Directory

525 BCE

Battle of Pelusium - Cambyses II of Persia conquers Egypt by painting cats and other animals sacred to the Egyptians on his soldiers' shields. The Egyptians run in fear of "harming" these animals. It is said that after the battle, Cambyses hurled cats in the faces of the Egyptians in scorn that they would sacrifice their country for the safety of their animals. After conquering Egypt, the Persian king Cambyses II sent ambassadors to Macrobia, bringing luxury gifts for the Macrobian king to entice his submission. The Macrobian king replied instead with a challenge for his Persian counterpart in the form of an unstrung bow: if the Persians could manage to string it, they would have the right to invade his country; but until then, they should thank the gods that the Macrobians never decided to invade their empire. The Twenty-sixth Dynasty ends, and the Twenty-seventh Dynasty begins.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • The Twenty-sixth Dynasty ends, and the Twenty-seventh Dynasty begins.source

Conflict & Security

  • Battle of Pelusium - Cambyses II of Persia conquers Egypt by painting cats and other animals sacred to the Egyptians on his soldiers' shields. The Egyptians run in fear of "harming" these animals. It is said that after the battle, Cambyses hurled cats in the faces of the Egyptians in scorn that they would sacrifice their country for the safety of their animals.source
  • After conquering Egypt, the Persian king Cambyses II sent ambassadors to Macrobia, bringing luxury gifts for the Macrobian king to entice his submission. The Macrobian king replied instead with a challenge for his Persian counterpart in the form of an unstrung bow: if the Persians could manage to string it, they would have the right to invade his country; but until then, they should thank the gods that the Macrobians never decided to invade their empire.source

Crime & Justice

  • Cambyses takes Psamtik III prisoner and treats him kindly until he tries to raise a revolt, at which point Psamtik is executed.source

Births

  • Aeschylus, author of Greek tragediessource

Deaths

  • Psammetichus III, Egyptian pharaohsource
  • Anaximenes of Miletus, Greek scientist and philosopher (b. 585 BC)source