3.3 New Kingdom

The New Kingdom era marked a resurgence for Ancient Egypt after the decline of the Middle Kingdom. This period saw significant territorial expansion, military conquests, and cultural achievements that solidified Egypt's position as a major power in the ancient world.

The expulsion of the Hyksos and reunification of Egypt set the stage for the New Kingdom's prosperity. Under powerful pharaohs like Hatshepsut and Ramesses II, Egypt expanded its empire, built grand monuments, and engaged in extensive trade and diplomacy with neighboring powers.

Rise of the New Kingdom

• The New Kingdom (1550-1069 BCE) marked a period of resurgence and prosperity for Ancient Egypt after the decline of the Middle Kingdom and the rule of the Hyksos
• This era witnessed significant territorial expansion, military conquests, and cultural achievements that solidified Egypt's position as a major power in the ancient world

Expulsion of the Hyksos

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• The Hyksos, a Semitic people from the Levant, had taken control of Lower Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period
• Ahmose I, the founder of the 18th Dynasty, successfully led military campaigns to drive out the Hyksos and liberate Egypt from foreign rule
• The expulsion of the Hyksos set the stage for the reunification of Egypt under native Egyptian rule

Reunification of Egypt

• With the Hyksos expelled, Ahmose I and his successors worked to reunite Upper and Lower Egypt under a centralized administration
• The process of reunification involved reestablishing control over the Nile Delta, consolidating power, and rebuilding the country's infrastructure
• The reunification of Egypt laid the foundation for the New Kingdom's subsequent expansion and prosperity

Establishment of the 18th Dynasty

• The 18th Dynasty, founded by Ahmose I, marked the beginning of the New Kingdom era
• This dynasty produced some of the most renowned pharaohs in Egyptian history, including Hatshepsut, Thutmose III, and Akhenaten
• The rulers of the 18th Dynasty oversaw a period of stability, military conquests, and cultural flourishing that defined the New Kingdom

Expansion and conquest

• The New Kingdom was characterized by a series of successful military campaigns that expanded Egypt's territory and influence in the region
• Egyptian armies, equipped with advanced weapons and tactics, conquered neighboring lands and established Egypt as a dominant power

Military campaigns in Nubia

• The pharaohs of the New Kingdom launched military expeditions into Nubia, the region south of Egypt along the Nile River
• Thutmose I and his successors conquered Nubian territories, extending Egypt's control as far south as the Fourth Cataract of the Nile
• The conquest of Nubia provided Egypt with access to valuable resources, such as gold, ivory, and slaves

Conquest of the Levant

• The New Kingdom pharaohs also sought to expand their influence in the Levant, the region east of the Mediterranean Sea
• Thutmose III led numerous military campaigns into the Levant, defeating the Canaanite city-states and establishing Egyptian dominance in the region
• The conquest of the Levant brought Egypt into contact with other major powers, such as the Mitanni and the Hittites

Empire at its peak

• By the reign of Amenhotep III, Egypt had reached the height of its territorial expansion and power
• The Egyptian Empire stretched from Nubia in the south to the Euphrates River in the north, encompassing a vast area of the ancient Near East
• This period of imperial dominance brought wealth, stability, and cultural exchange to Egypt

Golden age of art and architecture

• The New Kingdom witnessed a golden age of artistic and architectural achievements, as the wealth and power of Egypt allowed for grand building projects and artistic innovations

Monumental temple construction

• The pharaohs of the New Kingdom commissioned the construction of massive temple complexes, such as the temples at Karnak and Luxor
• These temples were dedicated to the gods and served as centers of religious, political, and economic life
• The scale and grandeur of these temples reflected the power and prestige of the pharaohs and the importance of religion in Egyptian society

Innovations in tomb design

• The New Kingdom saw significant developments in tomb architecture, particularly in the Valley of the Kings
• The tombs of the pharaohs were cut into the rock of the valley, creating elaborate underground complexes filled with art, treasures, and funerary goods
• These tombs, such as the famous tomb of Tutankhamun, demonstrate the sophistication and artistry of New Kingdom funerary practices

Artistic achievements of the Amarna Period

• During the reign of Akhenaten, the art style underwent a dramatic shift, known as the Amarna style
• This style was characterized by more naturalistic and expressive representations of the human form, as seen in the famous bust of Nefertiti
• The Amarna Period, although short-lived, left a lasting impact on Egyptian art and culture

Religious developments

• Religion played a central role in New Kingdom Egypt, with the pharaohs seen as living gods and the temples serving as the center of religious life
• The New Kingdom witnessed significant religious developments, including the rise of new cults and the implementation of religious reforms

Prominence of the god Amun

• Amun, the god of creation and fertility, rose to prominence during the New Kingdom
• The pharaohs of the 18th Dynasty, particularly Hatshepsut and Thutmose III, promoted the cult of Amun and built grand temples in his honor (Karnak)
• The priesthood of Amun grew in power and influence, sometimes rivaling that of the pharaoh

