Battle of Pelusium
Pelusium (Tell el-Farama), eastern Nile Delta, Egypt
What happened
The Persian king Cambyses II fought the Egyptian pharaoh Psamtik III. Cambyses marched his army across the desert, with help from Arab allies, to invade Egypt. Near Pelusium, the fortress city that guarded Egypt's eastern border, the Egyptian army was quickly defeated. It fell back to Memphis, which was besieged and taken, and Psamtik III was captured.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Egypt became part of the Persian Empire. Cambyses and the Persian kings after him were recognised as pharaohs, forming Egypt's Twenty-seventh Dynasty.
What came next
Persian kings ruled Egypt as pharaohs. Pelusium remained a key frontier fortress and saw several more great battles over the centuries.
Did you know?
Pelusium was Egypt's eastern gateway, guarding the route from Syria and the sea, so many armies fought for it.
Timeline
- Before 525 BCECambyses takes Gaza after a long siege.
- 525 BCEThe Persians win at Pelusium.
- 525 BCEMemphis falls and Psamtik III is captured.
- After 525 BCEPersian kings rule as Egypt's Twenty-seventh Dynasty.