In the sixth century BC, Cambyses II, the first Persian emperor, assembled an army of more than 50,000 soldiers to capture the Temple of Amun in Egypt. They never arrived, and are suspected to have perished in peril in the Egyptian desert. But in the centuries since, no trace of their presence — or their brutal death — has been found. It was as if they just disappeared into thin air. Did this really happen, or is it just an example of a myth that has grown more grandiose over time? The Lost Army of King Cambyses tells the fascinating history and expedition that may finally prove its authenticity.
Over the years, countless archaeologists, geologists and historians have tried to solve the mystery of this vanished army. Most notably, desert explorer Laszlo Almasy claimed to have found evidence of the army in the 1930s, and his daring efforts formed the basis for the protagonist in the Academy Award-winning film The English Patient. Unfortunately, the exact location of his supposed discovery never came with him.
Then, in 1996, an explorer stumbled upon a collection of bone fragments and ancient arrowheads in the desert. He was later banned from returning to the site by Egyptian authorities, but a new research team soon decided to pick up where he left off. The filmmakers follow the team across a barren wasteland in search of some of the deepest archaeological discoveries ever made.
Along the way, the team begins to question the possibility that Cambyses’ army could have successfully made such a journey all those years ago. They estimate they will need more than 3,000 tons of food, water and supplies to keep them afloat throughout the journey. Other suspicions centered on the routes the troops were taking, given their unfamiliarity with the area and lack of sophisticated maps.
Beyond the obvious tension these modern explorers might eventually discover, The Lost Army of King Cambyses offers a rich perspective on ancient Egyptian history and a tangible feel for what life in a desert oasis really entails.
