Changes

It was with a sense of irony, that the impetus for re-unifying Egypt and rebuilding her former power would come from Nubia. The 25th Dynasty advanced out of their base at [[Napata]], and secured all of [[Upper Egypt]] by a process of gradual conquest, winning recognition from local nonarchs and forming a confederacy. The Assyrians, with their vassals in the Delta, were alarmed, advanced south and sacked [[Thebes]]. However, the example had been made, and with the help of Greek mercenaries, [[Psamtik I]] of [[Sais]] freed himself from his [[Assyrian]] overlord, and reunified Egypt.

It was with a sense of irony, that the impetus for re-unifying Egypt and rebuilding her former power would come from Nubia. The 25th Dynasty advanced out of their base at [[Napata]], and secured all of [[Upper Egypt]] by a process of gradual conquest, winning recognition from local nonarchs and forming a confederacy. The Assyrians, with their vassals in the Delta, were alarmed, advanced south and sacked [[Thebes]]. However, the example had been made, and with the help of Greek mercenaries, [[Psamtik I]] of [[Sais]] freed himself from his [[Assyrian]] overlord, and reunified Egypt.

The 26th Dynasty harked back to the O[[ld Kingdom]] for it’s inspiration, in art religion and ideals of Kingship, and the period is often referred to as the “[[Saite Renaissance]]” or “Archaic Renaissance”.  

The 26th Dynasty harked back to the [[Old Kingdom]] for it’s inspiration, in art religion and ideals of Kingship, and the period is often referred to as the “[[Saite Renaissance]]” or “Archaic Renaissance”.  

The [[Late Period]] saw increased contact with the Hellenic world, with many Greek mercenaries serving in the Egyptian military, and a Greek merchants settling in the purpose built trading center of [[Naukratis]]. This ultimately proved fatal, and in 525 BC, [[Persian]] forces, with a large number of Greek mercenaries conquered Egypt following the defection of a key Egyptian mercenary commander, [[Phanes of Hallicarnassus]].  

The [[Late Period]] saw increased contact with the Hellenic world, with many Greek mercenaries serving in the Egyptian military, and a Greek merchants settling in the purpose built trading center of [[Naukratis]]. This ultimately proved fatal, and in 525 BC, [[Persian]] forces, with a large number of Greek mercenaries conquered Egypt following the defection of a key Egyptian mercenary commander, [[Phanes of Hallicarnassus]].  

Egypt liberated herself from Perisan rule in 404BC, bringing to power the 29th and 30th Dynasties, the last sustained period of Egyptian native rule. The second Persian occupation was much more brief, lasting just over a decade from 343BC until the invasion of [[Alexander]] in 332BC.

Egypt liberated herself from Perisan rule in 404BC, bringing to power the 29th and 30th Dynasties, the last sustained period of Egyptian native rule. The second Persian occupation was much more brief, lasting just over a decade from 343BC until the invasion of [[Alexander]] in 332BC.

 

=== Ptolemaic Period ===

=== Ptolemaic Period ===

Alexander put an end to the second Persian occupation in 332BC. Having secured Egypt, he traveled to the Oracle of [[Amun]] in [[Siwa]] Oasis, where the oracle pronounced him the Son of Amun, and legitimate ruler of Egypt. He also visited [[Memphis]], the traditional administrative capital of Egypt and centre of the cult of [[Ptah]]. These acts won him the respect of some of the Egyptian elite. Alexander also decided to develop a port on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast. He chose the coastal town of [[Ra-Kedet]], which would be redeveloped into the metropolis of [[Alexandria]], serving to link Egypt to his empire.

Alexander put an end to the second Persian occupation in 332BC. Having secured Egypt, he traveled to the Oracle of [[Amun]] in [[Siwa]] Oasis, where the oracle pronounced him the Son of Amun, and legitimate ruler of Egypt. He also visited [[Memphis]], the traditional administrative capital of Egypt and centre of the cult of [[Ptah]]. These acts won him the respect of some of the Egyptian elite. Alexander also decided to develop a port on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast. He chose the coastal town of [[Ra-Kedet]], which would be redeveloped into the metropolis of [[Alexandria]], serving to link Egypt to his empire.