The Twenty-sixth Dynasty, also called the Saite dynasty after its capital Sais in the Nile Delta, was the last native dynasty to rule Egypt before the Persian conquest. Its founder, Psamtik I, first served the Assyrians, then expelled them and reunified the country. The period saw a cultural revival in which artists looked back to the styles of the Old Kingdom, and Greek mercenaries and merchants were welcomed, with the trading town of Naukratis founded in the Delta. Necho II tried to build a canal toward the Red Sea and, according to Herodotus, sent Phoenician sailors around Africa, and Ahmose II ruled during a time of prosperity. The dynasty ended when the Persian king Cambyses II defeated Psamtik III at Pelusium.
Before and after
- c. 700s BCEConstruction of Great Wall of China
- 8th century BCELibrary of Ashurbanipal
- from 700 BCE to 309 BCEArgead dynasty
- from 664 BCE to 332 BCELate Period of ancient Egypt
- from 664 BCE to 525 BCETwenty-sixth Dynasty of Egypt
- c. 660 BCEImperial House of Japan (traditional date)
- c. 657 BCEFounding of Byzantium (Istanbul)
- 642 BCEBirth of Nebuchadnezzar II
- 628 BCEBirth of Zoroaster
More in Civilizations & archaeology
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- 81 CEConstruction of Colosseum
- 11 May 330 CEConstantine dedicates Constantinople
The era
This moment belongs to the Ancient civilizations (3,200 BCE to 500 CE), writing, cities and empires. You can also browse everything in the 7th century BCE.