Battle of Pelusium and Siege of Memphis Quiz

Questions and Answers

What was the strategy employed by the Egyptians during the battle of Pelusium?

They attacked the Persians with full force

They used cats, dogs, and ibises as a form of psychological warfare (correct)

They launched a surprise attack on the Persian navy

They employed a phalanx formation to counter the Persian cavalry

Which of the following gods was depicted on the shields of the Persian soldiers?

Horus

Anubis

Isis

Bastet (correct)

What was the outcome of the siege of Memphis?

The Persians were forced to lift the siege due to a lack of supplies

The siege ended in a stalemate, with both sides withdrawing

The Egyptians surrendered, and Psammetichus was exiled (correct)

The Persians were repelled, and the Egyptians emerged victorious

What was the location of the battle of Pelusium?

At the mouth of the Nile River Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Persians depict cats on their shields during the battle of Pelusium?

To demonstrate their reverence for the Egyptian goddess Bastet Signup and view all the answers

What was the fate of Psammetichus' son?

He was paraded as a slave before his father and then executed Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Phoenicians refuse to participate in Cambyses' attack on Carthage?

Because Carthage had been founded by their ancestors Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the Persian army sent to subdue the Ammonians in the desert?

They were destroyed by a sandstorm while having breakfast Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of Cambyses' expedition to Ethiopia?

The expedition was badly planned and ran out of food, leading to cannibalism Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence of Psammetichus' plotting a revolt against Cambyses?

He was killed by Cambyses Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Battle of Pelusium

The Persians defeated the Egyptians in the Battle of Pelusium, which took place near the mouth of the Nile.
The Egyptians were reluctant to attack the Persians because they had painted images of Bastet, the cat goddess, on their shields.
Additionally, the Persians drove cats, dogs, and ibises between the two armies, which further deterred the Egyptians from fighting.

Siege of Memphis

The Egyptians retreated to Memphis after their defeat at Pelusium.
The Persians laid siege to Memphis, forcing Psammetichus to surrender.

Conquest of Egypt and Beyond

Psammetichus, the Pharaoh of Egypt, was humiliated by Cambyses, who paraded his son and daughter as slaves before him, eventually executing his son.
Cambyses initially spared Psammetichus' life, but later killed him upon discovering his plan to revolt.

Submission of Libya and Cyrene

The people of Libya, Barca, and Cyrene submitted to Cambyses out of fear of invasion.

Failed Campaigns

Cambyses planned to attack Carthage but was unsuccessful due to the refusal of the Phoenicians to participate, as Carthage was founded by their ancestors.
An army of 50,000 men was sent to subdue the Ammonians in the desert, but was destroyed by a sandstorm while having breakfast.
Cambyses led an expedition to Ethiopia, which was poorly planned and resulted in a shortage of food; the army resorted to eating pack animals and eventually cannibalism to survive.

Description

Test your knowledge of the battles between the Persians and Egyptians, including the Battle of Pelusium and the Siege of Memphis. Learn about the clever tactic used by the Persians and the ultimate surrender of Psammetichus.