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[[File: MET_PsamtekI.jpg|300px|thumbnail|left|Bust of Psamtek I in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York]]__NOTOC__Psamtek I (ruled 664-610 BC), often referred by his Greek name Psammetichus, is considered one of ancient Egypt’s greatest kings because he saved the civilization from centuries of cultural decline and foreign rule. Beginning in the middle of the Twentieth Dynasty, around 1150 BC, Egypt began a long yet steady decline where it first lost its imperial possessions and then was overcome by a series of Libyan invasions and migrations. Egypt eventually entered into what is termed the Third Intermediate Period (ca. 1095-664 BC), where the country was fragmented into several autonomous zones, many of which were ruled by Libyans or Egyptians of Libyan descent. The lowest point was when the Assyrians conquered and decimated Egypt in the seventh century. But out of the ashes of Assyrian dominance came Psamtek I, perhaps somewhat ironically because he was of Libyan descent.
Psamtek helped save Egypt by unifying the country once more and establishing a new politically stable dynasty, the Twenty-Sixth, in the Delta city of Sais. From Sais, Psamtek I consolidated his power through a number of different methods. Although he made Egypt independent from Assyria, he maintained diplomatically beneficially ties with the Near Eastern Empire. Psamtek I then modernized the Egyptian army, defeated a major Libyan rebellion in the Western Desert, and patronized two important religious cults that were vital for him to secure his power base outside of the Delta.
===Psamtek I and Egyptian Religious Cults===
[[File: PsamtekI.jpg|300px|thumbnail|left|Relief of Psamtek I Offering to the Gods]]
Perhaps the most important policies Psamtek I enacted were in regards to the maintenance and patronage of two ancient Egypt’s most important religious institutions in the Late Period – the Apis cult and the God’s Wife of Amun. Apis was the name of a living, sacred bull that the Egyptians believed was the living incarnation of Osiris, the god of the dead. The bull was provided with luxurious living quarters while it was alive and after it died it was mummified and interred with previous Apis bulls in a subterranean burial chamber known as the Serapeum. <ref> Shaw, Ian and Paul Nicholson. <refi>The Dictionary of Ancient Egypt.</i> (London: Harry N. Abrams, 1995), p. 36</ref> The cult probably dated back as far as the Second Dynasty, but it was not until the New Kingdom when the Serapeum began being used. Psamtek I patronized the cult and began construction of the “Great Burial Chamber” of the Serapeum, which would continue to be used for centuries by later dynasties. <ref> Gomaà, Farouk. <i>Chaemwese Sohn Ramses II und Hoherpriester von Memphis.</i> (Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz, 1973), p. 39</ref>
The other major religious institution that the Psamtek I patronized was known as the God’s Wife of Amun. As the name indicates, it was a female led organization that worshipped the god Amun and was based in his cult center of Thebes. There was one woman who held the title at a time and with it came a great amount of power and wealth as well as responsibilities. The office dates back to the early New Kingdom, but it was later politicized by the Nubians. The Nubian kings appointed women from the royal family to consolidate their power in the Thebes region. <ref> Ayad, Mariam F. <i>God’s Wife, God’s Servant: The God’s Wife of Amun (c. 740-525 BC).</i> (London: Routledge, 2009), p. 118</ref> Although the Nubians were the mortal enemies of his family, Psamtek I was politically astute enough to know a good political policy when he saw one. In his desire to strengthen his hold over Upper Egypt, particularly the important Thebes region and the Amun cult, he installed his daughter, Nitoqris, as the God’s Wife of Amun. He then memorialized the move in a decree that detailed her powers and how much wealth she would have. The Saite King Psamtek II (ruled 595-589 BC) followed suite by both installing his daughter, Ankhesneferibre, in the office and by publishing the choice in a decree. <ref>Ayad, p. 120</ref> By using the God’s Wife of Amun politically, Psamtek I was able to gain control over Thebes, ensuring that it never rebelled against him or his successors.
===Conclusion===
When Egypt’s New Kingdom collapsed around 1075 BC, it entered a period of decline and chaos that lasted for centuries. First Libyan rule, then Nubian and Assyrian rule marked this period, which finally ended when Psamtek I came to power in 664 BC and unified Egypt once more. Through his efforts to maintain important diplomatic ties, modernize the Egyptian military, and patronize important Egyptian religious institutions, Psamtek I was not only able to consolidate his power, but also to ensure that his dynasty would be fairly long and relatively stable. Because of his policies, Psamtek I saved Egypt from an abyss and became perhaps the most effective pharaoh of the Late Period.
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===References===
[[Category: Ancient History]] [[Category: Ancient Egyptian History]] [[Category: Late Period Egypt]] [[Category: Political History]]
