Late Period of Egypt

Quick Facts: Who was Late Period of Egypt?

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Late Period of Egypt

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The final era of native Egyptian rule, spanning from the Saite Dynasty to Alexander's conquest.

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Origins & Early Life

The Late Period of Egypt refers to the last flowering of native Egyptian rulers after the Third Intermediate Period in the 26th Saite Dynasty founded by Psamtik I, but includes the time of Achaemenid rule over Egypt after the conquest by Cambyses II in 525 BC. The Late Period existed from 664 BC until 332 BC, following a period of foreign rule by the Nubian 25th Dynasty and beginning with a short period of Neo-Assyrian suzerainty, with Psamtik I initially ruling as their vassal. The period ended with the conquests of the Achaemenid Empire by Alexander the Great and the establishment of the Ptolemaic dynasty by his general Ptolemy I Soter, one of the Hellenistic diadochi from Macedon in northern Greece. With the Macedonian Greek conquest in the latter half of the 4th century BC, the age of Hellenistic Egypt began. The Twenty-Sixth Dynasty, also known as the Saite Dynasty, after its seat of power the city of Sais, reigned from 672 to 525 BC, and consisted of six pharaohs.

Career & Major Achievements

It started with the unification of Egypt under Psamtik I in 656/655 BC, itself a direct consequence of the Sack of Thebes by the Assyrians in 663 BC. Canal construction from the Nile to the Red Sea began. Egypt seems to have expanded into the Near East early in this period. They conquered the city of Ashdod around 655 BC, and a wide range of archaeological finds from throughout the Levant shows an Egyptian occupation and control in the late decades of the 7th century BC. These include various Egyptian objects from several sites, ostraca and documents showing a tribute/tax system, and evidence from the fortress of Mezad Hashavyahu.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Egyptian influence reached to the Euphrates area in places such as Kimuhu and Quramati. Later they were pushed back by the defeat at Carcemish, although Egyptian intervention in the Near East seems to have continued for a while after this battle. In 570 BC, Apries (Hophra) was deposed by Amasis II, who replaced him as Pharaoh of Egypt. In Amasis' fourth year, around 568–567 BC, Egypt was invaded by the Babylonians, under the leadership of Nebuchadnezzar II. This assault was recorded by a fragmentary Babylonian inscription, as well as a fragmentary stele of Amasis from the 4th year of his reign in 567 BC, which may describe a combined naval and land attack by the Babylonians.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Late Period of Egypt

True or False: “The Late Period was entirely characterized by uninterrupted indigenous pharaonic rule until 332 BCE.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The period included significant foreign domination, notably the Achaemenid Empire's rule and subsequent satrapy status.

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