Kevin Harrison investigates the truth behind one of Herodotus’ fabulous tales.
![A Saite Story Of Glory: Necho II & The Circumnavigation Of Africa](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/8600/237401/599e6f3140043/A-Saite-Story-Of-Glory-Necho-II-The-Circumnavigation-Of-Africa.jpg)
Perhaps the story came from Greeks, resident in Egypt for generations; perhaps from Phoenicians,boasting of the maritime prowess of their ancestors; most likely the story of the voyage came from Egyptians themselves, transmitted down generations of national decline, failure and humiliating foreign occupation, to this magpie-collector of strange customs, folk-lore and otherwise lost stories: ‘the Father of History’, Herodotus of Halicarnassus.
A Phoenician-crewed expedition, Herodotus recounts,was dispatched by pharaoh Necho II (610-595 BC) to circumnavigate the continent of Africa (‘Libya’ to the Greeks). From a Red Sea naval base, it sailed down the East African coast, rounded the Cape and progressed up West Africa, returning to Egypt nigh-on three years later. It was a triumph, an achievement worthy of the revered pharaohs of olden times.
In Book II of the Histories Herodotus had discussed Egypt’s history and geography. In Book IV:42 he offers a glimpse of Necho’s expedition so tantalising that no consensus exists among historians, ancient or modern, as to its actuality. Few details exist to ‘flesh out’ this voyage. No records of it survive from Egypt, or from Phoenician sources. All ancient accounts of the circumnavigation post-date Herodotus, are derived from his Histories and add nothing new.
This story is from the Issue 103 edition of Ancient Egypt.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 103 edition of Ancient Egypt.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![INSIDE THE STEP PYRAMID OF DJOSER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8600/715637/611df7e16e62f/crp_INSIDE-THE-STEP-PYRAMID-OF-DJOSER.jpg)
INSIDE THE STEP PYRAMID OF DJOSER
Sean McLachlan explores the recently reopened interior of this iconic Third Dynasty Saqqara monument.
![PER MESUT: for younger readers](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8600/715637/611df96247464/crp_PER-MESUT-for-younger-readers.jpg)
PER MESUT: for younger readers
She Who Loves Silence
![Highlights of the Manchester Museum 29: An Offering by Queen Tiye for her Husband](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8600/715637/611df74aeb5fe/crp_Highlights-of-the-Manchester-Museum-29-An-Offering-by-Queen-Tiye-for-her-Husband.jpg)
Highlights of the Manchester Museum 29: An Offering by Queen Tiye for her Husband
Campbell Price describes an offering table with a touching significance.
![Highlights Of The Manchester Museum 28: Busts Of Jesse And Marianne Haworth](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8600/657949/60acab6b196fd/crp_Highlights-of-the-Manchester-Museum-28-Busts-of-Jesse-and-Marianne-Haworth.jpg)
Highlights Of The Manchester Museum 28: Busts Of Jesse And Marianne Haworth
Campbell Price describes the significance of two statue busts on display in the Museum.
![TAKABUTI, the Belfast Mummy](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8600/657949/60acaa9a9581f/crp_TAKABUTI-the-Belfast-Mummy.jpg)
TAKABUTI, the Belfast Mummy
Rosalie David and Eileen Murphy explain how scientific examination of the ‘Belfast Mummy’ is revealing much new information about her life and times.
![Lost Golden City](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8600/657949/60aca82b6701a/crp_Lost-Golden-City.jpg)
Lost Golden City
An Egyptian Mission searching for the mortuary temple of Tutankhamun has discovered a settlement – “The Dazzling of Aten” – described as the largest city ever found in Egypt (see above). Finds bearing the cartouches of Amenhotep III (see opposite, top) date the settlement to his reign, c. 1390-1352 BC – making it about 3400 years old.
![Jerusalem's Survival, Sennacharib's Departure and the Kushite Role in 701 BCE: An Examination of Henry Aubin's Rescue of Jerusalem](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8600/657949/60acad3ff23ac/crp_Jerusalems-SurvivalSennacharibsDeparture-and-theKushiteRole-in-701-BCE-An-Examination-of-HenryAubinsRescue-of-Jerusalem.jpg)
Jerusalem's Survival, Sennacharib's Departure and the Kushite Role in 701 BCE: An Examination of Henry Aubin's Rescue of Jerusalem
BOOK REVIEWS
![Golden Mummies of Egypt: Interpreting Identities from the Graeco-Roman Period by Campbell Price](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8600/657949/60acac964113e/crp_Golden-Mummies-of-Egypt-Interpreting-Identities-from-theGraeco-RomanPeriod.jpg)
Golden Mummies of Egypt: Interpreting Identities from the Graeco-Roman Period by Campbell Price
BOOK REVIEWS
![Old And New Kingdom Discoveries At Saqqara](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8600/624371/60599715bfb0d/crp_OLD-AND-NEW-KINGDOM-DISCOVERIES-AT-SAQQARA.jpg)
Old And New Kingdom Discoveries At Saqqara
An Egyptian team working on a Sixth Dynasty pyramid complex near the Teti pyramid at Saqqara has made a series of important discoveries.
![Map Of Egypt](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/8600/624371/60599606370b0/crp_MAP-of-EGYPT.jpg)
Map Of Egypt
What’s in a name? It is easy for us to forget that the names we associate with the pyramids – such as the Meidum Pyramid, the Bent Pyramid or the Black Pyramid – would have been meaningless to their builders.