The Twenty-eighth Dynasty

 28th Dynasty  

The Historical Background:  

 The 28th Dynasty of Egypt (notated Dynasty XXVIII, alternatively 28th Dynasty or Dynasty 28) is usually classified as the third dynasty of the Ancient Egyptian Late Period. The 28th Dynasty lasted from 409 to 399 and it includes only one Pharaoh, Amyrtaeus (Amenirdis), also known as Psamtik V or Psammetichus V. As early as 411 BC, Amyrtaeus, a native Egyptian, revolted against Darius II, the Achaemenid Persian King and the last Pharaoh of the 27th Dynasty. Amyrtaeus succeeded in expelling the Persians from Memphis in with assistance from Cretan mercenaries, following the death of Darius, proclaimed himself Pharaoh of Egypt. Although Artaxerxes II, Darius' successor as King of Persia attempted to lead an expedition to retake Egypt, he was unable to do so, due to political problems with his brother, Cyrus the Younger. This allowed Amyrtaeus to solidify Egyptian rule over Egypt. 

• Amyrtaeus  

Amyrtaeus of Sais is the only pharaoh of the 28th Dynasty of Egypt and is thought to be related to the royal family of the 26th Dynasty. He ended the first Persian occupation of Egypt and reigned from 409 BC to 399 BC. Amyrtaeus' successful insurrection inaugurated Egypt's last significant phase of independence under native sovereigns. Very little is known about Amyrtaeus' reign. No monuments from this dynasty have been found. however Amyrtaeus was overthrown and executed by Nefaarud I, ending the 28th Dynasty and beginning the 29th Dynasty. The Elephantine papyri also demonstrate that between 404 and 400 BC (or even 399 BC) Upper Egypt remained under Persian control, while the forces of Amyrtaeus dominated the Delta. Amyrtaeus was defeated in open battle by his successor, Nepherites I of Mendes and executed at Memphis, an event which the Aramaic papyrus Brooklyn 13 implies occurred in 399 BC. Nepherites I then transferred the capital to Mendes.

Aramaic papyrus from Elephantine,  dating to Regnal Year 5 of Amyrtaeus (400 BC).