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Definition of the 26th Dynasty
Definition: The 26th Dynasty of ancient Egypt consisted of a succession of kings from the same family who succeeded each other on the royal throne of Egypt by right of inheritance. The Kings of Egypt and pharaohs of the 26th Dynasty ruled during the Post Empire time period known in ancient Egyptian history as the Late Period. This era is also known as the Saite period reflecting that Sais was the capital of Egypt at the time.

Twenty-sixth Dynasty Dates: 664–525 B.C.E.

Ancient Egyptian Dynasties

Ancient Egytian Dynasties

Early Dynastic Period: 1st - 2nd Dynasties

The Old Kingdome 3rd - 6th Dynasties

1st Intermediate Period 7th - 10th Dynasties

The Middle Kingdom 11th - 12th Dynasties

2nd Intermediate Period 13th - 20th Dynasties

The New Kingdom 18th - 20th Dynasties

Post Empire 21st - 31st Dynasties

History of the 26th Dynasty and its Pharaohs - The Kings of Sais
Overview with interesting facts and information about the civilization and history of the 26th Dynasty Pharaohs and Kings of the Late Period in ancient Egyptian history.

Ancient Egyptian History - 26th Dynasty Fact Sheet

Fact 1 on 26th Dynasty: The history of this line of kings originally started in the 24th dynasty consisting of just 2 pharaohs, Tefnakht and Bakenranef,  who ruled from Sais in the western part of the Nile Delta in Lower Egypt.

Fact 2 on 26th Dynasty: The reign of Tefnakht and Bakenranef were ended by the Nubians who established the 25th Dynasty. Pharaoh Bakenranef met a particularly terrible end at the hands of the Nubians and died the death of a heretic by being burnt alive at the stake.

Fact 3 on 26th Dynasty: The son of Bakenranef was Necho, the hereditary Nomarch of Sais and was the Assyrian-backed king at Sais who established the 26th Dynasty as Necho I.

Fact 4 on 26th Dynasty: King Necho I was killed by the Nubians under King Tantamani. The Assyrians returned to Egypt in force, defeated the army of Tantamani and ended the Nubian control of Egypt

Fact 5 on 26th Dynasty: King Psamtik I (aka Psammetichus), the son of King Necho I, took control of Thebes and effectively unified all of Egypt. The city of his ancestors, Sais, was his capital.

Fact 6 on 26th Dynasty: King Psamtik I amassed an army of Egyptians and Greek mercenaries and ousted the Assyrians from Egypt. He formed an alliance with the king of Lydia (Modern Turkey), Ardysus II, to be strong enough to hold back a possible Assyrian attack. However, the Assyrians were pre-occupied with their own internal conflicts and under attack from the Babylonian empire - refer to map below.

Fact 7 on 26th Dynasty: Egypt flourished in the reign of King Psamtik I, no longer subject to the Nubians or Assyrians. Old Egyptian traditions were re-established, trade prospered and building projects were initiated.

Fact 8 on 26th Dynasty: King Psamtik I was succeeded by his son King Necho II. During the reign of Necho II the Babylonians continued their rise in power. Necho II joined anti-Babylonian coalitions with Assyria, Syria and Canaan (Israel-Palestine).

Fact 9 on 26th Dynasty: In an attempt to contain the advance of the Babylonian Empire, Necho II eventually fought the Babylonian army led by Nebuchadrezzar II at Carchemish. The combined Egyptian and Assyrian forces were destroyed.

Fact 10 on 26th Dynasty: Necho II returned to Egypt and initiated the construction of 'Necho's Canal' connecting the River Nile and the Red Sea, it was the earliest precursor of the Suez Canal. Necho II was followed by his son, King Psamtik II.

Fact 8 on 26th Dynasty: King Psamtik II was another warrior king and led a successful military expedition into Nubia but did not capitalize on his success and King Psamtik II returned to Egypt

Fact 9 on 26th Dynasty: King Apries followed his father to the throne and introduced a program in of intervention in Canaan, increasing trade and the use of Greek mercenaries. He later fought with Babylonians and his defeat led to their capture of Jerusalem.

