The Age of Decay II
The Rise of the Late Period (664-332 BCE)
The Age of Decay II, which spanned from 664 to 332 BCE, was a time of great turmoil and decline for ancient Egypt. The Late Period, as it is known, marked the end of the Third Intermediate Period and the beginning of the Persian and Greek occupations. The Egyptian empire, once a powerful and dominant force in the region, had begun to fragment and decline.
The Struggle for Power
During the Late Period, Egypt was plagued by a series of weak and ineffective rulers who struggled to maintain control over the increasingly fragmented state. The Vizierate, a powerful administrative office that had once been responsible for governing the kingdom, had become corrupt and ineffective. The nobility, who had once been loyal to the pharaohs, had become powerful and independent.
The Assyrian Conquest
In 664 BCE, the Assyrian Empire, under the rule of King Ashurbanipal, invaded Egypt and conquered its southern territories. The Assyrians were a powerful and ruthless force that had already conquered much of Mesopotamia and Anatolia. They pillaged and destroyed many of Egypt’s temples and cities, leaving behind a trail of devastation.
The Nubian Invasion
In 653 BCE, the Nubian Kingdom of Kush, which had long been a rival to Egypt, invaded the Nile Valley. The Nubians were a powerful and well-organized force that had been growing in strength and power over the years. They conquered much of Upper Egypt and established a new capital at Napata.
The Saite Dynasty
In 664 BCE, a new dynasty emerged in Egypt, known as the Saite Dynasty. The Saite pharaohs were a group of powerful and intelligent rulers who managed to reassert Egyptian control over much of the country. They were able to drive out the Assyrians and establish a new capital at Sais.
The Persian Occupation
In 525 BCE, the Persian Empire, under the rule of King Cambyses II, invaded Egypt and conquered its northern territories. The Persians were a powerful and well-organized force that had already conquered much of the Middle East. They established a new capital at Memphis and incorporated Egypt into their empire.
The Greek Occupation
In 332 BCE, the Greek Empire, under the rule of Alexander the Great, invaded Egypt and conquered its remaining territories. The Greeks were a powerful and well-organized force that had already conquered much of Asia Minor. They established a new capital at Alexandria and incorporated Egypt into their empire.
Conclusion
The Age of Decay II was a time of great turmoil and decline for ancient Egypt. The Late Period was marked by struggles for power, foreign invasions, and the eventual collapse of the Egyptian empire. The Saite Dynasty managed to reassert Egyptian control over much of the country, but ultimately failed to stem the tide of decline. The Persian and Greek occupations marked the end of ancient Egypt as a major power in the region.
Key Dates
664 BCE: The Assyrian Empire invades Egypt
653 BCE: The Nubian Kingdom of Kush invades Upper Egypt
664 BCE: The Saite Dynasty emerges in Egypt
525 BCE: The Persian Empire invades Egypt
332 BCE: The Greek Empire invades Egypt
