The Ancient Kingdoms of Egypt

The New Kingdom, or Empire (1567-1085 B.C.). The Hyksos were expelled by Amosis. (Ahmose), who reunited all of Egypt under his control and was the recognized founder of the New Kingdom. The mighty pharaos came into power once again.

The succeeding line of pharaohs was again bestowed with the strong, unlimited authority of the early pharaohs. They became absolutely strict in running the government and controlling officials of the kingdom. They formed mighty combat forces composed of an army and navy that, for the first time, used weapons made of iron. Horse-drawn chariots of war were also utilized.

This stage of the New Kingdom was important, because it was during this time Egypt became an empire, with vast territories extending to western Asia.

Because of the belief that the pharaoh was a god, he could not marry an ordinary person. It was just right, therefore, that he should marry someone of the same stature.

Often, the pharaohs married his sister – which was the case with Thutmose II and his wife, Hatshepsut.

WHen Thutmose II died, his son, Thutmose III, succeeded him. But on the second year of his reign, Queen Hatshepsut had herself crowned as pharaoh. Despite the attendant controversies, she proved to be a capable leader. She gave more importance to the welfare of the kingdom rather than to warfare. During the reign of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt became extremely influential and was able to open trade with more foreign countries.

Thutmose III succeeded his mother upon his death. He was known for his ambitious projects and successful conquests of other countries. As pharaoh, Thutmose III extended the Empire’s boundaries, which stretched from the Euphrates River to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

Many more pharaohs came into powers during the New Kingdom. We have come to know several of them through their remains, found on pyramids. The most famous example, perhaps, is Tutankhamen, whose coffin was discovered is 1922. 

Tutankhamen / Courtesy: Flickr

Another pharaoh – Amenhotep IV – tried to strengthen monotheism, or the belief in only one god. From 1377-1358 B.C., Amenhotep encouraged the worship of his personal god, Aton, the “Divine Sun Disk”. At other gods and goddesses inside the kingdom. After his death, the religion he established did not last much longer.

Amenhotep IV / Courtesy: Flickr

Ramses II, who lives around 1300 B.C., is said to have been the much-feared pharaoh of the Biblical Exodus. Early in his reign, he led the Egyptian army against the powerful Hitties and married one of their kind. A hundred years after Ramses II, Egypt was beset by internal conflicts and started on a period of decline. The temple priests had become richer and more powerful; soon, they had made themselves kings, and Egypt began breaking up into small states. Thus, it was Ethiopians, Nubians, and Libyans – and by emerging powers like the Assyrians, Persians, and Greeks.

Ramses II / Courtesy: Flickr