TheTwenty-sixth Dynasty of Egypt (notatedDynasty XXVI, alternatively26th Dynasty orDynasty 26) was the last nativedynasty of ancient Egypt before thePersian conquest in 525 BC (although other brief periods of rule byEgyptians followed). The dynasty's reign (664–525 BC) is also called theSaite Period after the city ofSais, where itspharaohs had their capital, and marks the beginning of theLate Period of ancient Egypt.[1]
In 605 BCE, an Egyptian force underNecho II of Dynasty XXVI fought theNeo-Babylonian Empire at theBattle of Carchemish, helped by the remnants of the military of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, but this was met with defeat. Illustration published in 1915.
With the sack ofNineveh in 612 BC and the fall of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, both Psamtik and his successors attempted to reassert Egyptian power in the Near East but were driven back by theNeo-Babylonian Empire underNebuchadnezzar II. With the help of Greek mercenaries, PharaohApries was able to hold back Babylonian attempts to conquer Egypt.
In May 2020, an Egyptian-Spanish archaeological mission headed by Esther Ponce revealed a unique cemetery, which consists of one room built with glazed limestone dating back to the 26th Dynasty (also known as the El-Sawi era) at the site of ancientOxyrhynchus. Archaeologists also uncovered bronze coins, clay seals, Roman tombstones and small crosses.[4][5][6] On October 3, 2020, Egypt unveiled 59 coffins of priests and clerks from the 26th dynasty, dating to nearly 2,500 years ago.[7]
Sarcophagus of Harkhebit "Royal Seal Bearer, Sole Companion, Chief Priest of the Shrines ofUpper and Lower Egypt, and Overseer of the Cabinet", 595–526 BCE,Saqqara, 26th dynasty of Egypt.[8]
When the Nubian KingShabaka defeated Bakenranef, son ofTefnakht, he likely installed a Nubian commander as governor at Sais. This may be the man namedAmmeris. Stephinates may be a descendant of Bakenrenef. He is sometimes referred to asTefnakht II in the literature. Nechepsos has been identified with a local king namedNekauba (678–672 BC). Manetho's Necho is KingNecho I (672–664 BC); Manetho gives his reign as 8 years.[9] Necho was killed during a conflict with the Nubian kingTantamani. Psamtik I fled toNineveh – capital of the Neo-Assyrian Empire – and returned to Egypt whenAshurbanipal defeated Tantamani and drove him back south.[1] Scholars now start the 26th Dynasty with the reign ofPsamtik I.[1][9]
Sextus Julius Africanus states in his often accurate version of Manetho'sEpitome that the dynasty numbered nine pharaohs, beginning with a "Stephinates" (Tefnakht II) and ending with Psamtik III. Africanus also notes thatPsamtik I andNecho I ruled for 54 and 8 years respectively.[full citation needed]
Overthrown and forced into exile by Amasis II. Returned to Egypt at the head of a Babylonian army, but was defeated and likely killed. Manetho gives his reign as 19 years.
Herodotus claims that whenCambyses II invaded Egypt, realizing he was not able to exact revenge for Amasis's previous misdeeds and trickery, he exhumed his body, desecrated it and burned what remained of the mummy.
Ruled for only 6 months, according to Herodotus, before a Persian invasion led byCambyses II conquered Egypt and captured Psamtik III. Committed suicide in Persian captivity.