New Kingdom of Egypt

The New Kingdom, also called the Egyptian Empire, was a time in ancient Egypt between the 16th century BC and the 11th century BC. This period includes the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and Twentieth dynasties. It was a very rich and powerful time for ancient Egypt.

In 1845, a German scholar named Christian Charles Josias von Bunsen first used the term "New Kingdom". Later, this time is also called the Ramesside period, named after the kings called Ramesses, including the famous Ramesses II.

Because of foreign rule before, the New Kingdom made Egypt grow larger than ever. The rulers expanded into areas known as the Levant, Nubia, and the Near East, making Egypt one of the biggest empires of the ancient world.

History

Rise

Main article: Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt

The Eighteenth Dynasty had some of Egypt's most famous kings, such as Ahmose I, Hatshepsut, Thutmose III, Amenhotep III, Akhenaten, and Tutankhamun.

Ahmose I started the eighteenth dynasty. He fought against the Hyksos and reunited the country. Ahmose also fought in the Levant to stop future attacks on Egypt.

Ahmose was followed by Amenhotep I, then Thutmose I. Thutmose I fought in the Levant and reached the Euphrates, the first pharaoh to do so.

Hatshepsut was a powerful pharaoh. She was the daughter of Thutmose I and wife of Thutmose II. After her husband died, she ruled with his son Thutmose III, but later ruled alone. Hatshepsut built structures in the Karnak temple and restored the trade networks disrupted during the Hyksos rule. She also prepared for a mission to the Land of Punt. After her death, Thutmose III took control.

Thutmose III expanded Egypt's army and strengthened the empire. This brought Egypt to a peak of power and wealth under Amenhotep III. The word pharaoh became a way to address the king around 1479–1425 BC.

Thutmose III was skilled in battle. He fought at least 16 battles in 20 years and captured many cities. He conquered much of the Near East from the Euphrates to Nubia. He was the first pharaoh after Thutmose I to cross the Euphrates, during his battle against Mitanni.

The wealthiest king of this dynasty is Amenhotep III, who built the Luxor Temple, the Precinct of Monthu at Karnak, and his large Mortuary Temple. He also built the Malkata palace.

One famous pharaoh is Amenhotep IV, who changed his name to Akhenaten to honor the Aten, a symbol of the Egyptian god Ra. His worship of the Aten as the main god is seen as an early example of monotheism. Akhenaten's wife, Nefertiti, supported him. During his rule, Egyptian art developed a new style (see Amarna Period).

By the end of the Eighteenth Dynasty, Egypt's position had changed. With Akhenaten not focusing on foreign matters, the Hittites grew stronger in the Levant.

The last two members of the Eighteenth Dynasty—Ay and Horemheb—came from officials in the royal court.

Ay may have married Ankhesenamun, widow of Tutankhamun, to gain power. Ay's rule was short. His successor was Horemheb, a general during Tutankhamun's rule. Horemheb became king after Ay, possibly in a quick change of power. Horemheb died without children and named his advisor, Pa-ra-mes-su, as his heir. This advisor became king as Ramesses I, the first pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty.

Height of power

Main article: Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt

The Nineteenth Dynasty began with Vizier Ramesses I, chosen by the last ruler of the eighteenth dynasty, Pharaoh Horemheb. His short rule was a transition to the powerful pharaohs of this dynasty, especially his son Seti I and grandson Ramesses II, who brought Egypt to new heights of power.

Seti I fought battles in western Asia, Libya, and Nubia. He captured the Syrian town of Kadesh and nearby land of Amurru from the Hittite Empire. Egypt had not held Kadesh since the time of Akhenaten. Seti I defeated a Hittite army defending the town. However, Kadesh soon returned to Hittite control because the Egyptians could not keep a permanent force there.

Ramesses II wanted to reclaim lands in the Levant held by the 18th Dynasty. He defeated a raid by the Sherden sea people and added them to his army. His battles against the Hittites ended in the Battle of Kadesh, where he faced the Hittite king Muwatalli II. Ramesses was caught by surprise but regrouped and turned the battle. The result was unclear, with both sides claiming victory, and it ended in a peace agreement. He later captured Edom and Moab. Egypt gained wealth and stability under Ramesses for more than half a century. His successors continued military campaigns, but a troubled court made it harder to control the lands.

Ramesses II built widely across Egypt and Nubia. His cartouches appear everywhere, even on buildings he did not construct. He built many large monuments, including the archaeological complex of Abu Simbel and the Mortuary temple known as the Ramesseum. He also founded a new capital city in the Delta called Pi-Ramesses.

Ramesses II had many children with his wives and concubines. The tomb he built for his sons in the Valley of the Kings is the largest burial place in Egypt.

Civil war

Main article: End of the 19th Dynasty

The rulers after Ramesses II continued military campaigns, but a troubled court made things harder. He was followed by his son Merneptah and then by Merneptah's son Seti II. Seti II's right to the throne may have been challenged by his half-brother Amenmesse.

After his death, Seti II's son Siptah became king. After Siptah died early, the throne was taken by Twosret, who was the royal wife of Seti II.

A time of disorder followed, leading to the start of Setnakhte, beginning the Twentieth Dynasty.

Final years

Main article: Twentieth Dynasty of Egypt

The last great pharaoh from the New Kingdom is Ramesses III, a Twentieth Dynasty pharaoh who ruled decades after Ramesses II.

In the eighth year of his rule, the Sea Peoples attacked Egypt. Ramesses III defeated them in battles on land and sea. He later fought invading Libyan tribes in two major battles.

The cost of these battles weakened Egypt's treasury and led to the fall of the Egyptian Empire in Asia. The first known worker strike in history happened during the twenty-ninth year of Ramesses III's rule when food supplies for workers could not be given. Problems like low flooding of the Nile and hunger also troubled Egypt.

Near the end of Ramesses III's rule, an attempt was made to kill the king. The plan failed, and the people involved were tried. Ramesses III was followed by Crown Prince Ramesses IV.

Attacks by the Libyans and the Sea Peoples weakened the kingdom more. This increased the power of the priests of Amon, who eventually took control of the throne.

Decline into the Third Intermediate Period

Ramesses III's death was followed by years of disagreement among his heirs. Egypt faced droughts, low flooding of the Nile, hunger, and corruption. The power of the last king, Ramesses XI, grew weak. The High Priests of Amun at Thebes became rulers of Upper Egypt, and Smendes controlled Lower Egypt. Smendes started the twenty-first dynasty at Tanis.