Saite Dynasty
The Saite Dynasty, specifically the Twenty-sixth Dynasty of ancient Egypt, represents a significant period characterized by political stability and cultural revival. Emerging after the tumultuous Twenty-fourth Dynasty, this era is noted for its establishment of Sais as the capital, which facilitated trade and commerce, particularly with the founding of Naukratis as a free port around 615 BCE. The Saite Dynasty is marked by an artistic renaissance that sought to revive Old Kingdom art styles while incorporating Greek influences, resulting in a blend of elegance and fluidity in carved reliefs.
This period also saw the reassertion of pharaonic authority and religious orthodoxy, although the eventual conquest by Persian forces would bring an end to native independent rule. Despite the grandeur of Saite architecture and temples, as described by the historian Herodotus around 450 BCE, much of the evidence of this impressive legacy has been lost over time, with materials repurposed for other constructions and sculptures relocated. Notably, the last God’s Wife of Amun, Ankhenesneferibre, symbolizes the cultural significance of this dynasty within the broader context of Egyptian history. The Saite Dynasty, therefore, stands as a pivotal chapter in Egypt’s rich past, bridging its glory days with the challenges posed by external powers.
Saite Dynasty
Related civilization: Pharaonic Egypt.
Date: 774-711 b.c.e. (Twenty-fourth Dynasty); Late Period, 664-525 b.c.e. (Twenty-sixth Dynasty)
Locale: Western delta on the Rosetta branch of the Nile, ancient Zau (modern Sa el-Hagar)
Saite Dynasty
The turbulent Twenty-fourth Dynasty of the Third Intermediate Period ended with a coalition against Nubian control of Thebes. The confederation of Tanis, Hermopolis, Heracleopolis, and Leotopolis rulers surrendered to Piye, founder of the Twenty-fifth Dynasty from Kush.
The later Saite monarchy (Twenty-sixth Dynasty) marks the last native independent rule before Persian conquest of Egypt. The Sais capital provided for political stability and a conduit for commerce between East and West. Around 615 b.c.e., Naukratis was established as a free port for Mediterranean trade. The 570 b.c.e. defeat of the Egyptian king Apries permitted Babylon to interfere with internal Egyptian affairs.
The Saite artistic renaissance actively revived Old Kingdom art styles and was intended to restore religious orthodoxy and pharaonic authority. Greek influences can be seen in the fluid outline of carved reliefs, with mannered and elegant reliefs replacing the rigid formality of Old Kingdom styles. Around 450 b.c.e., Herodotus described splendid Saite temples, but few traces remain at Sais because buildings were dismantled for their materials, and sculptured objects were carried off.
Bibliography
Baines, J., and J. Malek. Atlas of Ancient Egypt. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 1982.
Mysliwiec, Karol. The Twilight of Ancient Egypt. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press, 2000.
Smith, W. S. The Art and Architecture of Ancient Egypt. 1958. Rev. ed. Harmondsworth, England: Penguin Books,1981.