Lars Porsena vs Necho II

Lars Porsena led an Etruscan army to besiege Rome in an attempt to restore the exiled king Tarquinius Superbus. The siege was marked by legendary acts of Roman heroism, such as Horatius Cocles defending the bridge, but Porsena eventually lifted the siege after negotiations.

Lars Porsena made peace with the Roman Republic, agreeing to withdraw his forces in exchange for hostages and territory. The treaty ended the siege and recognized the Republic's independence, though Porsena failed to restore Tarquinius to the throne.

According to some accounts, Lars Porsena, impressed by Roman bravery, presented the Romans with his royal insignia, including the ivory chair and the fasces. These symbols were adopted by Roman magistrates and became enduring emblems of Roman authority.

Lars Porsena waged war against the Latin League, seeking to expand Etruscan influence. He defeated the Latins at the Battle of Aricia but was subsequently defeated by a coalition of Latin and Greek forces, ending his expansionist ambitions.

Necho II led an Egyptian army to Carchemish to support the Assyrians against the Babylonians. On the way, he defeated the Judean army of King Josiah at Megiddo. Josiah was killed in the battle. This victory allowed Necho to assert Egyptian control over the Levant for a short period.

Necho II's Egyptian forces were defeated by the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar II at Carchemish. The defeat ended Egyptian influence in the Levant and allowed Babylon to dominate the region. Necho retreated to Egypt and lost control of Syria and Palestine.

Necho II began construction of a canal connecting the Nile River to the Red Sea. The canal, which was later completed by Darius I, was approximately 85 kilometers long and allowed ships to travel between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. This project facilitated trade and military transport.

Necho II commissioned a Phoenician expedition to circumnavigate Africa. According to Herodotus, the expedition sailed from the Red Sea around the Cape of Good Hope and returned via the Pillars of Hercules (Gibraltar). This voyage, if historical, would have been the first circumnavigation of Africa.