Origins & Early Life

Cambyses II was the second King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire, reigning from 530 to 522 BCE. He was the son of and successor to Cyrus the Great (r. 550–530 BC); his mother was Cassandane. His relatively brief reign was marked by his conquests in North Africa, notably Egypt, which he took by defeating pharaoh Psamtik III (r.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

526–525 BC) at the Battle of Pelusium in 525 BC. After his victory in Egypt, he expanded the empire's holdings in Africa by taking Cyrenaica, the coastal region of eastern Libya. In the spring of 522 BC, Cambyses had to leave Egypt hastily to put down a revolt in Persia. En route to Syria (Eber-Nari), Cambyses somehow received a thigh wound; it soon became gangrenous. Cambyses died three weeks later in Agbatana, likely the modern city of Hama.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He died childless, and was thus succeeded by his younger brother Bardiya. Bardiya ruled for a short time, and was then overthrown by Darius the Great (r. 522–486 BC), who went on to increase the power of the Achaemenids further. Before his accession, Cambyses was governor of northern Babylonia under his father Cyrus from April to December 538 BCE. He held positions in Babylon and Sippar. In 530 BCE, his father made him...

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