Cambyses

• What were his 2 main conquests?

  Egypt and Africa
• Egypt - the campaign

  • Polycrates (leader of Samos) switched sides to Persia after Amasis' death and gave them a large navy.
  • Phanes (a greek mercenary)acted as a guide to Cambyses', useful as he was also Amasis' advisor.
  • The 2 sides met at Pelsium, a port at the Nile where the desert Arabs helped Cambyses with his victory
  • He besieged Memphis then the Egyptians surrendered
• Cambyses attempts to expand into Africa

  • Libya, Barca and Cyrene all submitted to Cambyses
  • he intended to conquer, the Carthaginians, Ammonians and the Ethiopians
  • He didn't attack Carthage because Phoenicians wouldn't fight them as they were Phoenician colonists
  • 50,000 men were killed and buried in a sandstorm in an expedition
  • He failed to conquer the Ethiopians as he didn't plan adequate supplies for his army
• Actions:

  Acted impulsively and arrogantly due to ignorance.

  Evidence from Herodotus:

  burnt Amasis' corpse, ex-pharaoh - 'sheer sacrilege'

  Stabbed the sacred Apis bull and killed priests at an Egyptian festival
• Buildings and Administration:

  Restored the Temple of Neith to show respect - source could be biased
• Treatment of subjects:

  • Naïve to culture
  • Impulsive
  • Lack of knowledge when it came to religion
• Egypt - Motives

  • Eliminate threat
  • Show skill and power
  • Win wealth and land
• Egypt - What Persia gained

  • Ports gave the Persians access to trade routes of the Mediterranean
  • Phoenicians were skilled sailors with a significant navy
• Death:

  • Cambyses had previously killed his brother after dreaming he would overthrow him. Patizeithes and Smerdis ( Cambyses' brother look alike) decide to take control of the empire, as they could pretend Smerdis had authority.
  • On his way back from Egypt to sort this mess out, Cambyses' sword stabbed him as he mounted his horse.
  • He eventually died from Gangrene.