Psamtik III

Psammetichus III. was the last pharaoh (king) of the Egyptian 26th Dynasty (string Dynasty ), and ruled 526-525 BC

Life

Psammetichus III. was the son of Amasis and Queen Takheta. He was his father's lifetime commander of the Egyptian fleet and took over after his death, his successor as king of Egypt. Even after a reign of only six months, he was II in 525 BC defeated by the Persian king Cambyses at Pelusium. This defeat is attributed to the treachery of the Egyptian defensive positions by the mercenary leader Phanes of Halicarnassus. Psammetichus III. was a short time later besieged in Memphis and forced to give up his office. After the conquest of the city slew Cambyses II 2,000 wealthy residents, but out of compassion treated Psammetichus III. initially gracious. As this, however, the Egyptians calling for resistance against the Persians, he was sentenced according to Herodotus (III, 15) adapted to pass through the " drinking bull's blood " in the year 523 BC. to kill.

Progeny

According to Herodotus records begat Psammetichus III. with his wife, a daughter and a son named Amasis. About it but there is no other sources.

Documents

Due to his short reign are few monuments of Psammetichus III. known.