Origins & Early Life

Nectanebo II (Egyptian: Nḫt-Ḥr-Ḥbt; Ancient Greek: Νεκτανεβώς Nectanebos) was the last native ruler of ancient Egypt, as well as the third and last pharaoh of the Thirtieth Dynasty, reigning from 358 to c.340 BC. During the reign of Nectanebo II, Egyptian artists developed a specific style that left a distinctive mark on the reliefs of the Ptolemaic Kingdom. Like his indirect predecessor Nectanebo I, Nectanebo II showed enthusiasm for many of the cults of the gods within ancient Egyptian religion, and more than a hundred Egyptian sites bear evidence of his attention. For several years, Nectanebo II was successful in keeping Egypt safe from the Achaemenid Empire.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

However, he was betrayed by his former servant, Mentor of Rhodes, and ultimately defeated. The Achaemenids occupied Memphis and then seized the rest of Egypt, incorporating the country into the Achaemenid Empire under Artaxerxes III. Nectanebo fled south. His subsequent fate is unknown. Nectanebo is derived from the Greek form of his name, Nectanebōs (Νεκτανεβώς, or Νεκτανεβός in later sources).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

His Egyptian name was Nḫt-ḥr-Ḥbt (Nakht-hor-hebyt), which means "victorious is Horus of Hebyt". Although convention in English...

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