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How did Cambyses II take Memphis in 525 BCE?
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Memphis
Colossal statue of Ramses II, carved from limestone, that once adorned the great temple of Ptah in Memphis, Egypt.
In 525 BCE, the Persian king Cambyses II successfully conquered Egypt by first defeating the Egyptian forces, led by Psamtik III, at the Battle of Pelusium.123
Following this defeat, the Egyptian army and their mercenaries were forced to retreat to Memphis, the traditional capital of Egypt. Cambyses II then laid siege to the city and eventually captured it, which led to the collapse of Egyptian resistance and the seizure of Psamtik III.2314
The Persian invasion was facilitated by several strategic advantages, including military intelligence provided by a Greek general named Phanes and assistance from Arab tribes who provided the necessary water for the Persian army to cross the Sinai Desert.12