Nectanebo II was the last native ruler of Ancient Egypt, as well as the third and last pharaoh from the Thirtieth Dynasty of Egypt.
21 Facts About Nectanebo II
2.
Nectanebo II undertook more constructions and restorations than Nectanebo I, commencing in particular the enormous Egyptian temple of Isis.
3.
For several years, Nectanebo II was successful in keeping Egypt safe from the Achaemenid Empire.
4.
However, betrayed by his former servant, Mentor of Rhodes, Nectanebo II was ultimately defeated.
5.
Except for the small-scale greywacke statue in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which shows Nectanebo II standing before the image of Horus, no other annotated portraits of Nectanebo II are known.
6.
Nectanebo II accompanied his uncle Teos in that campaign and was in charge of the machimoi.
7.
Nectanebo II contended with an unnamed pretender to the throne from the town of Mendes, who proclaimed himself pharaoh.
8.
Agesilaus remained loyal to Nectanebo II, fearing to become a turncoat.
9.
Nectanebo II began his reign by officiating over the funeral of an Apis bull in Memphis.
10.
Nectanebo II dedicated a diorite naos to Anhur-Shu.
11.
Nectanebo II was responsible for the increasing popularity of the Buchis cult.
12.
Foreign affairs under Nectanebo II were thwarted by repeated Achaemenid attempts to reoccupy Egypt.
13.
Nectanebo II used the peace to build up a new army and employed Greek mercenaries, which was a common practice at the time.
14.
The Egyptian army, headed by Nectanebo II, consisted of 60,000 Egyptians, 20,000 Libu, and as many Greek mercenaries.
15.
Nectanebo II was ultimately defeated and, in the summer of 342 BC, Artaxerxes entered Memphis and installed a satrap.
16.
Nectanebo II fled to Upper Egypt and finally to Nubia, where he was granted asylum.
17.
Nectanebo II, specifically, built and improved temples across the country, and he donated extensively to the priesthoods of the plethora of sites which he donated to.
18.
Nectanebo II's name has been found at Heliopolis, Athribis, and Bubastis in the Nile Delta, among other places, but he built most extensively at Sebennytos, including the modern site of Behbeit El Hagar.
19.
Nectanebo II, disguising himself as Amun, slept with Olympias and from this event came Alexander.
20.
Nectanebo II calls in the best sculptor of the realm, Petesis, to finish the job, but he bungles his assignment when he gets drunk and chases a beautiful girl instead.
21.
The legend of Nectanebo II left a profound mark on European culture up to the Renaissance and beyond.