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Questions and Answers
What was the message that the King of the Ethiopians sent to the King of the Persians through the spies?
What was the message that the King of the Ethiopians sent to the King of the Persians through the spies?
Why did Cambyses dismiss the Greeks from his army before marching against the Ethiopians?
Why did Cambyses dismiss the Greeks from his army before marching against the Ethiopians?
What was the consequence of Cambyses' failure to prepare for the sustenance of his army?
What was the consequence of Cambyses' failure to prepare for the sustenance of his army?
What was the outcome of Cambyses' expedition against the Ethiopians?
What was the outcome of Cambyses' expedition against the Ethiopians?
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Where did Cambyses eventually march down to after giving up his attack on Ethiopia?
Where did Cambyses eventually march down to after giving up his attack on Ethiopia?
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Study Notes
Cambyses' Desecration of Amasis' Body
- Cambyses entered the palace of Amasis in Sais and ordered the body of the king to be brought out of the tomb
- He commanded that the body be whipped, pricked, and insulted, but it resisted due to embalming
- Cambyses then ordered the body to be burned, which was considered impious by both Persians and Egyptians
- Persians believe fire is a god and never burn their dead, while Egyptians believe fire is a live animal that eats everything it can seize
- Egyptians embalm their dead to prevent them from being eaten by worms in the grave
Cambyses' Expedition against the Ethiopians
- Cambyses sent spies to Ethiopia with gifts, but the Ethiopian king perceived them as spies
- The Ethiopian king refused Cambyses' gifts and advised him to only attack when he could draw a bow as easily as the king could
- Cambyses was stirred to anger by the Ethiopian king's words and set out to attack Ethiopia without preparing for his army's sustenance
- His army ran out of provisions, and the men began to eat their sumpter beasts, then grass and herbs, and eventually resorted to cannibalism
- Cambyses gave up the attack on Ethiopia and retreated back to Thebes, losing many soldiers along the way
- He eventually reached Memphis, where he dismissed the Greeks and allowed them to sail home
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Description
This quiz is about Herodotus' account of Cambyses' actions in Sais, including the desecration of Amasis' body. Learn about this historical event and its significance.
