Nabopolasser, the Mede, at Ashdod on the coast as well.
When the Scythians threatened Egypt, Psammetichus I
sent tribute and escaped their assaults.
He ruled from Sais and MEMPHISand declared the
goddess NEITH(1) as patroness of the dynasty. Egypt
prospered under his leadership, as he restored the econ-
omy, trade, and the traditions of the past. When he died,
he was buried in the temple of Neith at Sais.
See also PEDIESE.
Psammetichus II (Neferibré, Psamtik)(d. 589 B.C.E.)
Fourth ruler of the Twenty-sixth Dynasty
He reigned from 595 B.C.E. until his death. He was the
son of NECHO IIand Queen MEKHTEMWESKHET(3). Mili-
tarily active, Psammetichus II conducted a major cam-
paign in NUBIA(modern Sudan) in his third regnal year.
His army was composed of Greek mercenaries, and he
went as far south as Napata during his campaigns. This
war was depicted on a wall of KARNAKto commemorate
the campaigns. His Greek soldiers also left inscriptions at
ABU SIMBEL.
A granite statue of Psammetichus II was erected at
DAMANHURin the Delta in a temple dedicated to HORUS.
He also went to southern Palestine to encourage the vari-
ous city-states of the area to band together and to fight
against the rising power of the Babylonians.
Psammetichus II’s consort was QUEEN TAKHAT (3),
who was the mother of his son, APRIES, and his daughter,
ANKHESNEFERIBRÉ. This daughter was sent to Thebes to be
adopted as a GOD’S WIFE OF AMUNby NITOCRIS(2). When
Psammetichus II died, he was buried in SAIS.
Psammetichus III (Ankhka-en-ré, Psamtik)(d. c.
525 B.C.E.) Last ruler of the Twenty-sixth Dynasty
He reigned only from 526 to 525 B.C.E. Within a year of
his succession to the throne, Psammetichus III faced
CAMBYSES(r. 525–522 B.C.E.) and the Persian army. At
PELUSIUM, the Egyptians fought bravely but were forced
to retreat. Psammetichus III fled, intent on raising an
army. He was caught and taken in chains to Susa, the Per-
sian capital at the time, where he died. Psammetichus III
was allowed to live in comparative freedom in his first
days in the Persian capital but then was suspected of
treachery and executed.
Psammetichus (4) (Usere’setepenptah)(fl. 393 B.C.E.)
Usurper of the throne of the Twenty-ninth Dynasty
He ruled only one year, 393 B.C.E. Setting aside the desig-
nated heir when NEPHRITES Idied, he carried out his pre-
decessor’s policies. Psammetichus built in KARNAKand
AKHMINbefore being deposed by HAKORIS.
Psamtik(fl. sixth century B.C.E.)Official of the Twenty-
sixth Dynasty
Psamtik served AMASIS(r. 570–526 B.C.E.) as chief steward.
His tomb in SAQQARAcontained a beautifully carved statue
depicting him being protected by the goddess HATHORin
the form of a cow, a traditional THEOPHANYfor this deity.Psusennes I (’Akheperre’setepenamun)(d. 992 B.C.E.)
Ruler of the Twenty-first Dynasty
He reigned from 1040 B.C.E. until his death. Psusennes I
was the son of PINUDJEM Iand Queen HENUTTAWY, and his
name meant “the Star Appearing in the City.” Psusennes I
became the ruler in TANISand refurbished the city, adding
a tenemos wall and a sanctuary of AMUN.
His queens were MUTNODJMET (2), WIAY, and
TA’APENES. His sons were AMENEMOPEand Prince ANKHE-
FENMUT, who appears to have been disgraced in some
unknown fashion. Psusennes I’s daughter ISTEMKHEBE(2)
was given in marriage to MENKHEPERRESENB(2), the high
priest of Amun at Thebes.
This ruler also fostered a cult of MUTand KHONSUand
erected a temple for the goddess Mut. Psusennes I ruled
for 48 years and took Amenemope as his coregent. During
his reign the Scythians stood poised to invade Egypt, and
Psusennes offered a tribute and saved the nation.
When Psusennes died he was buried at TANIS, and his
mummified remains, badly decomposed, evidence his
advanced age. He had bad teeth and arthritis and was
possibly crippled in his last years. The mummy of
Psusennes I was discovered in Tanis, painted red, and his
exquisite silver and gold (electrum) coffin was recovered.
This magnificent piece was apparently made for MEREN-
PTAHin the Ramessid Period. A pink granite sarcophagus
held the remains, and Psusennes I’s body was laid to rest
with a mask of gold. His tomb also contained burial
chambers for Queen Mutnodjmet, Prince Ankhefenmut
(who had been removed from the succession), and Gen-
eral Wendjeba-en-Djed, a remarkable warrior who had
served him well. Amenenope, the successor, was also
buried in the tomb, as was SHOSHENQ III, who was
interred there by OSORKON I, about a century later.Psusennes II (Titkhepure’setepenré)(d. 945 B.C.E.)
Seventh ruler of the Twenty-first Dynasty, reigning in Tanis
He ruled from 959 B.C.E. until his death. The son of the
high priest PINUDJEM(2), Psusennes rescued royal graves
and mummies while in Thebes and continued supervis-
ing reburial operations from TANIS. His daughter became
the wife of the Libyan military leader who succeeded
Psusennes II as SHOSHENQ I. Psusennes II was buried in
Tanis.Ptah The god of ancient Egypt in MEMPHIS, called Ptah-
Sokar in a double form and Ptah-Sokar-Osiris in the tri-
une style, Ptah dates to the earliest dynastic periods of
Egypt and perhaps earlier. A sophisticated theology made
Ptah somewhat obscure to the average Egyptian. The312 Psammetichus II