7.2 International relations and diplomacy

New Kingdom Egypt's international relations were complex and dynamic. The empire engaged in diplomacy, trade, and cultural exchange with major powers like Mitanni, Hittites, and Assyria. These interactions shaped Egypt's political landscape and economic prosperity.

Royal marriages played a crucial role in foreign policy, forging alliances and maintaining peace. Trade and tribute systems facilitated economic growth, while cultural exchanges led to artistic, religious, and technological influences that enriched Egyptian society during this period.

International Relations and Diplomacy in New Kingdom Egypt

Diplomatic relationships of New Kingdom Egypt

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• Egypt's relationships with major powers during the New Kingdom
  • Mitanni
    • Initially rivals but later formed alliances through royal marriages to establish peace and cooperation
    • Diplomatic correspondence in the Amarna Letters provides insight into the nature of their relationship (Tushratta's letters to Amenhotep III)
  • Hittite Empire
    • Rivalry over control of Syria-Palestine led to military conflicts and territorial disputes
    • Culminated in the Battle of Kadesh during Ramesses II's reign, one of the largest chariot battles in history (Kadesh inscriptions)
    • Eventual peace treaty and alliance marked a significant shift in their relationship towards cooperation (Egyptian-Hittite peace treaty)
  • Assyria
    • Diplomatic relations and trade maintained through the exchange of envoys and goods
    • Assyria's growing power posed a threat to Egypt's influence in the Near East, leading to increased tensions and military campaigns (Ashurbanipal's conquest of Egypt)
  • Nubia
    • Egypt exerted control over Nubia, with Nubian rulers paying tribute as a sign of submission and loyalty
    • Nubian gold and luxury goods were important to Egypt's economy and used in royal and elite contexts (Nubian gold in Tutankhamun's tomb)

Trade and tribute in international relations

• Trade
  • Exchange of goods, such as gold, silver, copper, tin, and luxury items facilitated economic growth and cultural exchange
  • Trade routes, including the Via Maris and the King's Highway, connected Egypt with the Near East and beyond (Incense Route)
  • Role of merchants and diplomatic envoys in facilitating trade and maintaining political relationships
• Tribute
  • Payments made by vassal states to their overlord as a sign of submission and loyalty
  • Acknowledgment of the overlord's power and authority through the regular delivery of valuable goods
  • Included precious metals, livestock, and other valuable resources that bolstered the overlord's wealth and prestige (Nubian gold, Asiatic copper)
• Gift exchange
  • Diplomatic gifts exchanged between rulers to maintain alliances and goodwill, often on a reciprocal basis
  • Examples include the Amarna Letters, which record gifts exchanged between Egyptian pharaohs and Near Eastern rulers (Tushratta's gifts to Amenhotep III)
  • Gifts often included luxury items, such as jewelry, furniture, and decorative objects that showcased the sender's wealth and craftsmanship (Mitannian chariots, Hittite silver)

Cultural exchanges with foreign powers

• Artistic and architectural influences
  • Adoption of foreign motifs and styles in Egyptian art and architecture reflects cultural exchange and adaptation
  • Example: Minoan-style frescoes at Tell el-Dab'a (Avaris) demonstrate the influence of Aegean art on Egyptian palace decoration
• Religious and ideological exchanges
  • Introduction of foreign deities and religious practices enriched and diversified the Egyptian religious landscape
  • Example: Worship of Canaanite deities, such as Baal and Astarte, in Egypt reflects the assimilation of foreign religious ideas (Baal stele from Ugarit)
• Linguistic influences
  • Adoption of foreign loanwords into the Egyptian language reflects linguistic exchange and the incorporation of new concepts
  • Use of Akkadian as a diplomatic language in the Near East facilitated communication and cultural exchange (Amarna Letters)
• Technological transfers
  • Adoption of foreign technologies, such as the horse-drawn chariot and improved metalworking techniques, enhanced Egyptian military and economic capabilities (Hyksos introduction of the horse and chariot)

Royal marriages in Egyptian foreign policy

• Diplomatic marriages
  • Marriages between Egyptian royalty and foreign rulers to establish alliances and maintain peace, often involving the exchange of dowries and gifts
  • Example: Marriage of Amenhotep III to Gilukhepa, a Mitannian princess, strengthened the alliance between Egypt and Mitanni (Amarna Letters)
  • Children born from these marriages helped strengthen ties between the two kingdoms and ensure the continuity of the alliance
• Political alliances
  • Formal agreements between Egypt and other powers to provide military support or maintain trade relationships, often sealed through royal marriages
  • Example: Alliance between Egypt and Mitanni against the Hittite Empire, reinforced by the marriage of Thutmose IV to a Mitannian princess (Amarna Letters)
• Dynastic legitimacy
  • Foreign marriages helped legitimize the rule of Egyptian pharaohs by associating them with powerful foreign dynasties and their prestige
  • Example: Ramesses II's marriage to the Hittite princess Maathorneferure as part of the peace treaty between Egypt and the Hittite Empire enhanced his status as a great diplomat and peacemaker (Hittite-Egyptian peace treaty)