Necho II had military successes until c. 605 B.C.E.,
when Prince NEBUCHADNEZZER, the heir to the throne of
Babylon, defeated the Egyptians at CARCHEMISH. Necho II
withdrew from his military interventions and built a
grain TRADEsystem with Greece to spur the Nile Valley
economy. He dug a canal, called the SWEET WATER CANAL,
at WADI TIMULATthrough the Pelusiac Nile, to link the
Nile to the Red Sea. He also built Per-Temu-Tjeju, mod-
ern Tell el-Mashkuta, on the canal. Necho II also con-
trolled all of the western OASES. Necho II was buried in a
tomb in SAISby his son and heir, PSAMMETICHUS II.
Nectanebo I (Kheperkaré)(d. 362 B.C.E.)Founder of
the Thirtieth Dynasty
He ruled from 380 B.C.E. until his death. Nectanebo I was
a military commander from SEBENNYTOS, the son of Gen-
eral Djehor. Named Nakhtnebef at birth, he served HAKO-
RIS(r. 393–380 B.C.E.) and NEPHRITES II(r. 380 B.C.E.) and
assumed the throne when the latter died. He also married
PTOLEMAIS (1), the daughter of the Greek General
KHABRIAS, and a woman named Audjashu, who was his
Great Wife.
Egypt was almost invaded by the Persian army dur-
ing Nectanebo I’s reign, led by PHARNABAZUS, the Persian
satrap of the region, but the Nile armies proved victori-
ous. Nectanebo I’s son, TEOS, led a campaign in Syria and
Palestine during this military action. Actually, the Per-
sians and their Greek mercenaries had the advantage in
this confrontation, but Pharnabazus and the Greek gen-
eral Iphikrates quarreled and lost the campaign in the
eastern Delta.
Nectanebo I built in KARNAKand PHILAE, revived the
sacred animal cults, and constructed or refurbished mon-
uments at EDFU, HERMOPOLIS MAGNA, and MENDES.A
STELAdiscovered in ABYDOSdepicts him offering to the
gods MA’AT and THOTH. He also built an avenue of
sphinxes at the temple of THEBES. A black granite stela
from NAUKRATISdocuments Nectanebo I’s decree granting
the temple of the goddess NEITHthe right to collect one-
tenth of all goods brought into the city from other coun-
tries. Nectanebo I also erected a black granite NAOS,a
small shrine, to the goddess Neith (1) in DAMANHURin
the Delta. Teos served as coruler for the last three years of
Nectanebo I’s reign and buried his father in Sebennytos.
Nectanebo II(Senedjemibre’setepenahur)(d. 343
B.C.E.)Third ruler of the Thirtieth Dynasty
He usurped the throne from his uncle TEOS, who was
considered unfit by the royal family, and reigned from
360 B.C.E. until his death. Nectanebo II, who was named
Nakhthoreb at birth, is believed to be the last native ruler
of Egypt. He was the grandson of NECTANEBO Iand a
nephew of Teos. When Teos was on a military campaign,
Nectanebo II’s father, Tjahepimu, declared him the right-
ful ruler. The Spartan ruler AGESILAUSaided Nectanebo II
in overthrowing Teos, who fled to the Persians.
ARTAXERXES III OCHUSattacked Egypt in 350 but was
repulsed by Nectanebo II’s armies. Nectanebo II then
turned his attention to the Nile Valley and refurbished
and rebuilt cities and temples. He rebuilt at BEHBEIT EL-
HAGAR, ERMENT, BUBASTIS, and SAQQARA. He also built a
gate at PHILAE. Nectanebo II was active in the bull cults of
his era. He buried the sacred animals at Erment and
rebuilt the BUCHEUM.
In 343, Artaxerxes III Ochus attacked Egypt again,
defeating Nectanebo II at Pelusium. He fled to NUBIAbut
then returned to SEBENNYTOS. When he died he was to be
buried at Sebennytos or at Rhakotis, the future city of
ALEXANDRIA. A tomb prepared in SAISwas never used, but
his black granite SARCOPHAGUSwas later taken to Alexan-
dria to be used as a public bath.
A legend developed about Nectanebo II after his
death. It was stated that he went to Macedonia and
attracted OLYMPIAS, the wife of King Philip, seducing her.
ALEXANDER III THE GREATwas supposedly the offspring of
that affair, thus making him eligible to rule Egypt as a
true pharaoh.Nefat This is a site south of THEBES, probably modern
el-Mu’allah. Located near TOD, Nefat served as a necropo-
lis area for the First Intermediate Period (2134–2040
B.C.E.) nomarchs of the region. The tombs of ANKHTIFY
and SOBEKHOTEPwere cut into the rocky cliffs at Nefat.Nefer (1) This was the hieroglyphic symbol for both
“good” and “beautiful,” in both the material and spiritual
sense.Nefer (2) This was an AMULETused by ancient Egyp-
tians to promote happiness and good fortune. Nefer
amulets were placed on the areas of the stomach and
windpipes of mummies in order to protect these organs.Neferefré (Ra’neferef)(d. 2416 B.C.E.) Ruler of the
Fifth Dynasty
The successor of SHEPSESKARÉ(Ini; 2426–2419 B.C.E.),
Neferefré reigned from 2419 B.C.E. until his death. He
was possibly the son of KAKAI(Neferirkaré) and Queen
KHENTAKAWES(2). He is also listed in some records as a
son of SAHURÉ. Neferefré built a sun temple at ABU
GHUROBand sent an expedition to the SINAI. His unfin-
ished pyramid at ABUSIRcontained a cache of papyri and
plaques. Wooden boats, statues of prisoners, and sculp-
tures were also uncovered there. The papyri discovered
dealt with cultic rituals and the personnel serving the
pyramid.Neferhent (1)(fl. 19th century B.C.E.) Royal woman of
the Twelfth Dynasty
She was a consort of SENWOSRET II(r. 1897–1878 B.C.E.).
Her tomb in el-LAHUNcontained two MACEHEADS, fash-266 Nectanebo I