The Last Pharaoh – Nectanebo II
The history of Ancient Egypt is filled with great pharaohs, powerful rulers, and remarkable contributions to the world. But one of the most interesting pharaohs of all time is Nectanebo II, the last of the native pharaohs of Egypt, who reigned during the infamous period of the Thirty-First Dynasty (360–343 BCE).
Nectanebo, who was of a Roman descent, was initially a soldier and an astrologer. He was appointed as the commander of an Egyptian army in 349 BCE and rose to prominence very rapidly. He managed to defeat an invading Persian army which had built a strong foothold in Egypt and overthrew the unpopular previous Pharaoh, and eventually claimed the throne himself.
Unlike many other pharaohs, Nectanebo was not particularly interested in expanding his kingdom, or indulging in wealth and fortune. Instead, he put his attention towards bolstering the internal stability and strength of the kingdom. He initiated several construction projects such as the enlarging of major city walls, building statues and temples, and repairing other monuments.
Nectanebo II was also known as a man of learning and knowledge, and established a renowned Library at Alexandria which became an important center of scholarship and learning. He was also a strong supporter of literature, and commissioned authors and poets to write about the history, culture and religion of Egypt.
Nectanebo’s reign was ultimately quite brief, ending in 343 BCE as he was overthrown by a general of the Macedonian Army—a renowned conqueror by the name of Alexander the Great. After his overthrow, Nectanebo II vanished from the records of history, leaving only the memories of his remarkable achievements and the legacy of a great Pharaoh and ruler.
In spite of the brevity of his reign and his disappearance from the historical record, Nectanebo II remains one of Egypt’s most famous pharaohs. His legacy as a great ruler and patron of the arts and learning is still relevant today and his accomplishments are remembered by Egyptologists for centuries to come. He was truly a remarkable pharaoh who, in spite of all the disturbances of the period during which he ruled, contributed in a major way to the growth and prosperity of his kingdom and left a lasting impression on the world.
