Cambyses

TOPIC INFORMATION SOURCES

Additions to Empire

The conquest of Egypt: - Cambyses started his campaign after long military and diplomatic preparations that left Egypt completely isolated. - Cambyses required both sea and land forces. The Phoenician fleet helped him in the sea, as well as Polycrates of Samos and the Cyprians. - Before leading his troops into the harsh country, Cambyses hired camel trains from an Arab king to carry water supply to the troops in the desert which shows military stratagem. - Cambyses army reached the town of Pelusium without any major problems. - Phanes, the commander of the Greek mercenaries, defected to Cambyses and gave him vital information. - The sole great battle occurred in 525 BCE, with both sides suffering from heavy losses. The Persians won the battle, and the Egyptians fled in disorder to Memphis. - The Persians pursued them to Memphis, both over land and water, without meeting any resistance. The commander of the

Herodotus the method he devised of helping the Egyptian army was to fill camel skins with water, load them on to all his live camels, and so convey them to the desert M.A. Dandamaev and showed them how to bypass the fortifications which lay along the route of the Persian army

Seal of Cambyses The king of Upper and Lower Egypt,

Egyptian fleet, Udjahorresne, surrendered, and Memphis was besieged by the Persians. The Persians captured Psammenitus III, and Cambyses was made Pharaoh of Egypt. Includes the people of Media, Assyria, Syria, Mesopotamia, Babylon, Cappadocia, Armenia, Parthia, Drangiana, Sogdia, Margiana, Bactria and Lydia. Also included the Ionian Greeks and the Hebrews. The Egyptians were also included following his conquest, as well as Libya, Cyprus and the Greek cities of Barca and Cyrene, who offered tribute. As ruler of Egypt, Cambyses implemented policies that showed wisdom and tolerance. Allowed temples of Sais and Memphis to retain all their privileges. Egyptians were free to worship as they liked. Implemented taxes on the temples. Cambyses followed in his fathers footsteps and implemented the satrap system within Egypt. He appointed a Persian (Aryandes) as satrap, and did not greatly alter the Egyptian system of government. Under Cambyses, Udjahorresne retained all state roles he had held

Cambyses

Subject Peoples

P. Briant The Libyans, soon followed by the Greek cities of Cyrene and Barca, sent gifts to Cambyses as tokens of surrender; as proof of good will. J.M. Cook Cambyses brought things under his control and did his utmost to conform to Egyptian traditions as his father had done with Babylon.

Religious Policy

Administration -

M.A. Dandamaev Udjahorresne not only kept all his state functionsbut he was

under the two previous Pharaohs.

also appointed to other positions.

Building Program

Images of the King

Economy

Cambyses did not embark on any major building programs during his reign, nor did he leave any proclamations or monuments advertising his greatness. Cambyses can be seen featured in Egyptian royal costume, kneeling before the Apis bull on a limestone stela next to the sarcophagus of the Apis bull. Unlike his father or successors, Cambyses did not promote his image, and rather, only assumed the title King of Lands. After the conquest of Egypt, no major economic disturbances occurred. Implemented heavy taxes on the temples for income to the Persian government.

M.A Dandamaev Legal and administrative texts from the time of Cambyses attest to the fact that the first years of Persian rule did not inflict any significant damage to the economic life of the country M.A. Dandamaev the heavy royal taxes which had to be paid in silver and natural products