Psamtik II

AncientEmperorLate Period Egypt-595 — -589

Nubian campaign, erased Kushite monuments.

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Quick Facts

Born

595 BCE

Died

589 BCE

Country

Late Period Egypt

Era

Ancient

Occupation

Emperor

Score Overview

Military (10%)45

Political (20%)26

Influence (20%)45

Legacy (20%)35

Leadership (15%)38

Strategy (15%)38

Total Score38.0

Psamtik II — Complete Timeline

595 BC

Accession to the thronePolitical Action◆ Major

Psamtik II became pharaoh of the 26th Dynasty, succeeding his father Necho II. He inherited a kingdom that had regained independence from Assyrian control and was experiencing a cultural renaissance.

Accession26th DynastySaite

Impact: national

593 BC

Nubian campaignWar◆ Major

Psamtik II launched a military expedition into Nubia, reaching as far as the Third Cataract. The campaign aimed to deter Kushite threats and assert Egyptian dominance, but did not result in permanent conquest.

Nubian CampaignKushiteMilitary

Impact: regional

Erasure of Kushite monumentsCultural◆ Major

Following the Nubian campaign, Psamtik II ordered the systematic erasure of the names and images of the 25th Dynasty Kushite pharaohs from monuments throughout Egypt. This damnatio memoriae aimed to legitimize his own dynasty.

Damnatio MemoriaeKushiteMonuments

Impact: nationaldestructive

589 BC

Death and successionPolitical Action

Psamtik II died after a reign of about 6 years, succeeded by his son Apries. His short reign was marked by military action in Nubia and cultural consolidation of Saite rule.

DeathSuccessionApries

Impact: national