Pharaoh Necho II: Life, Reign and Major Accomplishments
Pharaoh Necho II, who reigned from 610 to 595 BC, was a significant figure in the late period of ancient Egypt’s history. As a ruler of the 26th Dynasty, his tenure was marked by ambitious projects, military campaigns, and attempts to restore Egypt’s influence in the Near East. His efforts reflect a complex interplay of ambition, innovation, and the geopolitical realities of his time.
Image: Statue of Pharaoh Necho II at the Brooklyn Museum in New York City
Lineage and Early Life
Necho II was born into royalty as the son of Psammetichus I (Psamtik I), the founder of the 26th Dynasty, and his Great Royal Wife, Mehtenweskhet. His royal name, or prenomen, was Wahem-Ib-Re, which translates to “Carrying out the Heart (Wish) of Re.” This name symbolically connected him to the sun god Re, underscoring his divine right to rule and the traditional association of pharaohs with deities in Egyptian culture.
Ascending to the throne around 610 BC, Necho II inherited a kingdom facing significant external threats. The Cimmerians and Scythians, nomadic tribes from the north, had been ravaging regions west of the Euphrates River. These incursions destabilized the area and contributed to the weakening of the Assyrian Empire.
The Assyrians, once a dominant force in the Near East, were reduced to a remnant centered around the city of Harran under the leadership of Ashur-uballit II. Recognizing the strategic importance of supporting the Assyrians to counter the rising power of Babylon, Necho II took immediate action.
Military Campaigns by Necho II
First Campaign
In the spring of 609 BC, Necho II personally led a substantial army to assist the beleaguered Assyrians. Understanding that the fall of Assyria would leave a power vacuum potentially filled by the Babylonians, which could threaten Egypt’s own security, he saw the necessity of intervention. Necho’s forces took the coastal route known as Via Maris into Syria, with his Mediterranean fleet providing logistical support along the shoreline.
As Necho advanced through Philistia and the plains of Sharon, he encountered the Judean king Josiah at Megiddo. The biblical account in 2 Kings 23 describes how Josiah opposed Necho’s passage, leading to a confrontation. Necho engaged Josiah in battle, resulting in the Judean king’s death. This event had significant repercussions for Judah, leading to political instability and eventually contributing to its own downfall.
Herodotus, the Greek historian, provides additional insights into Necho’s campaign. He mentions that Necho fought a pitched battle at Magdolos—likely corresponding to Megiddo—against the Syrians, defeated them, and subsequently captured Cadytis, thought to be Kadesh, a significant city in Syria. Following his victories, Necho dedicated the garments he wore during battle to Apollo at the sanctuary of Branchidae in Miletus, indicating his appreciation for Greek culture and possibly seeking favor with Greek deities.
Continuing his military efforts, Necho captured Kadesh on the Orontes River and joined forces with Ashur-uballit II. Together, they crossed the Euphrates River, making Necho the first Egyptian pharaoh since Thutmose III to do so during a military campaign. Despite their efforts, they failed to capture Harran. The siege was unsuccessful, and they were forced to retreat to northern Syria. This setback was significant; with the failure to secure Harran, Ashur-uballit II disappeared from historical records, marking the end of the Assyrian Empire.
On his return journey to Egypt, Necho discovered that the people of Judah had appointed Jehoahaz as their new king following Josiah’s death. Viewing this as a challenge to his influence, Necho deposed Jehoahaz, replacing him with Jehoiakim, who was more amenable to Egyptian interests. He took Jehoahaz back to Egypt as a captive, where he remained until his death. These actions extended Egypt’s influence over Judah and demonstrated Necho’s willingness to intervene directly in the political affairs of neighboring states.
Second Campaign
The geopolitical landscape continued to evolve rapidly. In 605 BC, Necho II embarked on another military campaign, this time facing the rising power of the Neo-Babylonian Empire under King Nabopolassar and his son Nebuchadnezzar II. Earlier, in 609 BC, Nabopolassar had captured Kumukh, effectively cutting off the Egyptian army stationed at Carchemish. In response, Necho retook Kumukh after a four-month siege and executed the Babylonian garrison, demonstrating his resolve to maintain Egypt’s foothold in the region.
Nabopolassar assembled another army at Qurumati on the Euphrates River. However, due to his failing health, he returned to Babylon in 605 BC, leaving military command to Nebuchadnezzar II. Sensing an opportunity, the Egyptians attacked the leaderless Babylonian forces in 606 BC, causing them to retreat. This momentary success was short-lived. Nebuchadnezzar quickly took charge and decisively defeated the Egyptians at the Battle of Carchemish in 605 BC. He pursued the fleeing Egyptian forces as far as Hamath, solidifying Babylonian dominance in the region.
