This period covers the time from approximately 712 BC to 332 BC, and it was marked by foreign domination and political instability. Despite these challenges, the Late Period also saw important cultural and religious developments, as well as significant achievements in art and architecture.
The Late Period began with the Nubian rulers of the 25th Dynasty, who conquered Egypt and established a new dynasty based in the city of Napata. However, this period of Nubian rule was short-lived, and Egypt soon fell under the control of the Assyrians, followed by the Persians, Greeks, and finally, the Macedonians under Alexander the Great.
Despite this period of foreign domination, the Late Period was not without its achievements. The period saw important religious developments, including the emergence of the cult of Isis and the spread of the worship of Serapis, a syncretic deity combining elements of Greek and Egyptian religion. It was also a time of artistic innovation, with new styles of sculpture and architecture emerging, such as the monumental statues of the pharaohs and the temple complexes at Edfu and Philae.
In this section, we will explore the key events and developments of Egypt's Late Period, including the struggles for power among local rulers, the impact of foreign domination, and the cultural and artistic achievements of the time. We will examine the role of important figures such as Psamtik I and II, Cambyses II, Alexander the Great, and Cleopatra, as well as the social and economic conditions that characterized the period.