A confederation of Greek city-states and allies that achieved considerable prominence in the reign of PTOLEMY II PHILADELPHUS (r. 285–246 B.C.E.). This league impacted upon Egyptian TRADE practices until it became embroiled in a dispute with Rome, a rising power in the Mediterranean that began to assert its influence, around the second century.
Achaemenes (d. c. 460 B.C.E.) Prince of Persia slain by an Egyptian rebel
He was the son of DARIUS I (r. 521–486 B.C.E.). The prince was appointed satrap, or governor, of the Nile by his brother XERXES I (r. 486–466 B.C.E.), Darius I’s heir. In 481 B.C.E., Achaemenes led a military force composed of conscripted Egyptians amassed to conduct various military campaigns, including assaults on the Greeks. These units were defeated at the Battle of SALAMIS by the Greeks. Returning to Egypt, Achaemenes carried out the harsh ruling policies of Xerxes, enslaving Egypt as a Persian province with little value. Such a policy stemmed from Persian disdain for the Egyptian religious or philosophical heritage and a firm belief in the unique revelations concerning human affairs which had been bestowed upon the Persian people. The confiscation of temple wealth was carried out at least in one instance, and Xerxes did not endear himself to the conquered Egyptians by assuming ancient titles or roles in keeping with Nile traditions.
In 460 B.C.E., INAROS, a native Egyptian and a prince of HELIOPOLIS, started a full-scale insurrection. Inaros, listed in some records as a son of PSAMMETICHUS III (Psamtik) (r. 526–525 B.C.E.), set up an independent capital at MEMPHIS. Achaemenes led an army against Inaros, confronting him at Papremis, a Delta site. There the Persian prince died on the field. His death prompted the terrible punitive campaign conducted against Inaros by a veteran Persian general, MEGABYZUS. Queen Atossa,
Prince Achaemenes’ mother, demanded that Inaros be crucified, an act protested by General Megabyzus.
