Cultures > Achaemenid Egypt

Achaemenid Egypt

Background

Achaemenid Egypt refers to the period of Egyptian history during which Egypt was under the control of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, also known as the First Persian Empire. Egypt came under Persian control in 525 BCE when Cambyses II, the son of Cyrus the Great, led a military campaign that resulted in the defeat of the Egyptian pharaoh Psamtik III. This marked the end of the 26th Dynasty and the beginning of Persian rule. Following the conquest, Egypt became a satrapy (province) of the Achaemenid Empire. It was governed by a Persian satrap appointed by the king of Persia, who was responsible for collecting taxes, maintaining order, and overseeing administration.

Achaemenid Egypt (525–402 BC and 343–332 BC), referring to two periods of Achaemenid rule punctuated by an interval of independence. The initial period of Achaemenid Persian occupation when Egypt (Old Persian: 𐎸𐎭𐎼𐎠𐎹 Mudrāya) became a satrapy, known today as the Twenty-seventh Dynasty of Egypt, was followed by an interval of independence. A second period of rule, again by the Achaemenids, is known as the Thirty-first Dynasty of Egypt.

Satrapies

Twenty-seventh Dynasty of Egypt (525 BCE−402 BCE) — also known as the First Egyptian Satrapy.

Thirty-first Dynasty of Egypt (343 BCE−332 BCE) — also known as the Second Egyptian Satrapy.

Administration and Governance:

Persian Administration: The Persian satrap in Egypt typically had a council of advisors, which included both Persians and local Egyptians. The administration followed Persian administrative practices, but local customs and traditions were also respected to some extent.

Taxes and Tribute: Egypt was a wealthy province within the Persian Empire due to its agricultural productivity and strategic location. The Persian administration collected taxes from Egyptian farmers and merchants, as well as tribute from local rulers and officials.

Cultural and Religious Policies:

Religious Tolerance: The Persians generally practiced religious tolerance and allowed the Egyptians to continue worshiping their traditional gods and goddesses, although some temples and religious institutions may have been subject to Persian influence.

Cultural Exchange: The period of Persian rule saw a degree of cultural exchange between Egypt and the Persian Empire. Egyptian art and architecture continued to develop, albeit with some Persian influences, and there was interaction between Egyptian and Persian elites.

Legacy and End of Achaemenid Rule:

Revolt and Liberation: Persian rule in Egypt was not without challenges, and there were occasional revolts against Persian authority. The most significant revolt occurred in 404 BCE, led by the Egyptian prince Amyrtaeus, which eventually led to the expulsion of the Persians from Egypt.

Impact on Egyptian History: The period of Persian rule left a lasting impact on Egyptian history and culture. It marked a period of interaction between Egypt and the wider Near Eastern world, and some aspects of Persian administration and governance may have influenced later Egyptian dynasties.

In summary, Achaemenid Egypt was a period of Egyptian history characterized by Persian political control and influence. While Egypt remained distinctively Egyptian in many respects, Persian rule brought about changes in administration, culture, and society that left a lasting legacy on the region.

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Sources

Primary Sources

Herodotus (Histories)

Fragments of Ctesias (Persica)

Thucydides (History of the Peloponnesian War)

Diodorus Siculus (Bibliotheca historica)

Fragments of Manetho (Aegyptiaca)

Flavius Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews)

Secondary Sources

Fournet, Jean-Luc: Persians in Egypt. In: The Encyclopedia of Ancient History. Published Online: 26 OCT 2012.