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[[File:Medo-Persia - Achaemid Family Tree - inc Otanes & Cyaxares II.PNG|250px|thumb|right|The Achaemid Family Tree showing the merging or the royal houses of the Medes and the Persians to create the Medo-Persian Empire; known to many as simply the Persian Empire.]]

[[File:Medo-Persia - Achaemid Family Tree - inc Otanes & Cyaxares II.PNG|250px|thumb|right|The Achaemenid Family Tree showing the merging of the royal houses of the Medes and the Persians to create the Medo-Persian Empire; known to many as simply the Persian Empire.]]

'''Cambyses II''', was the second king of the [[Medo‑Persian Empire]], succeeding his father [[Cyrus|Cyrus II "The Great"]]. He reigned from 530 BC until his death in 522 BC and presided over the first major expansion of the [[Achaemenid Empire]] into Africa. Cambyses is remembered for his conquest of [[Egypt]], the mysterious disappearance of his army in the western desert, and the political turmoil that followed his death.

'''Cambyses II''', was the second king of the [[Medo‑Persian Empire]], succeeding his father [[Cyrus|Cyrus II "The Great"]]. He reigned from 530 BC until his death in 522 BC and presided over the first major expansion of the [[Achaemenid Empire]] into Africa. Cambyses is remembered for his conquest of [[Egypt]], the mysterious disappearance of his army in the western desert, and the political turmoil that followed his death.

Cambyses II launched the Persian invasion of Egypt in 525 BC, completing the Achaemenid expansion begun under his father, Cyrus the Great. The decisive engagement was the Battle of Pelusium, where Persian forces under Cambyses defeated Pharaoh Psamtik III and opened the Nile Delta to Persian occupation. After the victory, Cambyses entered Memphis and was recognized as Pharaoh, incorporating Egypt into the Achaemenid imperial system.

Cambyses II launched the Persian invasion of Egypt in 525 BC, completing the Achaemenid expansion begun under his father, Cyrus the Great. The decisive engagement was the Battle of Pelusium, where Persian forces under Cambyses defeated Pharaoh Psamtik III and opened the Nile Delta to Persian occupation. After the victory, Cambyses entered Memphis and was recognized as Pharaoh, incorporating Egypt into the Achaemenid imperial system.

The campaign combined conventional military operations with political and psychological measures. Ancient authors report that Cambyses used both naval and land forces, secured alliances with local tribes, and exploited divisions within Egypt’s ruling elite. After the conquest he installed Persian administrators and garrisoned key cities to secure the new province.

The campaign combined conventional military operations with political and psychological measures. Ancient authors report that Cambyses used both naval and land forces, secured alliances with local tribes, and exploited divisions within Egypt’s ruling elite. After the conquest, he installed Persian administrators and garrisoned key cities to secure the new province.

Cambyses’ Egyptian campaign is also notable for his visit to the Oracle of Ammon at Siwa, a journey that later authors treated as a significant personal and religious episode. The expedition to Siwa and the events surrounding it figure prominently in the ancient narratives of Cambyses’ reign.

Cambyses’ Egyptian campaign is also notable for his visit to the Oracle of Ammon at Siwa, a journey that later authors treated as a significant personal and religious episode. The expedition to Siwa and the events surrounding it figure prominently in the ancient narratives of Cambyses’ reign.

== Death ==

== Death ==

Upon learning that Faulse Smerdis has ceased the throne, legend records that he jumped upon his horse and thereby accidentally cut his thigh with his sword and contracted gangreen from which he later died.

Upon learning that False Smerdis had seized the throne, legend records that he jumped upon his horse and thereby accidentally cut his thigh with his sword and contracted gangrene, from which he later died.