7. Study Questions Copy

It is likely that the death of so prominent a figure would have attracted rumours, perhaps even a form of conspiracy theory. Perhaps a dramatic death fitted in more with his larger than life persona?

There is no right or wrong answer. You could look at what he did, and whether each action as a success. You could also think about what his aims were: conquest; stability; harmonious rule; the instillation of fear in his subjects?

The negative comments about Cambyses (mostly from Herodotus) seem likely to have been influenced by his Egyptian sources. We don’t really have any other sources, so have to trust to Herodotus (is this wise?).

He was supposed to have been Cambyses’ younger brother. Perhaps he was illegitimate, hence he is missing from the official records.