This defeat was a turning point for Necho II. His aspirations to restore Egypt’s dominance in the Near East, reminiscent of its power during the New Kingdom period, were effectively destroyed. Nebuchadnezzar went on to conquer territories previously under Egyptian control, extending from the Euphrates to the Brook of Egypt, including Judah. Although Nebuchadnezzar spent years consolidating his new territories through continuous campaigns, Necho was unable to reclaim his lost lands.
Further attempts to reassert influence were met with limited success. When Ashkelon rebelled against Babylon, Egypt failed to provide assistance, signaling a waning ability to project power. Necho’s forces barely managed to repel a Babylonian attack on Egypt’s eastern border in 601 BC. Despite successfully capturing Gaza during the pursuit of the Babylonians, these efforts did little to reverse the strategic losses Egypt had suffered.
Image: A depiction of the Battle of Carchemish.
Ambitious Projects
Amidst his military endeavors, Necho II undertook several significant construction projects that reflected his vision for Egypt’s future. One of his most ambitious projects was the initiation of a canal intended to link the Pelusiac branch of the Nile River to the Red Sea. This endeavor was an early precursor to the modern Suez Canal. The canal aimed to facilitate trade between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean, enhancing Egypt’s position as a commercial hub and enabling more efficient movement of goods and military vessels.
In connection with this project, Necho founded the city of Per-Temu Tjeku, meaning “The House of Atum of Tjeku.” Located at what is now Tell el-Maskhuta, about 15 km west of Ismailia, the city was strategically positioned to support the canal’s construction and operation. Although the canal was not completed during his reign, the undertaking demonstrated Necho’s forward-thinking approach to infrastructure and trade.
In addition to infrastructural projects, Necho revolutionized Egypt’s naval capabilities. Recognizing the importance of naval power in securing trade routes and projecting military strength, he established a navy by recruiting displaced Ionian Greeks. This was a remarkable move given the traditional Egyptian aversion to the sea; Egyptians had long harbored a fear and disdain for maritime activities. Necho’s recruitment of experienced Greek sailors and shipbuilders was a pragmatic decision to overcome this cultural limitation.
He constructed warships, possibly including triremes—a type of galley with three rows of oars—that operated along both the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts. This naval expansion was intended to strengthen Egypt’s military reach, protect its burgeoning trade networks, and counter maritime threats. By integrating foreign expertise, Necho enhanced Egypt’s naval technology and capabilities, setting a precedent for future interactions with other cultures.
Phoenician Expedition
One of the most extraordinary undertakings attributed to Necho II is the commissioning of a Phoenician expedition to circumnavigate Africa. Between 610 and 594 BC, Necho reportedly ordered Phoenician sailors, renowned for their seafaring skills, to embark on an unprecedented voyage. Setting sail from the Red Sea, the expedition is said to have navigated southward along the eastern coast of Africa, rounded the southern tip, and returned to Egypt via the Mediterranean Sea through the Strait of Gibraltar. According to Herodotus, this journey took three years.
Herodotus relays a remarkable detail from the sailors’ account: as they sailed west around Africa, they observed the sun on their right-hand side, meaning to the north of them. This observation is significant because it suggests they had crossed into the southern hemisphere, where the sun appears in the northern part of the sky—a fact not widely known in Europe at the time. While some ancient scholars, like Pliny the Elder, mentioned similar voyages, others such as Strabo, Polybius, and Ptolemy doubted the account. Their skepticism stemmed partly from the prevailing belief that Africa was not entirely surrounded by ocean and was connected to Asia in the south.
Modern historians are divided on the credibility of this expedition. Some argue that an Egyptian pharaoh commissioning such a voyage is plausible, given Necho’s interest in expanding trade routes and exploring new territories. The Phoenicians’ advanced maritime knowledge and shipbuilding skills could have made such a journey feasible. Others contend that the logistical challenges and the extent of maritime technology at the time make the story unlikely. Regardless, if the account is true, it would represent one of the earliest known circumnavigations of Africa, predating European explorations by nearly two millennia and highlighting Necho’s ambition and vision.
Death and Succession
Necho II died in 595 BC, marking the end of a reign characterized by both grand ambitions and significant challenges. He was succeeded by his son, Psamtik II. Interestingly, Psamtik II may have sought to distance himself from his father’s legacy. There are indications that he attempted to remove Necho’s name from monuments—a practice known as damnatio memoriae—though some scholars question the extent and motivation behind this action due to fragmentary and contradictory evidence. This possible erasure suggests internal political dynamics and differing priorities between father and son.
