The Thirtieth Dynasty of Egypt, also known as Dynasty XXX, the 30th Dynasty, or Dynasty 30, is classified as the fifth dynasty of the Late Period of ancient Egypt. It was founded after the overthrow of Nepherites II in 380 BC by Nectanebo I and lasted until the Achaemenid invasion led by Artaxerxes III in 343 BC. The Thirtieth Dynasty was the final native dynasty to rule ancient Egypt; after the deposition of Nectanebo II, Egypt fell under foreign domination, beginning with the Achaemenid Persians and later the Greeks under Alexander the Great. Despite its relatively short duration, the Thirtieth Dynasty is notable for its efforts to restore Egypt’s cultural heritage, strengthen its military, and resist foreign incursions.

In this article, we will explore the historical context of the Thirtieth Dynasty, provide detailed summaries of each of its rulers, and examine the political, cultural, and military developments that characterized this final native chapter in the history of ancient Egypt.

Historical Background of the Thirtieth Dynasty

The Twenty-Ninth Dynasty of Egypt, also known as the Mendesian Dynasty, ended with the overthrow of Nefaarud II by Nectanebo I in 380 BC. Nectanebo I, a prominent general, took advantage of the political instability in Egypt to seize power and establish the Thirtieth Dynasty. The new dynasty was centered in Sebennytos, a city in the Nile Delta, and its rulers sought to strengthen Egypt’s defenses, restore its cultural and religious traditions, and promote economic prosperity.

The Thirtieth Dynasty faced significant challenges, including the ongoing threat of Persian reconquest and internal power struggles. Despite these challenges, the rulers of the Thirtieth Dynasty made concerted efforts to maintain Egypt’s independence and revive the cultural and religious heritage of the ancient kingdom. The dynasty came to an end in 343 BC when Egypt was invaded by Artaxerxes III, the Achaemenid king of Persia, and Nectanebo II was forced to flee, leading to the reestablishment of Persian rule over Egypt.

The Rulers of the Thirtieth Dynasty

The Thirtieth Dynasty was ruled by three main pharaohs, each of whom played a role in shaping the history of this period. Below, we provide an overview of each ruler of the dynasty and their significant achievements.

1. Nectanebo I (380–362 BC)

Nectanebo I, the founder of the Thirtieth Dynasty, came to power after overthrowing Nepherites II, the last ruler of the Twenty-Ninth Dynasty. Nectanebo I was a military leader who took advantage of the political instability in Egypt to seize the throne and establish a new dynasty. His reign was marked by efforts to consolidate power, strengthen Egypt’s military, and promote cultural and religious revival.

One of Nectanebo I’s primary objectives was to defend Egypt from the threat of Persian invasion. To achieve this, he invested heavily in the military, fortifying Egypt’s borders and hiring Greek mercenaries to bolster his forces. Nectanebo I also formed alliances with other regional powers, including the Greek city-states, in an effort to counter the influence of the Achaemenid Empire.

In addition to his military efforts, Nectanebo I is known for his contributions to Egyptian architecture and his support for religious institutions. He undertook several building projects, including the construction and renovation of temples dedicated to the traditional gods of Egypt, such as Amun, Horus, and Isis. Nectanebo I’s emphasis on religious patronage helped to legitimize his rule and reinforce the connection between the pharaoh and the divine.

2. Teos (Djedhor) (362–360 BC)

Teos, also known as Djedhor, was the son of Nectanebo I and succeeded his father as pharaoh of the Thirtieth Dynasty. Teos’s reign was characterized by his ambitious military campaign against the Persian Empire, which sought to reclaim Egyptian territories in the Near East that had been lost during previous periods of foreign domination. To finance his military campaign, Teos imposed heavy taxes on the Egyptian population and confiscated temple treasures, which led to widespread discontent.

Teos’s military campaign initially appeared promising, as he received support from the Greek city-states, including Athens and Sparta, and hired Greek mercenaries to join his forces. However, the campaign ultimately faced significant challenges, and Teos’s unpopular policies led to a revolt within Egypt. His nephew, Nectanebo II, took advantage of the growing discontent and overthrew Teos, declaring himself the new pharaoh. Teos fled to Persia, where he sought refuge, and his reign came to an end after just two years.

3. Nectanebo II (360–343 BC)

Nectanebo II, the nephew of Teos, was the last native ruler of ancient Egypt. He came to power after overthrowing his uncle and sought to stabilize the country and defend it against the looming threat of Persian reconquest. Nectanebo II’s reign was marked by efforts to strengthen Egypt’s military, promote cultural revival, and maintain independence from foreign domination.

To defend Egypt from the Persian threat, Nectanebo II invested heavily in the military, fortifying the country’s borders and hiring Greek mercenaries to bolster his forces. He also formed alliances with other regional powers, including the Greek city-states, in an effort to counter the influence of the Achaemenid Empire. Despite his efforts, Nectanebo II faced a significant challenge in 343 BC when Artaxerxes III launched a massive military campaign to reconquer Egypt.

