Apries (Wahibre of the twenty-sixth dynasty during the Third Intermediate Period) is described by Herodotus as being "more blessed than any other king except the founder of his family, Psammeticus I". However, it all went wrong when he allegedly stated that only a god could bring his rule to an end. When he launched an attack against Cyrene he was heavily defeated. His subjects blamed him for the loss of life and his returning army and the friends of those slain revolted against him. He sent Amasis (Ahmose II) to calm them down, but instead they crowned him pharaoh and marched with him against Apries. He sent Patarbemis to call Amasis to his presence, but Amasis indicated his intent to kill his former master and so the messenger returned alone. This drove the king into a rage and he cut of Patarbemis´ ears and nose! On seeing this act of barbarism, everyone else abandoned him. The king then sent his mercenaries against his people, but they were too weak for the Egyptians and Apries was soundly beaten.
While elements of the story may be fanciful, much of it is supported by other sources. Apries sent a force to Lybia to aid them against Dorian Greek invaders and returned to a civil revolt. The revolt was led by Amasis, who was victorious and was crowned pharaoh. He had Apries buried with full pharonic honours in Sais.
