The Old and the Restless - The Egyptians and the Scythians in Herodotus' Histories by Robert J. Hagan

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Middle East 22 . Amasis, an extraordinary figure whom we will discuss soon, represents the last
gasp of the greatness Egypt once had. By the time Cambyses has finished his preparations for
war against Egypt, Amasis II has died, leaving his son Psammetichus III as pharaoh.
Psammetichus is inexperienced as a ruler, having been pharaoh for only six months at the
time of his defeat at Pelusium. Herodotus remarks of a rare rainfall in Thebes upon
Psammetichus' succession; this is clearly a bad portent for the king (3.10). The portent is fulfilled
when, after a lengthy battle, the Egyptians are defeated and "fled from the battlefield in disarray
and shut themselves up in Memphis" (3.13). Psammetichus' retreat to the capital spells doom for
the Egyptians, as the Persians are practiced in siege warfare, not with towers but with clever
stratagems. Herodotus has already demonstrated their adeptness at reducing cities in Book One,
when Cyrus drains the river running through Babylon, thereby gaining access to the city and
conquering the Babylonians (1.91). Memphis surrenders not long after being besieged, and
Egypt falls to the Persians.
With the defeat of Psammetichus, Herodotus illustrates the idea that the tactics and
strategies that the Egyptians have used for thousands of years to protect themselves are no longer
applicable. To hide behind the city walls is found not to be a viable option when faced with the
overwhelming numbers of the Persians, who are often able to outwit a besieged enemy.
Psammetichus' failure is a warning to the Greeks: if the Egyptians cannot withstand a
conventional assault on their cities, the less-powerful Greeks certainly must choose alternative
tactics. This threat is quickly heeded by the neighboring Libyans, who immediately accept
tributary status under the Persians after the Battle of Pelusium (3.13).
22 James, T.G.H., An Introduction to Ancient Egypt, 75.