Their policy and ideas were European rather than Egyptian.

Necho, the son and successor of Psammetikhos, cleared out the old canal which united the Red Sea with the Nile, and did all that he could to encourage trade with the Mediterranean.

An exploring fleet was even sent under Phoenician pilots to circumnavigate Africa.

Three years were spent on the voyage, and the ships finally returned through the Straits of Gibraltar to the mouths of the Nile.

Meanwhile, the Pharaoh had marched into Palestine.