Akhenaten's religious reforms

• During his reign, Akhenaten implemented a dramatic religious reform, promoting the worship of the sun disk Aten as the supreme deity
• Akhenaten moved the capital to a new city, Akhetaten (Amarna), and suppressed the cults of other gods, particularly Amun
• These reforms, known as the Amarna Revolution, challenged the traditional religious order and had far-reaching consequences

Return to traditional religion under Tutankhamun

• After Akhenaten's death, his successor Tutankhamun restored the traditional religious order
• Tutankhamun abandoned Akhetaten, moved the capital back to Thebes, and reinstated the cult of Amun
• The restoration of traditional religion helped to stabilize the country after the upheaval of the Amarna Period

Notable rulers of the New Kingdom

• The New Kingdom produced some of the most famous and influential pharaohs in Egyptian history, who left lasting legacies through their military conquests, building projects, and cultural achievements

Hatshepsut's reign as pharaoh

• Hatshepsut, one of the few female pharaohs, ruled Egypt during the 18th Dynasty
• She oversaw a period of peace and prosperity, focusing on trade, diplomacy, and building projects (mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri)
• Hatshepsut's successful reign challenged traditional gender roles and demonstrated the ability of women to rule effectively

Thutmose III's military conquests

• Thutmose III, often regarded as the "Napoleon of Ancient Egypt," was a skilled military leader who expanded Egypt's empire
• He led numerous campaigns into the Levant, defeating the Canaanite city-states and establishing Egyptian control over the region
• Thutmose III's conquests brought wealth, tribute, and captives to Egypt, solidifying its position as a major power

Ramesses II's building projects and battles

• Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great, was one of the most celebrated pharaohs of the New Kingdom
• He is famous for his monumental building projects, including the expansion of the Karnak temple complex and the construction of the Abu Simbel temples
• Ramesses II also engaged in notable military campaigns, particularly the Battle of Kadesh against the Hittites, which resulted in the world's first recorded peace treaty

Foreign relations and trade

• The New Kingdom saw Egypt engage in extensive diplomatic and trade relations with neighboring powers, facilitated by its military conquests and strategic location

Diplomatic marriages with foreign powers

• The pharaohs of the New Kingdom used diplomatic marriages to forge alliances and maintain peaceful relations with other major powers
• Amenhotep III and Ramesses II both married princesses from the Mitanni and Hittite kingdoms, respectively
• These marriages helped to stabilize the balance of power in the region and facilitated cultural exchange

Trade expeditions to Punt

• The New Kingdom pharaohs sent trade expeditions to the land of Punt, a region believed to be located in the Horn of Africa
• These expeditions, such as the famous expedition of Hatshepsut, brought back luxury goods (incense, ebony, ivory, and exotic animals)
• The trade with Punt contributed to Egypt's wealth and cultural exchange with the outside world

Influx of foreign goods and influences

• The expansion of the Egyptian Empire and the growth of international trade brought an influx of foreign goods and influences into Egypt
• Egyptian art and culture began to incorporate elements from the conquered regions, such as Nubian and Levantine motifs
• The presence of foreign populations in Egypt, such as Nubian mercenaries and Levantine craftsmen, also contributed to cultural exchange and diversity

Decline and fall of the New Kingdom

• Despite its power and prosperity, the New Kingdom eventually experienced a period of decline and instability that led to its ultimate collapse

Weakening of central authority

• In the later stages of the New Kingdom, the central authority of the pharaoh began to weaken
• Regional governors and powerful officials, such as the High Priests of Amun, gained increasing autonomy and influence
• This decentralization of power undermined the stability and unity of the Egyptian state

Rise of the priesthood of Amun

• The priesthood of Amun, based in Thebes, grew increasingly powerful during the New Kingdom
• The wealth and influence of the Amun cult rivaled that of the pharaoh, leading to tensions and power struggles
• The rise of the priesthood of Amun contributed to the weakening of the pharaoh's authority and the fragmentation of the state

Foreign invasions and loss of territories

• In the later New Kingdom, Egypt faced increasing threats from foreign powers, particularly the Sea Peoples and the Libyans
• The Sea Peoples, a confederation of maritime raiders, attacked Egypt's coastal cities and contributed to the collapse of the Hittite Empire
• Egypt also lost control over its territories in the Levant and Nubia, as local rulers asserted their independence

Division of the country and end of the New Kingdom era

• The combination of internal instability, foreign threats, and the loss of territories led to the division of Egypt into smaller, competing states
• The country split into the northern 21st Dynasty, based in Tanis, and the southern 22nd Dynasty, based in Thebes
• This division marked the end of the New Kingdom era and ushered in the Third Intermediate Period, a time of political fragmentation and foreign domination