Artaxerxes dealt harshly with Egypt, razing city walls, rifling temple treasuries, and removing sacred books. Persia acquired rich booty in its determination to prevent Egypt from further rebelling. After the murder of Artaxerxes III, in 338 bc, there was a brief obscure period during which a Nubian prince, Khabbash, seems to have gained control over Egypt, but Persian domination was reestablished in 335 bc under Darius III Codommanus. It was to last only three years.
The-Pyramids-of-Giza-Egypt-26th-25th-century-BCThe Pyramids of Giza, Egypt, 26th–25th century bc.[Credits : © Sylvain Grandadam—Stone/Getty Images]
Egyptian-hieratic-numeralsEgyptian hieratic numerals.[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
Illustration-from-an-Egyptian-Book-of-the-Dead-1275-BCIllustration from an Egyptian Book of …[Credits : © The British Museum/Heritage-Images]
The-Palermo-Stone-first-sideThe Palermo Stone, first side[Credits : Courtesy of the Regional Museum of Archaeology, Palermo]
The-Rosetta-StoneThe Rosetta Stone.[Credits : Courtesy of the trustees of the British Museum]
Howard-CarterHoward Carter.[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
Scientists-X-ray-a-3000-year-old-Egyptian-mummy-PoznanScientists X-ray a 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummy, Poznan Medical Academy, Poland.[Credits : Remigiusz Sikora—epa/Corbis]
Papyrus and other agricultural crops were vital to the development of Egyptian civilization.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
Depiction of ancient Egyptian gods as forms of nature.[Credits : Copyright © 2004 AIMS Multimedia (www.aimsmultimedia.com)]
Djoser’s step pyramid, Ṣaqqārah, Egypt, late 27th century bc.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
The Valley of the Kings, Thebes, Egypt, 16th–11th century bc.[Credits : Copyright © 2004 AIMS Multimedia (www.aimsmultimedia.com)]
Founded by Alexander the Great, Alexandria was destined to become one of the great cities of the …[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
Overview of the Alexandrian Museum, founded c. 280 bc, Alexandria, Egypt.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
Overview of the Library of Alexandria, Egypt, founded early 3rd century bc.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
The Pyramids at Giza are considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
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