The Twenty-sixth dynasty of Egypt was the last native dynasty to rule Egypt before the Persian conquest, and had its capital was Sais.

This dynasty traced its origins to the Twenty-fourth dynasty. Psammetichus I was the grandson of Bakenrenef, and following the Assyrians invasions during the reigns of Taharqa and Tantamani he was recognized as sole king over all of Egypt. When the Assyrian Empire was preoccupied with revolts, and civil war over control of the throne, Psammetichus threw off his ties to the Assyrians, and formed alliances with Gyges, king of Lydia, and recruited mercenaries from Caria and Greece to resist Assyrian attacks.

With the sack of Nineveh in 612 BC and the fall of the Assyrian Empire, both Psammetichus and his successors attempted to reassert Egyptian power in the Near East, but were driven back by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar II. With the help of Greek mercenaries, Apries was able to hold back Babylonian attempts to conquer Egypt, but it was the Persians who conquered Egypt, and their king Cambyses II carried Psammetichus III to Susa in chains.

See also

• History of Ancient Egypt