After their defeat on the battlefield, the Egyptian soldiers lost all order and discipline. As soon as they turned their backs on the enemy, they fled in great confusion. There was no organized retreat. Instead, fear spread quickly through the ranks, and the army ran toward Memphis, one of the most important cities in Egypt. When they reached the city, they shut themselves inside its strong walls, hoping to protect themselves from the advancing Persian forces Ephesus Day Trips.
Memphis was well fortified and had long been a center of power and defense. The Egyptians believed that by retreating there, they could resist the Persians and perhaps negotiate a safer outcome.
Cambyses Sends a Message of Surrender
Cambyses, the Persian king, did not immediately attack the city. Instead, he first tried to bring the conflict to an end through negotiation. He sent a ship from Mytilene up the Nile toward Memphis. On board was a Persian herald whose task was to deliver a message inviting the Egyptians to surrender peacefully.
This action shows that Cambyses hoped to avoid further bloodshed and bring Egypt under Persian control without destroying its major city. The ship sailed calmly toward Memphis, carrying the message of surrender.
The Violent Reaction of the Egyptians
However, the Egyptians reacted with extreme anger when they saw the ship approaching their city. Large crowds rushed out from the fortress and attacked the vessel. They destroyed the ship and seized the crew. In a brutal display of rage, they killed the men and tore their bodies apart. The remains were then carried back into the fortress A Remarkable Sight on the Battlefield.
This violent response made any peaceful solution impossible. By killing the herald and his crew, the Egyptians broke the rules of war, as messengers were traditionally protected. After this act, Cambyses had no choice but to attack the city.
The Siege and Fall of Memphis
Following the destruction of the ship and the murder of the crew, Memphis was placed under siege. The Persian army surrounded the city and cut off supplies. Over time, hunger and pressure weakened the defenders. Eventually, the city could no longer resist, and Memphis surrendered to Cambyses.
With the fall of Memphis, Persian control over Egypt was firmly established. The defeat marked a major turning point in Egyptian history.
Submission of the Libyans
News of Egypt’s fall spread quickly across neighboring regions. The Libyan tribes who lived along Egypt’s borders became afraid that they would suffer the same fate. Rather than fight, they chose to submit peacefully to Cambyses. They accepted Persian rule, agreed to pay tribute, and sent gifts to the king as a sign of loyalty.
Cambyses accepted the Libyan submission and received their gifts kindly. This peaceful surrender spared the Libyans from destruction and showed the power of Persian authority.
The Response of Cyrene and Barca
The people of Cyrene and Barca also feared Persian invasion. Like the Libyans, they decided to submit without resistance and sent gifts to Cambyses. However, their offering was much smaller. They sent only five hundred minae of silver.
Cambyses was not pleased with this amount. He considered it too little for a great king. In anger and contempt, he seized the silver and scattered it among his soldiers with his own hands. This act showed his displeasure and served as a warning that submission without proper respect would not be well received.
These events show both the power and the harshness of Cambyses. While he accepted peaceful surrender, he demanded respect and generous tribute. The fall of Memphis and the submission of neighboring peoples marked the complete conquest of Egypt by the Persian Empire.
