Period of ancient Egypt
Late Period Egypt
664–332 BCE
The Late Period covers the 26th to the 31st Dynasty. The Saite kings reunified Egypt and revived older artistic and religious traditions. Persian conquest in 525 BCE began the first of two Persian periods, separated by a last phase of native rule under the 28th to 30th Dynasties.
Egypt was closely tied to Greek traders and soldiers throughout. The period ended with Alexander the Great's arrival in 332 BCE.
Key themes
- The Saite revival
- Persian rule and revolt
- Greek mercenaries and trade
- The last native pharaohs, Nectanebo I and II
26th Dynasty of Egypt (Saite)
664–525 BCE
The 26th Dynasty, also called the Saite dynasty, reunited Egypt under Psamtik I after the Assyrian withdrawal.
27th Dynasty of Egypt (Persian)
525–404 BCE
The 27th Dynasty, or First Persian Period, was the rule of Achaemenid kings over Egypt as a satrapy of their empire.
28th Dynasty of Egypt
404–399 BCE
The 28th Dynasty is a single short reign, that of Amyrtaeus of Sais, who led the revolt that drove the Persians out of Egypt.
29th Dynasty of Egypt (Mendesian)
399–380 BCE
The 29th Dynasty came from Mendes in the Delta and began with Nepherites I, who overthrew Amyrtaeus.
30th Dynasty of Egypt (Sebennytos)
380–343 BCE
The 30th Dynasty was the last native Egyptian royal house.
31st Dynasty of Egypt (Persian)
343–332 BCE
The 31st Dynasty, or Second Persian Period, began when Artaxerxes III reconquered Egypt in 343 BCE.