| Amyrtaeus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Amenirdisu; Amyrtaios ofSais (Ἀμυρταῖος Σαΐτης in Greek) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Aramaicpapyrus from Elephantine, dating to Regnal Year 5 of Amyrtaeus (400 BC). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pharaoh | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reign | 5 years, 404 BC to October 399 BC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | Darius II | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Successor | Nepherites I | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Died | October 399 BC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dynasty | 28th Dynasty | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
AmyrtaeusofSais (Greek:ἈμυρταῖοςAmyrtaios, aHellenization of the originalEgyptian nameAmenirdisu) is the onlypharaoh of theTwenty-eighth Dynasty of Egypt[2] and is thought to be related to the royal family of theTwenty-sixth Dynasty (664–525 BC). He ended thefirst Persian occupation of Egypt (i.e. the Twenty-seventh Dynasty: 525–404 BC) and reigned from 404 BC to 399 BC.[3] Amyrtaeus' successful insurrection inaugurated Egypt's last significant phase of independence under native sovereigns, which lasted for about 60 years until the Persians conquered the country again.[4]
Sextus Julius Africanus (Chronographiai) calls him "Amyrteos",[5] whileEusebius of Caesarea (Chronicon) calls him "Amirtaios"[2] — both of them recording that he reigned for 6 years. Anancient Egyptianprophetic text, theDemotic Chronicle (3rd/2nd century BC[6]), states:
The first ruler who came after the foreigners who are the Medes [Persians] was Pharaoh Amenirdais [Amyrtaios].
— from theDemotic Chronicle[7]
Amyrtaeus was probably the grandson of the Amyrtaeus of Sais who, withInaros II (himself a grandson of PharaohPsamtik III), led a rebellion between 465 BC and 463 BC against theSatrap ofArtaxerxes I.[2] He is known fromAramaic andancient Greek sources, and is mentioned in theDemotic Chronicle. A "virtually unknown ruler",[3] he is not known to have left any monuments,[8] and his name inEgyptian is only reconstructed fromdemotic notices: nohieroglyphic writing of hisnames has been found.[2][9]
Beforeassuming the throne of Egypt, Amyrtaeus had revolted against the Persian KingDarius II (423–404 BC) as early as 411 BC, leading a guerrilla action in the westernNile Delta around his home city of Sais.[3]
Following the death of Darius, Amyrtaeus declared himself king in 404 BC.[3] According toIsocrates,Artaxerxes II assembled an army inPhoenicia under the command ofAbrocomas to retake Egypt shortly after coming to the Persian throne, but political problems with his brotherCyrus the Younger prevented this from taking place, allowing theEgyptians sufficient time to throw off Achaemenid rule. While the rule of Amyrtaeus in the western Delta was established by 404 BC, Artaxerxes II continued to be recognized asking atElephantine as late as 401 BC, butAramaic papyri from the site refer to Regnal Year 5 of Amyrtaeus in September 400 BC.[10][11] The Elephantine papyri also demonstrate that between 404 and 400 BC (or even 398 BC) Upper Egypt remained under Persian control, while the forces of Amyrtaeus dominated the Delta.
In 1st century BC, theGreekhistorianDiodorus Siculus wrote in hisBibliotheca historica (XIV, 35.3–5) that a King named Psamtik — which seems to be identified with Amyrtaeus,[2] perhaps being "Psamtik" his lost regnal name[8] — murdered the Greek admiral Tamos who had taken refuge in Egypt after the defeat of the rebel Cyrus.[12] If the information was correct, Amyrtaeus would seem to have acted in this way to ingratiate himself with Artaxerxes II.[2] It is likely that King Amyrtaeus concluded an alliance withSparta implying that Egypt was provided with military aid by Sparta in exchange for grain.[8]
Amyrtaeus was defeated in open battle by his successor,Nepherites I ofMendes[13] and executed atMemphis, an event which theAramaicpapyrus Brooklyn 13 implies occurred in October 399 BC.[12] Nepherites I then transferred the capital to Mendes (Lower Egypt).[2] There is no further information available regarding Amyrtaeus' rule, fall and death. Nepherites I reigned until 393 BC, being succeeded by his designated heir, his sonHakor.
Amyrtaeus Born: ? Died: October 399 BC | ||
| Preceded by | Pharaoh of Egypt 404–399 BC | Succeeded by |
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