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Kambis IIPersian king (530 - 522 BC), from the Achaemenid dynasty
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Biography of Cambyses II
Cambyses II, a Persian king from the Achaemenid dynasty, ruled from 530 to 522 BC. He was the eldest son of Cyrus the Great. Cambyses' reign is known from accounts of Greek historians and Egyptian inscriptions related to the Persian conquest of Egypt.
After the capture of Babylon, Cyrus appointed his son Cambyses as the king of Babylon. Cambyses was crowned on April 1, 538 BC, during the traditional ancient ritual on the New Year's holiday. However, Cambyses' rule in Babylon only lasted for eight months, as the dating on documents switched back to Cyrus in December. It is unclear why Cyrus appointed his son as king, and for such a short period. It is possible that Cyrus did this in preparation for future wars.
In his early years as king, Cambyses faced rebellions in various conquered lands that were not fully integrated into the Persian Empire. These regions remembered their former independence and rose up to regain their freedom following the death of Cyrus. It is also possible that Cambyses' younger brother, known as Bardia or Smerdis, played a role in these uprisings. According to Herodotus, Cyrus made Bardia a co-ruler with Cambyses before embarking on his fatal campaign against the Massagetae in July 530 BC.
Upon his father's death, Cambyses ascended to the Persian throne. However, his reign was marked by turmoil and unrest. He had to spend considerable effort suppressing rebellions to solidify his position as the ruler of the Persian Empire. In order to strengthen his authority, Cambyses allegedly killed his brother Bardia, eliminating a potential rival. The true motivations behind this act remain unclear.
Cambyses' rule symbolized the grandeur and power of Persia. He had witnessed and participated in the conquest of Asia, the overthrow of ancient thrones, and extraordinary upheavals brought about by Persian weapons. Being a young ruler, he had the opportunity to sit on the ancient and glorious throne of Babylon, the capital of the world.
Cambyses' policies reflected a shift towards a more autocratic style of government compared to his father, who still adhered to traditional patriarchal values. This change was particularly noted by the Greeks, who were sensitive to autocracy. According to Herodotus, Cambyses viewed the Ionians and Aeolians as slaves inherited through conquest. This sentiment was also felt by the Persians themselves, as they referred to Cambyses as a "despot," while his father was called "father."
Cambyses aimed to expand the Persian Empire and continue his father's legacy. The empire under Cyrus encompassed more territory than the Assyrian-Babylonian empire, including Lydia. However, Egypt, the last major ancient kingdom still maintaining its independence, remained unconquered and posed a threat due to its ties with the Greek world and intrigue in Asia. Cambyses saw the conquest of Egypt as an opportunity to boost his ego.
In his campaign against Egypt, Cambyses used both military and diplomatic tactics. He reached an agreement with Arab nomads who controlled the routes through the Sinai Desert, ensuring a water supply for his troops. The Persians did not have their own navy, but they maximized the use of Phoenician ships. Cambyses also formed an alliance with the tyrant of Samos, Polycrates, who sent 40 ships to support the Persian campaign. However, the fleet did not reach its destination, as Polycrates included people he wanted to get rid of, leading to a revolt and the overthrow of the tyrant. Cypriots also supported Cambyses with their ships. Greek mercenaries fought on both sides.
One of Cambyses' significant achievements was the capture of Pelusium, a fortress guarding the approaches to Egypt. The battle took place in May 525 BC and resulted in the decisive victory of the Persians. The Egyptian army, despite their desperate resistance, was defeated and retreated to Memphis, where they sought refuge. Cambyses then besieged Memphis, and after a long siege, the Egyptians surrendered in June 525 BC. Cambyses officially proclaimed himself pharaoh of Egypt and established the 27th Dynasty. The conquest of the rest of Egypt likely proceeded without major difficulties.
It is worth noting that some North African tribes voluntarily submitted to the Persians, fearing the fate of Egypt. Cambyses received tribute and gifts from neighboring Libyan tribes, Cyrene, and Barca, as they feared the fate of Egypt. The African Greeks sent a gift of 500 minas of silver, which Cambyses considered insignificant. However, he paid attention to the African Greeks by sending the widow of Amasis, an Egyptian queen, Ladic, back to her homeland of Cyrene.
Initially, Cambyses adopted a lenient policy towards Egypt, allowing Egyptians to continue their religious and private lives freely. He respected their customs and even participated in religious ceremonies in the temples of the Egyptian gods. Cambyses aimed to win over the Egyptians and continue the policies of the previous 26th Dynasty pharaohs. Legend spoke of his birth from the marriage of Cyrus and an Egyptian princess, Nitetis, daughter of Pharaoh Apries. This narrative suggested that the Persian royal family had as much claim to the Egyptian throne as the Saite pharaohs. Cambyses intended to present himself as the legitimate heir who restored his homeland from the hands of usurpers like Amasis and his son Psamtik III.
However, as time went on, Cambyses' attitude towards Egypt seemed to have changed for the worse. According to Strabo, he burned down the Serapeum and Memphis. According to Pliny, he spared Heliopolis due to its impressive obelisks. Diodorus Siculus mentioned the plundering of the Ramesseum and other acts of destruction. These accounts, however, can be seen as moralistic anecdotes regarding the transience of earthly things and the hardships endured. Other sources, such as the granite sarcophagus of the commander of archers, Yahmes (Amasis), suggest that Cambyses ordered the mutilation of the deceased's name, a posthumous punishment according to Egyptian beliefs.
Cambyses' reign in Egypt had a significant impact, marking the beginning of Persian domination in the region. His policies and conquests laid the foundation for the Persian Empire's expansion and its subsequent influence on Egypt's culture and society. Despite the conflicting accounts and legends surrounding his rule, Cambyses II remains an essential figure in ancient history.
