--- title: Sarcophus of Nectanebo II author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5340/sarcophus-of-nectanebo-ii/ format: machine-readable-alternate updated: 1970-01-01 --- # Sarcophus of Nectanebo II _Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_ ## Image File [![Sarcophus of Nectanebo II](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/5340.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/5340.jpg) ## Image Caption The sarcophagus was prepared for [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/)'s last native [pharaoh](https://www.worldhistory.org/pharaoh/), Nectanebo II. Nectanebo's reign was cut short in the year 343 BCE, when the emperor Artaxerxes III restored Egypt to Persian rule. Nectanebo fled south, never to regain control. A decade later, the [Persian Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Persian_Empire/) was overrun by [Alexander the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexander_the_Great/) who boosted his title to Egypt's throne by claiming that Nectanebo was his father. In medieval times, the sarcophagus was reused as a ritual bath in the Atttarin Mosque at [Alexandria](https://www.worldhistory.org/alexandria/) (formerly the church of St. Athanasius, Plugholes were drilled at the bottom. The outside of the sarcophagus bears sections from a body of texts called Amduat, literally "that which is in the underworld". They describe the sun-[god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/)'s nightly journey through the realm of [Osiris](https://www.worldhistory.org/osiris/), with 12 [hours](https://www.worldhistory.org/Horae/) corresponding to different regions and challenges. The dead king would share in the deity's endless cycle of overnight regeneration The inside bears figures of funerary gods (now eroded), including [Anubis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Anubis/), the Sons of [Horus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Horus/), and [Isis](https://www.worldhistory.org/isis/) and [Nephthys](https://www.worldhistory.org/Nephthys/) at the head and foot ends. 30th Dynasty, reign of Nectanebo II, circa 360-343 BCE. From Attarin Mosque at Alexandria; originally from Samannud, Egypt. (The British Museum, London). #### Editorial Review This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## About the Author Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world. - [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/MRCPian) - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/osama-shukir-muhammed-amin/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Amin, O. S. M. (2016, July 18). Sarcophus of Nectanebo II. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Sarcophus of Nectanebo II." *World History Encyclopedia*, July 18, 2016. . ### MLA Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Sarcophus of Nectanebo II." *World History Encyclopedia*, 18 Jul 2016, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 18 July 2016. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.