Egypt and Persia (Cont.)

     Now that the Egyptians were part of the Persian Empire, they were expected to contribute to their conquerer's military. The Egyptians helped build the bridge of boats that Xerxes used to move troops across the Hellespont and contributed 200 triremes to the Persian fleet for the invasion of Greece.

     Given the remoteness of the Persian capital, it was only a matter of time until the Egyptians began trying to throw off the Persian yoke. Eventually Dynasty 29 arose, but fighting among the Egyptians seems to have resulted in most of the Kings of this Dynasty being deposed. Eventually this Dynasty is deposed and a new family (Dynasty 30) arises to take the throne.

     The Persians were not going to let the Egyptians slip away from their control, however. in 374 B. C. Artaxerxes II attempted to regain control of Egypt. He failed.  Artaxerxes III, tried three times to re-conquer Egypt during the reign of Nectanebo II (of Dynasty 30). By 341 B.C. the Persian Empire was once again in control of Egypt. This time their rule would last until it was ended by the invasion of Alexander the Great in 332.