Nectanebo II’s forces were ultimately defeated by the Persian army, and he was forced to flee to Nubia, marking the end of the Thirtieth Dynasty and the beginning of a new period of foreign domination. Despite his defeat, Nectanebo II is remembered as a determined ruler who made significant efforts to preserve Egypt’s independence and cultural heritage. His reign represents the last chapter of native rule in ancient Egypt, as the country would subsequently fall under the control of foreign powers, including the Persians, Greeks, and Romans.

Political and Cultural Developments During the Thirtieth Dynasty

The Thirtieth Dynasty of Egypt was a period marked by political intrigue, efforts to restore stability, and ongoing struggles to resist foreign domination. Despite the challenges they faced, the rulers of the Thirtieth Dynasty worked to maintain Egypt’s independence, promote cultural revival, and strengthen the country’s military and economy.

Military Efforts to Resist Persian Invasion

One of the key challenges faced by the rulers of the Thirtieth Dynasty was the threat of Persian reconquest. The Achaemenid Empire, which had previously ruled Egypt during the Twenty-Seventh Dynasty, sought to regain control of the country, and the rulers of the Thirtieth Dynasty were determined to resist this threat. Nectanebo I, Teos, and Nectanebo II all invested heavily in the military, fortifying Egypt’s borders and hiring Greek mercenaries to bolster their forces.

Nectanebo II, in particular, made significant efforts to defend Egypt from the Persian threat. He formed alliances with the Greek city-states and worked to improve Egypt’s fortifications. Despite these efforts, the Persian army led by Artaxerxes III launched a successful invasion in 343 BC, which led to the fall of the Thirtieth Dynasty and the reestablishment of Persian rule over Egypt.

Cultural Revival and Religious Restoration

The Thirtieth Dynasty was also a period of cultural revival and religious restoration. The rulers of the dynasty sought to legitimize their rule by emphasizing their connection to the traditional gods of Egypt and by supporting the construction and restoration of temples. Nectanebo I and Nectanebo II both undertook building projects at important religious sites, including Karnak, Heliopolis, and Memphis, as part of their efforts to promote the worship of the traditional gods and reinforce the connection between the pharaoh and the divine.

Nectanebo I’s reign, in particular, was marked by a renewed emphasis on cultural and religious revival. He supported the priesthoods of the major deities, including Amun, Ra, and Isis, and sought to restore the grandeur of Egypt’s past by commissioning new temples and monuments. The emphasis on religious patronage helped to reinforce the authority of the rulers of the Thirtieth Dynasty and promote a sense of continuity with Egypt’s ancient past.

Economic Prosperity and Trade

The rulers of the Thirtieth Dynasty also sought to promote economic prosperity and expand trade networks. Egypt’s strategic location at the crossroads of Africa, Asia, and the Mediterranean made it an important center of trade, and the rulers of the Thirtieth Dynasty worked to capitalize on this advantage. Nectanebo I and Nectanebo II both invested in infrastructure projects, including the construction of canals and the improvement of irrigation systems, to support agriculture and trade.

The economic prosperity of the Thirtieth Dynasty was also supported by the influx of Greek mercenaries and traders, who played an important role in the country’s economy. The presence of Greek settlers in Egypt helped to foster cultural exchange and strengthen diplomatic relations with the Greek city-states, which were important allies in the struggle against Persian domination.

The Decline and Fall of the Thirtieth Dynasty

The decline of the Thirtieth Dynasty was closely linked to the ongoing threat of Persian reconquest and the challenges faced by the native rulers in maintaining control over a politically fragmented country. Despite their efforts to strengthen Egypt’s military and promote cultural revival, the rulers of the Thirtieth Dynasty were ultimately unable to resist the powerful Persian forces.

In 343 BC, Artaxerxes III launched a massive military campaign to reconquer Egypt. Despite the efforts of Nectanebo II to defend the country, the Persian army was able to overcome the Egyptian forces, and Nectanebo II was forced to flee to Nubia. The fall of the Thirtieth Dynasty marked the end of native rule in ancient Egypt and the beginning of a new period of foreign domination. Egypt would subsequently fall under the control of the Achaemenid Persians, followed by the Greeks under Alexander the Great, and eventually the Romans.

Conclusion

The Thirtieth Dynasty of Egypt, the last native dynasty to rule the ancient kingdom, was a significant chapter in the history of the Late Period. Founded by Nectanebo I, the dynasty was characterized by efforts to restore stability, promote cultural revival, and resist the threat of Persian reconquest. The rulers of the Thirtieth Dynasty, including Nectanebo I, Teos, and Nectanebo II, faced significant challenges as they worked to maintain Egypt’s independence and foster a sense of national unity.

Despite the political instability and the eventual fall of the dynasty to the Persian invasion led by Artaxerxes III, the Thirtieth Dynasty made important contributions to the cultural and religious life of Egypt. The emphasis on religious patronage, architectural achievements, and military efforts to resist foreign domination helped to reinforce the authority of the pharaoh and promote a sense of continuity with Egypt’s ancient past. The fall of the Thirtieth Dynasty marked the end of native rule in Egypt, but its legacy lives on as a symbol of resilience and determination in the face of foreign domination.