Apries

Apries was a pharaoh of ancient Egypt. He belonged to the Twenty-sixth dynasty. His Egyptian name was Wahibre Haaibre. Historians like Herodotus and Diodorus call him Apries. Another historian named Manetho called him Ouaphris. Manetho recorded that Apries ruled for 19 years. The Bible also mentions him. In the Book of Jeremiah, he is called Hophra.

Apries became king after his father died. His father was the pharaoh Psamtik II. During his reign, Apries was a very active builder. He focused on improving religious sites across Egypt. He constructed additions to temples at Athribis, which is also known as Tell Atrib. He also worked on temples at the Bahariya Oasis. Other construction projects took place in Memphis and Sais.

Apries dealt with many different political challenges. In the fourth year of his reign, his sister Ankhnesneferibre became the God's Wife of Amun at Thebes. This was an important religious position. Apries also tried to help the Kingdom of Judah. He sent a force to Jerusalem to protect it. They were trying to stop Babylonian forces led by Nebuchadnezzar II. However, the Egyptian forces withdrew quickly. They seemed to want to avoid a major fight with the Babylonians. After an 18-month siege, the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem.

In other regions, Apries was a military leader. Classical historians say he campaigned in the Levant. He took control of the city of Sidon. This action reportedly terrified other cities in Phoenicia. Because of this fear, those cities submitted to him. This control was likely not permanent. A stela from Tahpanhes shows that an invasion was attempted in Egypt. However, the forces of Apries were strong enough to repel it.

Conflict also arose in Cyrenaica to the west. A leader named Battus II encouraged Greeks to settle in Cyrene. This caused tension with the local Libyans. The Libyan king, Adicran, asked Apries for military help. Apries sent an army to fight in Cyrene. Unfortunately, his army suffered a decisive defeat at the Battle of Irasa. This loss led to serious trouble back in Egypt.

A civil war broke out within the Egyptian army. This war was between indigenous Egyptian troops and foreign mercenaries. The Egyptian soldiers supported a general named Amasis. Amasis had previously led a successful invasion of Nubia. This invasion happened under the reign of Apries' father. Amasis declared himself pharaoh in 570 BC. Apries was forced to flee Egypt to find safety in a foreign land.

Apries eventually tried to reclaim his throne. He returned to Egypt with the help of a Babylonian army. He likely died in battle against the forces of Amasis. Herodotus tells a different version of these events. He suggests Apries survived the battle and was captured. Amasis reportedly treated him well at first. However, the Egyptian people demanded justice. They placed Apries in their own hands, and he was strangled to death.

Amasis became the unchallenged ruler of Egypt after these events. He took steps to make his rule seem legal. He married Khedebneithirbinet II, who was the daughter of Apries. Despite their conflict, Amasis showed respect for the former king. He performed proper funerary rituals for Apries. He had the body carried to Sais for burial. He even provided full military honors for the deceased pharaoh.

Apries left behind several monuments. He erected an obelisk at the city of Sais. This obelisk was moved much later in history. In the 3rd century AD, the Roman Emperor Diocletian moved it. It was originally placed at the Temple of Isis in Rome. Today, you can find this obelisk in Rome. It stands in front of the Santa Maria sopra Minerva basilica church.