Fact 10 on 26th Dynasty: His involvement in the defence of Libya led to a mutiny in the Egyptian army and the rise
of Amasis, his general. King Apries died in an attempt to regain his throne.

Fact 8 on 26th Dynasty: Amasis (aka Ahmose II) was a commoner but seized the throne and married a daughter of King Apries to legitimize his claim. He fostered diplomatic relations with the Greeks, concerned about the threat of invasion by the Persians who were increasing their power and their empire. The Greeks gained a foothold in Egypt by establishing the Greek trading post and colony of Naucratis.

Fact 9 on 26th Dynasty: Six months after the death of Amasis his son and successor King Psamtik III was confronted by a Persian invasion of his country led by King Cambyses of Persia, the son of Cyrus the Great. Amasis fought the Persians in the battle of Pelusium in the eastern Nile delta and lost 50,000 men in his defeat.

Fact 10 on 26th Dynasty: King Psamtik III and his remaining army were forced to withdraw to Memphis which was besieged by the Persians. The Persians captured the city after a long siege, and captured Psamtik and enslaved his daughter. The blood thirsty Cambyses then ordered the public execution of 2000 of the principal citizens of Memphis, including a son of the captured king who was cut to pieces.

Fact 10 on 26th Dynasty: King Psamtik III was taken prisoner and sent in chains to Susa, the Persian capital where he was eventually executed. The cause of death was by drinking a poisonous plant extract known as 'Bull's Blood' because of its color.

Fact 10 on 26th Dynasty: Following the conquest of the Egyptians Cambyses siezed Egypt. The Persians would rule Egypt for nearly 200 years.

Ancient Egyptian History - 26th Dynasty Fact Sheet

History of the 26th Dynasty Pharaohs
Overview with interesting facts and information about the Pharaohs and Kings of the Late Period in ancient Egyptian history.

26th Dynasty - Succession and History of the Saite Kings
The following 26th Dynasty list details the names of the Saite Kings and Pharaohs of the 26th Dynasty who reigned 664–525, together with a map of ancient Egypt.

Chronology of the Saite Kings

Name - Dates of Reign

King Tefnakht - 24th Dynasty

King Bakenranef - 24th Dynasty

Saite 26th Dynasty in Egypt

King Necho I

King Psamtik I (Psammetichus I)

King Necho II (Wehemibre)

King Psamtik II (Psammetichus II)

King Apries (Haaibre)

King Amasis aka Ahmose II

King Psamtik III (Psammetichus III)

Chronology of the Kings

26th Dynasty History
Discover fast, interesting fun facts about 26th Dynasty for kids with some amazing, cool and quick information about ancient Egypt and Egyptians. Ideal for children, homework, schools, teachers and kids of all ages! Find fascinating fun facts about the history and kings of this dynasty for kids and the history, culture and civilisation of the ancient Egyptians and ancient Egypt. Interesting, fun facts about 26th Dynasty for research, schools, students and kids of all ages.

Ancient Egyptian History

Egytian Time Periods

Prehistoric Egytpt 5000 - 3100BCE

Early Dynastic Period: 3100 - 2686 BCE

The Old Kingdom 2686 - 2181 BCE

1st Intermediate Period 2181 - 2134 BCE

The Middle Kingdom 2134 - 1782 BCE

2nd Interm ediate Period 1782 - 1550 BCE

The New Kingdom 1550 - 1069 BCE

3rd Interm ediate Period 1069 - 664 BCE

The Late Period 664 - 332 BCE

Ptolemaic Egypt 332 - 30 BCE

Roman & Byzantine Egypt 30 BCE - 641 CE

26th Dynasty
Learning about the ancient Egyptians and 26th Dynasty inspires everyone to visit historical sites and undertake Egypt Travel and Tours to experience the wonders of this magical land at first hand. Many people choose to experience a tour of Egypt on a Nile Cruise stopping at the famous destinations and sites of Egypt such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. The information and facts about 26th Dynasty will provide you with a great insight into Egypt and the legacy of the ancient Egyptians.

Ancient Egyptian History