Psammenitus, the son of Amasis, set up his camp at the mouth of the Nile, near a place called Pelusium. This area, known as the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, was an important entrance into Egypt from the east. Psammenitus chose this location because he expected an invasion by the Persian king Cambyses and wanted to stop the enemy before they could move deeper into the country The Sacred Nature of Oaths Among the Arabs.
Cambyses marched toward Egypt, but by the time he began his campaign, Amasis was no longer alive. Amasis had ruled Egypt for forty-four years, and during his long reign Egypt had enjoyed relative peace and stability. No major disaster had struck the land while he was king. When Amasis died, his body was carefully embalmed according to Egyptian custom and buried in a tomb that he had ordered to be built within a temple. After his death, the crown passed to his son, Psammenitus.
A Strange Sign in Thebes
Soon after Psammenitus became king, a strange and troubling sign appeared in Egypt. Rain fell in Egyptian Thebes, something that was almost unheard of. In Upper Egypt, rain was extremely rare and, according to the people of Thebes, had never happened before and never happened again. On this unusual occasion, light rain fell in small drops. Many Egyptians saw this event as a bad omen, suggesting that difficult times were ahead for the country.
The Persian Army Reaches Egypt
Meanwhile, the Persian army crossed the desert and entered Egyptian territory. After their long march, they set up their camp close to the Egyptian forces near Pelusium. Both sides prepared for a major battle that would decide the fate of Egypt. The atmosphere was tense, and soldiers on both sides knew that the coming fight would be fierce Ephesus Walking Tour.
Anger of the Greek and Carian Mercenaries
Among the Egyptian army were mercenaries from Greece and Caria. These soldiers had been hired by Psammenitus to strengthen his forces. They were filled with anger toward a man named Phanes, a Greek who had deserted Egypt and helped Cambyses by guiding the Persian army. To the mercenaries, Phanes was a traitor who had brought a foreign enemy into Egypt.
Seeking revenge, the mercenaries devised a cruel and shocking plan. Phanes had left his sons behind in Egypt. The mercenaries seized the sons and brought them into the camp, placing them where their father could see them from the Persian side.
A Horrifying Act Before the Battle
In full view of both armies, the mercenaries brought out a large bowl and placed it between the two camps. One by one, they led the sons of Phanes to the bowl and killed them over it, letting their blood fall inside. After the last son was killed, they poured water and wine into the bowl, mixing it with the blood. Each of the mercenaries then tasted from the bowl.
This terrible act was meant to bind the soldiers together and strengthen their resolve for battle. It also served as a final act of revenge against Phanes.
The Battle at Pelusium
After this grim ritual, the armies advanced and the battle began. The fighting was hard and lasted a long time. Many soldiers were killed on both sides, and neither army gained an easy advantage. At last, after suffering heavy losses, the Egyptian forces could no longer hold their position. They broke ranks, turned, and fled from the battlefield.
