Ancient Egypt Map Under Persian Occupation During the Persian occupation of Ancient Egypt, the country was divided into several provinces or satrapies. These provinces were governed by Persian officials appointed by the Persian king. The provinces were primarily located along the Nile River, which was the lifeline of the country. The map of Ancient Egypt under Persian occupation would have looked quite different from the map of Egypt during the New Kingdom period. The Persian Empire extended beyond the borders of Egypt, and the Persians probably had control over other territories in the region. However, the focus of their governance in Egypt was limited to the Nile Valley. The Persian occupation of Egypt began in 525 BC, when the Persian king Cambyses II defeated the pharaoh Psamtik III. After this victory, the Persians established their rule over Egypt and created a new administrative organization for the country. One of the most significant changes made by the Persians was to divide Egypt into provinces or satrapies. The number and location of these provinces changed over time, but at the height of the Persian occupation, there were likely around 20 provinces.

Some of the major provinces included: – Memphis: located in the north of the country, this province included the cities of Memphis and Heliopolis. – Thebes: located in central Egypt, Thebes was a religious center and was home to many of the country’s most important temples and monuments. – Nubia: stretching from Aswan in the south to the Sudanese border, this province was important for its gold and trade routes. – Delta: located in the area around the Nile Delta, this province was important for its agricultural production. Other provinces included parts of the eastern desert, the oases to the west, and areas along the Red Sea coast. The Persian occupation of Egypt lasted for over two centuries, and during this time, the Persians exerted significant influence over the country’s political, economic, and cultural life. However, Egypt was never fully assimilated into the Persian Empire, and the country maintained a distinct identity throughout the period of occupation.