. Proud of his previous victories over the Persians, he had neglected the send to Greece for a general. This mistake proved fatal. He had posted half his force in the forts, and with the rest he opposed the advance of the enemy. Before a decisive battle was fought. Nicostratus succeeded in moving his men to a point of vantage betrayed to him by an Egyptian,

and strongly entrenched himself. Seeing this, Clineus of cass who was posted near by with seven thousand men, attempted to dislodge him. The attack was repulsed Clineus and five thousand of his men fell. This battle was by no means decisive, but now the want of a good general showed itself in the Egyptian army. Instead of sending a stronger force against Nicostratus necked Nebeth, fearing that the Persians would all cross the Nile as easily as that commander had lost courage, and,

deserting his forts, retreated to Memphis. Meanwhile, Pelusium was being besieged by Lacrites, but it made a desperate resistance for several days. When the garrison heard of the pharaoh's retreat, however,

they offered to capitulate. Lacrits promised the Greek troops a safe retreat, and though Bagoas, who commanded the Persian division of this corps, attempted to attack them, he was prevented from doing so by his colleague Mentor, now marched through the delta, promising immunity to all who would surrender at discretion, and threatening all who should resist with the fate of saidon. Consequently, the Greek and Egyptian garrisons vied with one another in

the rapidity of their surrenders. Among others, the strong and important fortress of Bubastis surrendered at discretion, and all the other fortresses of the Delta followed its example. When nect Nbev heard of these losses, he dared not give battle, but taking the greater part of the monies in the

state coffers, he fled to Ethiopia. Thus, about three forty nine b C, Egypt, after an independence of sixty five years, again fell into the hands of the Persians, and from this time forth it was destined to be governed by foreign rulers. Section five. The thirty first Dynasty and the invasion of Alexander three forty nine through three thirty one b C. Of the last three Persian kings, not one

was of special importance for Egypt. Ochus was a cruel tyrant whose acts reminded of the times of the insanity of Cambises. The Greek authors relate stories of his outrages against the Egyptian religion that accord well with what we know of his character. They recount that the peace had once on a time nicknamed him Onos the ass, and now he determined to have his revenge. The sacred APIs steer was butchered and eaten by the king and his friends, and an ass was elevated to the position of sacred

animal in his stead. The sacred ram of Mendes was likewise slaughtered at the king's command. The walls of the principal cities were raised, the temples were plundered, and their treasures of gold and silver carried off to Persia. Not content with plundering the temples, Okus stole the sacred writings from the sanctuaries and compelled the priests to repurchase them

at exorbitant prices. As satrap, he appointed a Purian named Ferendatees, and then he returned home to Babylon loaded with rich booty. Twelve years after the conquest of Egypt, Ochus was murdered by Bagoas, who placed the king's son Arsace on the throne. But he ruled only three years, falling a victim to the same treacherous eunuch that had murdered his father three

thirty four BC. In the place of his last victim, Bagous elevated a distant relative of the royal family, his friend Darius, to the throne, and at his hands finally met his merited reward. The king detected the eunuch's plan against his life and compelled the fellow to swallow the draft intended for himself. Darius did not long retain the throne he owed to his friend's crime. The Greek invasion

under Alexander's leadership soon deprived him of his crown. Egypt remained tranquil, almost an uninterested spectator during the dread struggle between Greece and Persia. Even though all of the Persian garrisons had been withdrawn in the Battle of Issus, the Egyptian contingent fought with the Persians under its satrap Sabases. Their leader fell and the troops fled with Darius in Egypt. Mazases succeeded Sabbases as satrap, but he had no troops

to support his authority. The power of Persia was crushed, but Egypt did not strike the one blow that would have sufficed to regain its freedom. They had, however, sufficient spirit left to defend their homes against robbers. After the defeat of the Persians at Issus, Ametas, a Macedonian exile who had joined Darius, fled to Tripolis in Phoenicia, collected a fleet and sailed to Cyprus, where he increased his

land forces. Thence he sailed to Pelusium, effected a landing, and declared he was the new Satrap appointed by Darius. He then marched through the Delta to Memphis, near which city he defeated a body of Egyptians. After the victory, his bands dispersed to plunder the rich country seats lying about the city. While engaged in this world, they were surprised and cut to pieces by the citizens. Ametas fell, and not a man of his bands escaped. After taking

Tire and Gaza, Alexander determined to secure Egypt. He reached Pelusium after a seven days march without encountering any resistance. His fleet awaited him in the harbor Mazases. Having no troops and having no hope of assistance from his unfortunate monarch, had no recourse but surrender. Alexander garrisoned Pellusium and sent the fleet up the Nile to Memphis. With the army, he marched along the river bank to Heliopolis, and crossing

the river at this point, soon entered Memphis. The great king entered the ancient capital not in the character of a conqueror, but like a pharaoh of old, observing all the old religious ceremonies, he offered sacrifices to the gods, and instituted athletic games and prize contests in the fine arts,

in which celebrated Greek masters took part. The Egyptians were naturally captivated by this conduct, which was so different from that of the last Persian rulers, and it is not at all surprising that a mystic romance was soon woven about the person of the Macedonian king. According to this romance, nect Nebev had not fled to Ethiopia, but to Macedonia. He was a great magician, and as such he took the form of jubiter Amun, and in this form approached