Necho II’s successor and son, Psammetichus II (also known as Psamtik II), may have removed Necho’s name from monuments. Image: Psamtik II’s statue at the Louvre in Paris.
Legacy
Necho II’s reign was a complex tapestry of military ambition, infrastructural innovation, and cultural interaction. His efforts to restore Egypt’s former glory and assert its influence on the international stage reflect a ruler keenly aware of the shifting power dynamics of his era. Despite initial successes, his military ambitions were ultimately thwarted by the rising power of Babylon, altering the balance of power in the Near East.
His infrastructural projects, particularly the canal and naval developments, highlight his vision for Egypt as a dominant trading and maritime power. By initiating the construction of a canal linking the Nile to the Red Sea and expanding the navy with foreign expertise, Necho demonstrated a willingness to adopt new technologies and practices for the advancement of his nation.
Egyptologist Donald B. Redford characterized Necho II as “a man of action from the start, and endowed with an imagination perhaps beyond that of his contemporaries,” noting that he “had the misfortune to foster the impression of being a failure.” This assessment underscores the paradox of Necho’s reign: a leader with grand aspirations whose achievements were overshadowed by the geopolitical shifts of his time. His inability to prevent the rise of Babylon and the loss of Egyptian territories diminished the immediate impact of his accomplishments.
However, Necho II’s legacy can be reevaluated in light of his contributions to Egypt’s infrastructure and military modernization. His attempts to integrate Egypt into broader trade networks and to adopt foreign technologies reflect an openness that would influence future generations. The stories of his endeavors, whether fully accurate or partly mythologized, attest to a period of ambition and transformation in ancient Egypt’s history.
Conclusion
Pharaoh Necho II’s life and reign encapsulate a pivotal moment in ancient history, where old empires waned, and new powers emerged. His actions were driven by a desire to secure Egypt’s position in a changing world, balancing military might with infrastructural innovation. While not all his ambitions were realized, his reign represents a significant chapter in the narrative of Egypt’s enduring legacy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who were Necho II’s parents?
Necho II was the son of Psammetichus I and his Great Royal Wife, Mehtenweskhet.
What does Necho II’s royal name Wahem-Ib-Re mean, and what is its significance?
His royal name, Wahem-Ib-Re, means “Carrying out the Heart (Wish) of Re,” connecting him to the sun god Re and emphasizing his divine right to rule.
Which nomadic tribes threatened Necho II’s kingdom upon his ascension?
The Cimmerians and Scythians, nomadic tribes from the north, had ravaged regions west of the Euphrates River and posed a significant threat.
Why did Necho II decide to support the Assyrians led by Ashur-uballit II?
He recognized the strategic importance of supporting the Assyrians to counter Babylonian expansion and maintain a balance of power.
What was the outcome of Necho II’s initial military aid to the Assyrians?
His initial forces were insufficient, leading to a retreat west of the Euphrates River.
Who did Necho II encounter at Megiddo during his first campaign, and what was the result?
He encountered King Josiah of Judah at Megiddo and killed him in battle, as described in 2 Kings 23.
According to Herodotus, which significant city did Necho II capture after defeating the Syrians?
Necho II captured Cadytis, thought to be Kadesh, a significant city in Syria.
What was notable about Necho II’s crossing of the Euphrates River?
He became the first Egyptian pharaoh since Thutmose III to cross the Euphrates River during a military campaign.
What happened to the Assyrian Empire after Necho II’s failed siege of Harran?
After the failed siege and retreat, Ashur-uballit II disappeared from historical records, marking the end of the Assyrian Empire.
How did Necho II expand Egypt’s naval capabilities?
He established a navy by recruiting displaced Ionian Greeks and built warships to operate along the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts.
What ambitious construction project did Necho II initiate, and what was its purpose?
He began constructing a canal linking the Pelusiac branch of the Nile River to the Red Sea to facilitate trade between the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean.
What was the Phoenician expedition commissioned by Necho II, and why is it significant?
He reportedly ordered Phoenician sailors to circumnavigate Africa, which, if true, would be one of the earliest known circumnavigations of the continent.
Who succeeded Necho II, and what actions did his successor reportedly take regarding Necho’s legacy?
His son, Psamtik II, succeeded him and may have attempted to remove Necho’s name from monuments, possibly to distance himself from his father’s legacy.
