Cambyses
Cambyses
- Pierre Briant
Extract
Cambyses (OP Kābujiya), eldest son of *Cyrus (1); acceded on the death of his father (530 bce). He completed his father's grand plan by conquering Egypt, where he was successful in promoting a policy of collaboration with the local élites. The Egyptian documents (Udjahorresnet inscription; Apis sarcophagi) contradict the information collected later by Herodotus on this point. *Babylonia is a good example in showing how Cambyses placed the great sanctuaries under tight control. The news of the revolt of his brother, Smerdis (OP Bardiya), forced Cambyses to leave Egypt in haste in 522; according to Hdt. 3.61–68, he died in Syria. The cult at his tomb in Persis was supplied from government storehouses during the reign of Darius I.
Subjects
- Near East
