Who Was the Last Egyptian Pharaoh?
The ancient civilization of Egypt is renowned for its rich heritage and groundbreaking architectural accomplishments. One aspect that makes ancient Egyptian history so interesting is its pharaohs. Rulers of Ancient Egypt, pharaohs are some of the most recognizable figures of the era. Throughout Egyptian history, there have been thirty dynasties with over 150 official pharaohs. But who was the last pharaoh of Egypt?
The Last Egyptian Pharaoh of the 30th Dynasty
The last pharaoh of the 30th Dynasty was Nectanebo II, who served from 360-343 BCE. Nectanebo II was born in 380 BCE, and descended from the priests of the Memphite Triad. His claim to the throne was secured in 360 BCE with the abdication of Teos I.
Nectanebo II’s Reign
Nectanebo II was a shrewd leader and his reign of 17 years is largely considered one of the most successful of the 30th Dynasty. He inherited a divided and weakened Egypt, yet attempted to reunite the country. A military leader, Nectanebo II successful occupied the island of Cyprus and expelled a garrison of Persian forces.
Domestic improvements were also made during his reign. He restored the House of Life at the Temple of Ptah in Memphis, built the canal between the Nile and the Red Sea, and made great strides in the advancement of literature and mathematics in the country.
Unfortunately, his reign was marred by the attempts of Artaxerxes III of Persia. Artaxerxes III declared war on Nectanebo II in 343 BCE and would eventually win with Nectanebo II fleeing the country.
The Last Egyptian Pharaoh of the Ptolemaic Dynasty
When Nectanebo II went into exile in 343 BCE, the Ptolemies, a Greek dynasty of Pharaohs, came into the picture. The final pharaoh of this dynasty was Cleopatra VII. She lived from 69–30 BCE and is one of the most famous Egyptian pharaohs of all time.
Cleopatra VII’s Reign
Cleopatra VII inherited the throne as a joint ruler in 51 BCE when she was only 17 years old. She then ruled with her two brothers and later, her son.
Cleopatra VII was well known for her shrewdness in politics and her intellect. This was illustrated by her proficiency in 9 languages and her command of military strategy.
Domestically, Cleopatra VII was instrumental in restoring centers of learning and made Egyptian culture available to the world with the construction of the Library of Alexandria.
Her reign was also surrounded by alliances with several powerful rulers. In 48 BCE, she aligned with Julius Caesar, while in 41 BCE, she formed an alliance with Mark Antony. Both of these alliances were essential in securing the Ptolemaic Dynasty’s power at the time.
The Fall of the Ptolemaic Dynasty
The reign of the Ptolemaic dynasty ended with the fall of Cleopatra VII in 30 BCE. After forming an alliance with Mark Antony, the two were defeated at the Battle of Actium.
Cleopatra VII and Mark Antony both committed suicide shortly thereafter. With their deaths, the Ptolemaic line was wiped out, and the country of Egypt was annexed by the Roman Republic.
Throughout the history of Ancient Egypt, there have been over 150 official pharaohs. Of these, the last Pharaoh of the 30th Dynasty was Nectanebo II and the last Pharaoh of the Ptolemaic Dynasty was Cleopatra VII. Nectanebo II was a military leader who successfully occupied Cyprus and Cleopatra VII was a shrewd political leader and a great facilitator of culture and education in the country. The Ptolemaic Dynasty came to an end with the battle of Actium and the death of Cleopatra VII in 30 BCE.
