Reign of Cambyses II (530–522 BCE)

1. Gaumāta seizes power in Persia

   Mar 11, 522Labels: Gaum ta, Bardiya

   According to Darius’ later account, Gaumāta (posing as Bardiya) took the kingship on 11 March 522 BCE, triggering an imperial succession crisis while Cambyses was still connected with Egypt.

   • Iranica
   • Darius

2. Cambyses departs Egypt to confront usurpation

   Apr 1, 522Labels: Cambyses II, Egypt

   Cambyses hurriedly left Egypt and traveled through Syria on his way back to Persia after news of the upheaval, but the situation deteriorated before he could reassert control.

   • Britannica
   • Iranica

3. Cambyses II dies en route in Syria

   Jul 1, 522Labels: Cambyses II, Syria

   Cambyses died in Syria in the summer of 522 BCE under disputed circumstances; Darius’ inscription formula says he “died by his own death,” while later Greek accounts offer accident or suicide scenarios.

   • Britannica
   • Iranica

4. Bardiya’s brief reign follows Cambyses

   Aug 1, 522Labels: Bardiya, Egypt

   After Cambyses’ death, Bardiya (or an impostor presented as him, in Darius’ narrative) was recognized as king for a short period in 522 BCE, including in Egypt where royal authority was claimed in his name.

   • Britannica
   • Bardiya

5. Darius kills Gaumāta and takes throne

   Sep 29, 522Labels: Darius I, Gaum ta

   Darius and co-conspirators killed Gaumāta and Darius became king; Encyclopaedia Iranica gives Darius’ accession date as 29 September 522 BCE in its discussion of the Bisotun/Behistun narrative.

   • Iranica
   • Behistun

6. Campaigns planned toward Nubia, Siwa, Carthage

   Jan 1, 524Labels: Cambyses II, Siwa Oasis

   While in Egypt, Cambyses planned (and in some cases initiated) expeditions south and west—toward Ethiopia/Nubia, the Oasis of Amun at Siwa, and Carthage—though results were limited or the plans were abandoned.

   • Britannica

7. Apis bull burial attested under Cambyses

   Jan 1, 524Labels: Apis bull, Saqqara

   An epitaph stele from the Serapeum at Saqqara is dated to Year 6 of Cambyses (524 BCE) and describes the Apis bull being buried “peacefully,” evidence often contrasted with hostile Greek narratives about Cambyses’ impiety.

   • Oxford CAB
   • Wikimedia

8. Persian invasion of Egypt begins

   Jan 1, 525Labels: Cambyses II, Achaemenid Egypt

   Cambyses launched the long-planned Achaemenid campaign against Egypt during the reign of Psamtik III, bringing Persian power directly into the eastern Nile Delta.

   • Britannica
   • Cambyses II

9. Persians defeat Egypt at Pelusium

   Jan 1, 525Labels: Battle of, Cambyses II

   At Pelusium, Cambyses’ forces defeated the Egyptians in the decisive battle of the campaign, opening the way to the fall of the Saite kingdom and Persian rule in Egypt.

   • Britannica
   • Pelusium

10. Memphis captured; Egypt submits to Cambyses

    Jul 1, 525Labels: Memphis, Cambyses II

    After Pelusium, Persian forces took key centers including Memphis; organized Egyptian resistance collapsed and Cambyses assumed pharaonic authority, inaugurating Achaemenid Egypt’s 27th Dynasty.

    • Britannica
    • Memphis

11. Cambyses II succeeds Cyrus as Great King

    Jan 1, 5300Labels: Cambyses II, Cyrus the

    Cambyses II (Kambūjiya) became king of the Achaemenid Empire after the death of his father, Cyrus the Great, beginning a reign later remembered above all for the conquest of Egypt.

    • Britannica
    • WHE

12. Cambyses continues key role in Babylonia

    Jan 1, 5300Labels: Babylonia, Cambyses II

    Sources report Cambyses had already been entrusted with major responsibilities in Babylonia during Cyrus’ lifetime (including royal ritual duties), helping smooth the early transition of power.

    • Britannica