Inaros II

Quick Facts: Who was Inaros II?

Subject:

Inaros II

Known for:

Egyptian rebel ruler who revolted against the Persians in the 5th century BC.

Born:

500 BC

Died:

500 BC

Century / Era:

-500s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Inaros (II), also known as Inarus, (fl. c. 460 BC) was an Egyptian rebel ruler who was the son of an Egyptian prince named Psamtik, presumably of the old Saite line, and grandson of Psamtik III. In 460 BC, he revolted against the Persians with the help of his Athenian allies under Admiral Charitimides, and defeated the Persian army commanded by satrap Achaemenes. The Persians retreated to Memphis, but the Athenians were finally defeated in 454 BC by the Persian army led by Megabyzus, satrap of Syria, and Artabazus, satrap of Phrygia, after a two-year siege. Inaros was captured and carried away to Susa where he was reportedly crucified in 454 BC.

Career & Major Achievements

He held a kingship over the Libyans from Mareia (above Pharos) and the part of the Nile Delta around Sais. With help from Amyrtaeus, also from Sais, who took the northern marshes, Inarus drove out the tax-collectors while collecting mercenaries. These actions started a revolt in Egypt at the beginning of the reign of King Artaxerxes I of Persia, following the assassination of king Xerxes I. The Athenian allies from whom he was paid 100 triers, sent troops and an army of more than 200 ships led by Charitimides to aid him in 460 BC. Diodorus tells us that once the Athenians had arrived, they and the Egyptians accepted battle from the Persians. The rebel army confronted the Persian army of around 400,000 infantry and eighty ships led by the brother of Artaxerxes, the satrap Achaemenes.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

At first the Persians' superior numbers gave them the advantage, but eventually the Athenians broke through the Persian line, whereupon the Persian army was routed and fled. However, a portion of the Persian army found refuge in the citadel of Memphis (called the 'White Castle') and could not be dislodged. Thucydides's rather compressed version of these events is: "and making themselves masters of the river and two-thirds of Memphis, addressed themselves to the attack of the remaining third, which is called White Castle". The satrap Achaemenes, together with 100,000 of his 400,000 men was defeated and killed at Papremis and the Persians retreated to Memphis. The commanders of the Athenian fleet, Charitimides and Cimon fought a naval battle with the Persians, in which forty Greek ships engaged fifty Persians ships, of which twenty of the Persian ships were captured with their crews, and the remaining thirty sunk.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 500 BC: Birth of Inaros II — Egyptian rebel ruler who revolted against the Persians in the 5th century BC.
2. 500 BC: Passing & Historical Legacy — Inaros II passed away on -500, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Inaros II

True or False: “Inaros II was executed immediately after the Athenian defeat at Prosopitis.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): He was captured and eventually taken to Susa, where his fate was debated for several years before execution.

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• Amyrtaeus — Contemporary (Born in -500) (-500): Pharaoh of the Twenty-eighth Dynasty, ending the first Persian occupation of Egypt.
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• Artaxerxes I — Contemporary (Born in -500) (-500): Fifth King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire, ruling from 465 to 424 BC.
• Artemisia I of Caria — Contemporary (Born in -500) (-500): Queen of Halicarnassus and Caria, famed for her role in the Persian Wars.
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• -500 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from -500

Frequently Asked Questions about Inaros II