1. First Persian Domination:
- In 525 BC, the Persian king Cambyses II conquered Egypt, marking the beginning of the first Persian rule.
- Egypt remained under Persian control for about 120 years, until the Egyptian revolt led by Amyrtaeus in 404 BC.
2. Second Persian Domination:
- In 343 BC, the Persian king Artaxerxes III reconquered Egypt, restoring Persian control.
- This second period of Persian rule lasted for about 10 years, until Alexander the Great's conquest in 332 BC.
3. Achaemenid Rule:
- During both periods of Persian rule, Egypt was administered as a satrapy (province) of the Achaemenid Empire.
- Satraps appointed by the Persian king governed the region and were responsible for collecting taxes and maintaining order.
4. Impact of Persian Rule:
- The Persian administration largely respected Egyptian culture and religion.
- Egyptian temples and religious practices were allowed to continue, and some pharaohs were even recognized by the Persians.
- However, Persian rule did lead to increased taxation, exploitation of resources, and occasional conflicts and uprisings by the Egyptians.
5. End of Persian Rule:
- Persian control over Egypt ended when Alexander the Great conquered the region in 332 BC.
- Alexander and his successors established the Hellenistic Ptolemaic Kingdom in Egypt, marking the beginning of a new era in Egyptian history.