NECIIO, Piranaou NECHO, or NERO, an Egyptian king, son mad-successor, accord ing to lierodolus, of Psammeticus, and contemporary of Josiah king of Judah. Sacred and profane writers relate his successful wars in Syria. Soon after his secession to the throne he prepared large fleets on the Mediterranean and Red seas, and sent some expert Phenician sailors to explore the coasts of Africa. They are said lohave circumnavigated Africa, by which its peninsular form was ascertained, more than 2,000 years before Vasco de Game doubled the enpt of Good hope. He attempted also to reopen the canal con necting the Red sea with the Nile. To check the power of the Assyrians, he collected a large army at the beeinning of his reign, B.C. 610, and entered Palestine with the view of besieging Carehemish on the Euphrates. But Josiah resented his passage through his territory, and, though Necho sent messengers disclainiing any hostile designs, Josiah encanntered him in the plain of _Megiddo, about 40 in. n. of Jerusalem. Josinh's forces were mined with great slaughter. Ile himself was wounded with an arrow, and his attendant:4, removing him front his chariot, conveyed hint to Jerusalem, where he died.
Necho proceeded on his march to the Euphrates. Three months after the capture of Carehemish and the defeat of the Chaldeaus, lie learned that Jehoabaz, a younger son of Josiah. had usurped the throne of his father. Necho deposed him, condemned the hind to a yearly tribute, and carried him prisoner to Jerusalem. He then made Dinkins killer, changing his name to Jelminkim. took the silver and gold which had been levied from the Jewish nation, and returned to Egypt with Jehonh'az. Four years afterwards he again marched into Syria against the Babylonians, but Nebuchadnezzar completely routed his army, and, advancing. through Palestine, took from Necho all the Egyptian possessions from the Euphrates to the southern extremity of Syria. Nebuchaduezzar do posoil Jehoiachin, who had succeeded his father, and carried the warriors and treas ures to Babylon. Necho died soon after, having reigned, according to Herodotus, 16 years. Ile was of the State 20th dynasty, of which Manetho makes him either the fifth ruler or the sixth. Iferodot us calls him Neches. Be was succeeded by Psammeticus II.