3 Psamtek ‘the Great’
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Roger Forshaw
Abstract
On coming to the throne of the Kingdom of the West, Psamtek began the process of reunifying Egypt. The Assyrians left in unidentified circumstances and Psamtek began to bolster his military forces by recruiting foreign mercenaries. Economically the fledgling Saite state was quite weak, and Psamtek sought to improve his economic base by establishing trading relations, particularly with the Aegeans and the Phoenicians. He expanded his power throughout the Delta, seemingly by mainly diplomatic means. In Middle Egypt Psamtek strengthened his alliances with the major power, the rulers of the Herakleopolitan kingdom who eventually recognised him as king. In the south of the country he achieved his greatest success, with the adoption of his eldest daughter, Princess Nitiqret, as heir to the powerful position of God’s Wife of Amun. In doing so he was able to return the Thebaid to Egyptian central royal authority. Within a period of about nine years Psamtek had imposed his will throughout Egypt but overall consolidation of his power and full reintegration of the state of Egypt was some time away.
Abstract
On coming to the throne of the Kingdom of the West, Psamtek began the process of reunifying Egypt. The Assyrians left in unidentified circumstances and Psamtek began to bolster his military forces by recruiting foreign mercenaries. Economically the fledgling Saite state was quite weak, and Psamtek sought to improve his economic base by establishing trading relations, particularly with the Aegeans and the Phoenicians. He expanded his power throughout the Delta, seemingly by mainly diplomatic means. In Middle Egypt Psamtek strengthened his alliances with the major power, the rulers of the Herakleopolitan kingdom who eventually recognised him as king. In the south of the country he achieved his greatest success, with the adoption of his eldest daughter, Princess Nitiqret, as heir to the powerful position of God’s Wife of Amun. In doing so he was able to return the Thebaid to Egyptian central royal authority. Within a period of about nine years Psamtek had imposed his will throughout Egypt but overall consolidation of his power and full reintegration of the state of Egypt was some time away.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front matter i
- Epigraph v
- Contents vii
- List of figures viii
- Foreword xi
- Preface xii
- Abbreviations xiv
- Chronologies xvi
- 1 Political turmoil and ‘Libyan’ settlers 1
- 2 Kushite and Assyrian invaders 24
- 3 Psamtek ‘the Great’ 52
- 4 Egypt, a new beginning 77
- 5 The heirs of Psamtek I 124
- 6 Haaibra versus Ahmose II 146
- 7 Fall of the house of Sais 172
- 8 The Saite era within the history of Pharaonic civilisation 182
- References 189
- Index 221
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front matter i
- Epigraph v
- Contents vii
- List of figures viii
- Foreword xi
- Preface xii
- Abbreviations xiv
- Chronologies xvi
- 1 Political turmoil and ‘Libyan’ settlers 1
- 2 Kushite and Assyrian invaders 24
- 3 Psamtek ‘the Great’ 52
- 4 Egypt, a new beginning 77
- 5 The heirs of Psamtek I 124
- 6 Haaibra versus Ahmose II 146
- 7 Fall of the house of Sais 172
- 8 The Saite era within the history of Pharaonic civilisation 182
- References 189
- Index 221
