Today's Passage
This passage describes the beginning of Athens' disastrous Egyptian expedition (460-454 BCE), a major episode in the broader conflict between the Delian League and the Persian Empire.
Crawley Translation (1910)
Meanwhile Inaros, son of Psammetichus, a Libyan king of the Libyans on the Egyptian border, having his headquarters at Marea, the town above Pharos, caused a revolt of almost the whole of Egypt from King Artaxerxes and, placing himself at its head, invited the Athenians to his assistance. Abandoning a Cyprian expedition upon which they happened to be engaged with two hundred ships of their own and their allies, they arrived in Egypt and sailed from the sea into the Nile, and making themselves masters of the river and two-thirds of Memphis, addressed themselves to the attack of the remaining third, which is called White Castle. Within it were Persians and Medes who had taken refuge there, and Egyptians who had not joined the rebellion.
Modern Translation
During this period, Inaros—son of Psammetichus and a Libyan king ruling the Libyans along Egypt's frontier—established his base of operations at Marea, the city situated above Pharos. He orchestrated a rebellion that swept through nearly all of Egypt against King Artaxerxes. Taking command of the uprising, he appealed to Athens for military support. The Athenians, who were then conducting a campaign in Cyprus with a fleet of two hundred ships (both their own and allied vessels), abandoned that operation and proceeded to Egypt. They navigated from the Mediterranean into the Nile, gained control of the river and two-thirds of Memphis, then launched an assault on the remaining third, known as the White Castle. This stronghold sheltered Persian and Median forces who had retreated there, along with Egyptians who had remained loyal to Persian rule.
Historical Context
This passage describes the beginning of Athens' disastrous Egyptian expedition (460-454 BCE), a major episode in the broader conflict between the Delian League and the Persian Empire. Inaros, a Libyan dynast, led a widespread Egyptian revolt against Persian rule under Artaxerxes I. The Athenians, at the height of their imperial confidence, diverted a massive fleet from Cyprus to support this rebellion, seeing an opportunity to weaken Persia and potentially gain influence in wealthy Egypt. The capture of most of Memphis represented an initial success, but the White Castle's resistance foreshadowed the eventual Persian counterattack. This expedition would ultimately end in catastrophe for Athens, with the loss of perhaps 250 ships and thousands of men, marking one of the greatest military disasters in Athenian history and demonstrating the dangers of imperial overreach.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Athenian Naval Power
The 200-ship fleet represents the extraordinary naval resources Athens could deploy in the 450s BCE. This massive force, drawn from Athens and its allies, demonstrates the power of the Delian League at its height, capable of simultaneous operations across the Eastern Mediterranean.
Learn more →Egyptian Revolts Against Persia
Egypt repeatedly rebelled against Persian rule throughout the Achaemenid period. Native Egyptian dynasties and Libyan rulers like Inaros exploited Persian weaknesses, often seeking Greek military assistance. These revolts reflected deep Egyptian resentment of foreign domination.
Learn more →Memphis and the White Castle
Memphis, ancient Egypt's capital, was divided into districts. The White Castle (possibly the fortified palace complex) served as the Persian administrative and military center. Its capture would have given the rebels control over Lower Egypt's government.
Learn more →Marea
Marea, located west of the Nile Delta near Lake Mareotis, occupied a strategic position between Libya and Egypt. As Inaros's base, it provided access to both Libyan military resources and the Egyptian heartland while maintaining communication with potential Greek allies arriving by sea.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (11.71-74)
Diodorus provides a fuller account of the Egyptian revolt and Athenian expedition, including details about the siege of Memphis and the eventual Persian victory under Megabyzus.
Read passage →Ctesias: Persica (Fragment 14.36-39)
Ctesias, who served at the Persian court, offers the Persian perspective on Inaros's revolt and emphasizes the role of Persian commanders in suppressing the rebellion.
Read passage →Herodotus: Histories (3.12, 7.7)
While predating these events, Herodotus describes earlier Egyptian revolts against Persia and the strategic importance of Egypt to the Persian Empire, providing essential background.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- What does Athens' decision to divert 200 ships from Cyprus to Egypt reveal about Athenian strategic thinking and imperial ambitions in the 450s BCE?
- How might the presence of loyal Egyptians in the White Castle alongside Persians and Medes complicate our understanding of this as a 'national' uprising?
- Consider the risks and rewards of Athens' intervention in Egypt. What factors might have made this expedition seem worthwhile despite the enormous commitment of resources?
- How does Thucydides' brief, matter-of-fact narration of these events compare with his detailed treatment of other campaigns? What might this tell us about his historical priorities?