Queen Olympius, the wife of King Philip. Alexander was, thus, the story continues, the son of nect Nebev, and not of Philip. The romance thus made Alexander the legitimate heir of the old pharaohs and the avenger of his father nect Nebev. It would seem that Alexander rather favored the spread of this legend, as he knew it would greatly

strengthen his hold on the Egyptian people. Sailing down the Nile from Memphis through the Canopic branch, he went to sea from cannapis landing at the outlet of Lake Maroetus, near the ancient town of Racote. He saw at a glance that the place offered unequaled harbor facilities. He therefore determined to found a city here would should bear his name, and thus was founded the city of Alexandria, the most important and most permanent of the many towns founded by

this king. This city soon became the great intellectual exchange between the nations of the Occident and the orient, the mother of a new civilization. Here, European and Oriental philosophy, religion, and science met on a footing of equality, and views were exchanged, and new systems inaugurated that completely revolutionized ideas. The philosophy of Philo and the astronomical system of Ptolemy

were among the brilliant results of the new civilization. A new art, the Hellenistic, resulted from the interchange of Greek and Oriental, more especially Egyptian ideas on art. Doubtless, too, the spread of Christianity was much fostered by the cosmopolitan spirit in regard to religious matters which emanated from this city. From Alexandria, the king pushed westward to the famous Oasis of Ammon. With the assistance of the gods, he reached

it in safety. The story goes that when the water supply gave out, rain fell, and that messengers of the God, in the shape of ravens, conducted the army to the oasis. On the way, he was met by a deputation from Syrinae, which offered him a golden crown and costly presents. The city evidently a handed an attack, and thought it advisable to submit peaceably. As Alexander entered the temple of Amon on the oasis, the high priest hailed him as son

of the God. Not knowing that it was customary to designate the Pharaohs as sons of ra and of Amon, the king laid great stress on this greeting. After having made the temple rich presence, Alexander returned to Memphis in safety. Here he instituted a great festival in honor of Jupiter. He now turned his attention to the reorganization of the

Egyptian government. The civil government was put into the hands of two Egyptian nomarchoi named Doloaspis and Petisis, and on the resignation of the former, the control roowle of civil matters was entrusted to the latter alone. The commanders of the garrisons and of the various troops of mercenaries, as well as the heads of the commissary departments were Greeks. Leaving a part of his army in Egypt, Alexander early in three thirty one BC left the country, never to return.

He had so delicately adjusted the government that the various officials effectively held one another in check, and there could be no chance of a revolt. After Alexander's death, his body was brought to Alexandria for interment. With the conquest of Egypt by Alexander, the history of the country comes to a close. The Ptolemies, who after the Great King's death again made Egypt independent, were a Greek family, and the civilization of their times differed materially from that of

the older epics. Under them, the old religious traditions were fostered, it is true, but they no longer possessed any vitality. There was no longer a national religion as of old. The old religion and language were known to the priests alone, and with every generation they became less and less intelligible. Even to this class of well let us call them official custodians of the ancient traditions. Until with the coming of Christianity in the first century AD, the old religion

gradually passed away. The Ptolemies themselves were Greeks. Their capital, Alexandria, was a Greek city. The civilization of their epoch was partly Greek, partly Egyptian. The history of Egypt after the conquest forms an integral part, first of Greek, then of Roman,

and lastly of Mohammedan history. Chronological table Mena unites upper and lower Egypt not later than thirty two hundred b C. S. Nephru the founder of the Fourth dynasty not later than twenty eight thirty b C. Accession of Mari Ra Pepi not later than twenty five thirty b C. Transition period about twenty four hundred through twenty two fifty fifty b C. Accession of a Menemhat the first about twenty one thirty BC, Usir Tessen the third about twenty thirteen through nineteen eighty

seven b C. A Menemhat, the third about nineteen eighty six through nineteen forty two b C. Hiksos domination about

seventeen eighty through fifteen thirty BC. Accession of Akmas the first about fifteen thirty b C. Tutmosis, the third about fourteen eighty through fourteen twenty seven b C. Chewinatin about thirteen seventy six through thirteen sixty one four b C. Accession of Horumheb about thirteen forty b C. Seti the first about thirteen sixteen through twelve eighty nine b C. Ramses, the second about twelve eighty eight through twelve twenty one b C. Ramses, the third about eleven eighty through eleven

forty eight b C. Accession of Harrahor the first priest king about ten fifty b C. Sheshenk the first about nine forty five through nine twenty four b C. Pianchi's invasion about eight hundred b C. Accession of Shabaka about seven twenty eight b C. First Assyrian invasion about six seventy two b C. Second Assyrian invasion about six sixty seven b C. Tanawat Amon's invasion about six sixty four

b C. Third Assyrian invasion about six sixty two. B C Semtec the first six forty five through six ten, b C Nekau six ten through five ninety four, b C Battle of Karchemish six o four b C Nebekinzer invades Egypt five sixty seven, b C Conquest of Egypt

by Cambises five twenty five. B C Revolt of Chabash four eighty six, b C Revolt of Inaros four sixty four through four sixty b C Ahmenrut freeze Egypt from Persia four fourteen, b C nect Hoorheb three eighty six through three sixty eight, b C nect Nebef three sixty one through three forty nine, b C Conquest of Egypt by Ochus three forty nine, b C Conquest of Egypt by Alexander three thirty one b C. The end end of Chapter ten, Part two, End of History of Egypt by F. C. H. Wendell