Psamtik II

[3] Psamtik II led a foray into Nubia in 592 BC, marching as far south as the Third or even the Fourth Cataract of the Nile, according to a contemporary stela from Thebes (Karnak), which dates to Year 3 of this king's name and refers to a heavy defeat that was inflicted upon the kingdom of Kush.

The Egyptian army advanced to Pnubs (Kerma) and the capital city of Napata in a series of fierce battles, where they looted its temples and destroyed the royal Kushite statues.

An outcome of this campaign was the deliberate destruction of monuments belonging to the 25th Dynasty Kushite kings in Egypt "by hacking out their names and the emblems of royalty from their statues and reliefs.

"[6] Later, in 591 BC, during the fourth year of his reign, Psamtik II launched an expedition into Palestine "to foment a general Levantine revolt against the Babylonians" that involved, among others, Zedekiah of the Kingdom of Judah.

A significant Saite temple was likely built by Psamtik II and his son Apries at the village of El-Mahalla El-Kubra which lies equidistant from Sebennytos and Behbeit El-Hagar in the Lower Nile Delta.

"[11] Psamtik II was also responsible for founding the Temple-house at Hibis in El-Kharga Oasis for the triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu with significant installations for the cult of Osiris.

[14] The front of the temple house of Hibis featured: A massive sandstone gateway through an outer enclosure wall still stands almost 5 metres tall and was constructed during the Ptolemaic or Roman periods.

[16] Many inscriptions and decrees were carved on the gateway on a wide variety of topics such as taxation, inheritance, the court system and the rights of women, with the earliest text dating to 49 AD.

Statue of Psamtik II. Louvre Museum
Statue of Psamtik II. Louvre Museum
Psamtik II's victory stela from Kalabsha which records his campaign against Kush
The Temple of Hibis was founded by Psamtik II at Kharga Oasis .
Another view of the reconstructed Temple of Hibis at Kharga Oasis in December 2008.
Obelisk of Psamtik II, now called " Obelisk of Montecitorio ", used as a Roman sundial, the famous Horologium Augusti , in Rome . In the background is the Italian Chamber of Deputies building [ 13 ]