The Twenty-ninth Dynasty of ancient Egypt (notated Dynasty XXIX, alternatively 29th Dynasty or Dynasty 29) is usually classified as the fourth Dynasty of the Ancient Egyptian Late Period. It was founded after the overthrow of Amyrtaeus, the only Pharaoh of the 28th Dynasty, by Nefaarud I in 398 BC and disestablished upon the overthrow of Nefaarud II in 380 BC.
History of the Twenty-ninth Dynasty of Ancient Egypt
Nefaarud I founded the 29th Dynasty (according to an account preserved in a papyrus in the Brooklyn Museum) by defeating Amyrtaeus in open battle and later putting him to death at Memphis. Nefaarud then made Mendes his capital.
On Nefaarud’s death, two rival factions fought for the throne: one behind his son Muthis and the other supporting a usurper Psammuthes. However, Psammuthes was successful and only managed to reign for a year.
Psammuthes was overthrown by Hakor, who claimed to be the grandson of Nefaarud I. Although his son Nefaarud II became king on his death, the younger Nefaarud could not keep hold of his inheritance. He successfully resisted Persian attempts to reconquer Egypt, drawing support from Athens (until the Peace of Antalcidas in 387 BC) and the rebel king of Cyprus, Evagoras.
Pharaohs of the 29th Dynasty
Nepherites I
Nefaarud I or Nayfaurud I, better known by his Hellenised name Nepherites I, was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh who founded the 29th Dynasty in 399 BC.
Psammuthes
Psammuthes, or Psammuthis, was a pharaoh of the Twenty-ninth Dynasty of Egypt during 392/1 BC.
Hakor
Hakor or Hagar, also known by the Hellenized forms Achoris or Hakoris, was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the 29th Dynasty. His reign marks the apex of this feeble and short-lived Dynasty, having ruled for 13 years – more than half of its entire duration.
Nepherites II
Nepherites II or Nefaarud II was the last pharaoh of the feeble and short-lived Twenty-ninth Dynasty (399/8–380 BC), the penultimate native Dynasty of Egypt.
