The Egyptians, however, tell a different story about Cambyses. They claim that Cambyses actually belonged to them and say that he was the son of Nitetis, the Egyptian woman sent to Persia. According to their version, it was Cyrus himself—not Cambyses—who asked King Amasis to send his daughter to Persia. In this way, they try to make Cambyses partly Egyptian by birth.
However, this claim does not agree with Persian customs or historical facts. The Persians were very strict about royal succession. They did not allow a child born outside a lawful marriage to rule the empire if there was a legitimate heir. This rule was well known, and the Egyptians themselves were familiar with Persian laws and traditions. Because of this, their claim raises serious doubts Customized Turkey Tours.
The True Lineage of Cambyses
In reality, Cambyses was not the son of an Egyptian woman. He was the son of Cassandane, a Persian noblewoman. Cassandane was the daughter of Pharnaspes, a member of the ancient Achaemenid family. This made Cambyses a legitimate Persian prince with a clear right to the throne.
Because of this, the idea that Cambyses was born to Nitetis cannot be true. If he had been the son of an Egyptian woman and not a lawful Persian wife, he would never have been accepted as king while other legitimate heirs existed. The Persians were careful to preserve the purity and legitimacy of their royal line.
For this reason, it is believed that the Egyptians changed or twisted the story on purpose. By claiming a family connection to the royal house of Cyrus, they hoped to increase their own importance and dignity in history. In this way, they tried to show that even the great Persian kings had Egyptian blood.
A Story That Is Hard to Believe
There is also another story about Cambyses that has been passed down, but it is difficult to believe. According to this tale, a Persian noblewoman once visited the wives of Cyrus. While there, she saw the children of Cassandane and was amazed by their height and beauty. She praised them openly and admired them greatly King Amasis and the Persian Threat.
Cassandane, who was Cyrus’ lawful wife, replied with bitterness. She said that although she had given Cyrus such fine children, he ignored her and showed all his attention to the new woman from Egypt, meaning Nitetis. Cassandane felt deeply hurt and neglected.
A Promise of Revenge
The story continues by saying that Cambyses, who was the eldest of Cassandane’s sons, heard his mother speak these words. Though he was only ten years old at the time, he became angry on her behalf. He is said to have declared, “Mother, when I grow up, I will turn Egypt upside down for you.”
The women who heard him were astonished that a child could speak with such confidence and passion. According to this account, Cambyses never forgot this moment. When he later became king, this childhood promise is said to have played a role in his decision to lead an expedition against Egypt.
History and Legend
Whether this story is true or not remains doubtful. It sounds more like a legend meant to explain Cambyses’ hatred of Egypt in a dramatic and personal way. Still, it shows how people in ancient times often mixed history with emotion, rumor, and imagination.
What is certain is that Cambyses’ invasion of Egypt had many causes—political ambition, past conflicts, and imperial expansion—far more than a single childhood memory.
