Psammetichus II

Psammetichus II on a wall from Sais (Kunsthistorisches Museum, Wien)

Psammetichus II: pharaoh of the Saite dynasty, ruler of Egypt from 595 to 589.

Egyptian names: Neferibra Psamtik II

Successor of: Necho II

Relatives:

father: Necho II
mother: Tahut
wife: ?

son: Apries
daughter: Ankhnes-Neferibre

Main deeds:

595: Succeeds his father
593: Attack on Kush (modern Sudan): his generals Amasis and Potasimto reach Kerma (near the third cataract); the Kushites transfer their capital from Napata to Meroe
Many representations of Kushite rulers on monuments in Egypt destroyed
589: Death; he is succeeded by his son Apries

Psammetichus' obelisk in Rome. Photo Marco Prins.

Buildings:

Continued building activity at the temple of Neith in Sais
Two obelisks at Heliopolis (one of them brought to Rome by the emperor Augustus, and used as a sun dial)
A temple at Karnak
Repairs at the temple of Khnum at Elephantine
Two obelisks at Abydos
A kiosk at Philae, the first monument on this island
The temple of Hibis in the Kharga oasis (finished by Darius I or Darius II)

Succeeded by: Apries

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