VIIᵉ siècle av. J.-C. – VIᵉ siècle av. J.-C.
Egypt, Syria, and the Red Sea
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
Necho II was a Saite pharaoh who pursued Egyptian expansion in Syria and developed Egypt’s naval and canal infrastructure. He briefly controlled Judah and Phoenicia before suffering defeat at Carchemish against Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in 605 BC. His reign also involved warships in the Mediterranean and Red seas, a canal project linking the Nile and Red Sea, and an alleged Phoenician voyage around Africa.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
Necho II succeeded Psamtek I in 610 BC and initially intervened in the struggles surrounding the collapsed Assyrian monarchy. He later campaigned in Syria on his own behalf, achieving temporary control over Judah and Phoenicia. His expansion was halted in 605 BC when Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon decisively defeated him at Carchemish, after which the Syrian conquests were lost.
Despite the defeat, Necho was able to repel a Babylonian attack on Egypt in 601 BC. His reign illustrates the difficulty faced by Saite Egypt in projecting power beyond the Nile Valley while confronting the emerging Babylonian empire. The campaigns depended on substantial forces and formed part of a wider struggle for control of the Levant.
Necho strengthened Egypt as a naval power and maintained warships in both the Mediterranean and Red seas. Phoenicians and Greeks appear to have manned many of these vessels, continuing the dynasty’s reliance on foreign expertise and manpower. His maritime policy focused particularly on the Red Sea, where Egypt sought improved communications and access to wider commercial routes.
He undertook, and possibly completed, a canal between the Nile and the Red Sea along the Wadi Tumilat. Phoenicians in his service were also ordered to sail from the Red Sea around Africa and return through the Mediterranean. They were said to have completed the voyage in more than two years, although modern scholars cited in the passage questioned whether it actually occurred and no regular route followed.
VIIᵉ siècle av. J.-C. – VIᵉ siècle av. J.-C.
Egypt, Syria, and the Red Sea
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
Necho II was a Saite pharaoh who pursued Egyptian expansion in Syria and developed Egypt’s naval and canal infrastructure. He briefly controlled Judah and Phoenicia before suffering defeat at Carchemish against Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in 605 BC. His reign also involved warships in the Mediterranean and Red seas, a canal project linking the Nile and Red Sea, and an alleged Phoenician voyage around Africa.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
Necho II succeeded Psamtek I in 610 BC and initially intervened in the struggles surrounding the collapsed Assyrian monarchy. He later campaigned in Syria on his own behalf, achieving temporary control over Judah and Phoenicia. His expansion was halted in 605 BC when Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon decisively defeated him at Carchemish, after which the Syrian conquests were lost.
Despite the defeat, Necho was able to repel a Babylonian attack on Egypt in 601 BC. His reign illustrates the difficulty faced by Saite Egypt in projecting power beyond the Nile Valley while confronting the emerging Babylonian empire. The campaigns depended on substantial forces and formed part of a wider struggle for control of the Levant.
Necho strengthened Egypt as a naval power and maintained warships in both the Mediterranean and Red seas. Phoenicians and Greeks appear to have manned many of these vessels, continuing the dynasty’s reliance on foreign expertise and manpower. His maritime policy focused particularly on the Red Sea, where Egypt sought improved communications and access to wider commercial routes.
He undertook, and possibly completed, a canal between the Nile and the Red Sea along the Wadi Tumilat. Phoenicians in his service were also ordered to sail from the Red Sea around Africa and return through the Mediterranean. They were said to have completed the voyage in more than two years, although modern scholars cited in the passage questioned whether it actually occurred and no regular route followed.