Egypt – The New Kingdom

The End of the Middle Kingdom

• Around 1670 B.C., the Middle Kingdom was invaded by outsiders known as Hyksos( Hyk-Sos) from Western Asia
• The Hyksos crossed the deserts on horse-drawn chariots and used weapons made of bronze and iron.
• Egyptians fought on foot with copper and stone weapons and were no match for the Hyksos.
• The Hyksos conquered Egypt and ruled for 150 years.

The New Kingdom

• The Hyksos ruled until around 1500 B.C., when the Egyptian prince Ahmose led a revolt to drive the Hyksos out of Egypt.
• Ahmose’s rule began a period known as the New Kingdom.
• During the period from 1550 B.C. to 1080 B.C., Egypt became richer and more powerful.
• Egyptians marched their armies into western Asia and brought other lands under control.
• During the New Kingdom, Egypt reached the height of its glory.

Hatshepsut

• Hatshepsut [HAT] + [SHEP] + [SOOT] was the first female ruler of Egypt.
• She was more interested in creating a trade empire than waging war.
• Trade grew during Hatshepsut’s reign.
• Traders exchanged beads, tools, and weapons for ivory, wood, leopard skins, and incense.

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Hatshepsut… cont.

• During her rule Egypt grew richer and more powerful.
• Money from trade was used to support arts and architecture
• She is known for her impressive Monuments
• One of her greatest projects was a great temple and tomb in the limestone cliffs of the Valley of the Kings.

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Thutmose III

• Thutmose III became pharaoh after Hatshepsut’s death.
• Began aggressive wars of conquest and expanded Egypt’s borders north into Mesopotamia and south into Nubia.
• Under Thutmose, Egypt controlled more land than it ever had.
• Claimed gold, copper, ivory and other valuable goods from conquered people.
• Enslaved many prisoners of war as slavery became widespread during the New Kingdom.

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Akhenaton - Threats to Tradition

• Akhenaton and his wife, Nefertiti tried to lead Egypt in a new direction.
• Introduced a new religion that swept away the old gods and goddesses.
• Called for worship of only one god called Aton.
• Reduced the priest’s power by seizing their lands and closing temples.

Queen�Nefertiti

Tutankhamen – King Tut

• Inherited the throne from Akhenaton when he was 10 years old.
• Relied on help from palace officials and priests who convinced him to restore the old religion.
• Ruled for only 9 years and died unexpectedly.
• King Tut is best known because his grave was found undisturbed and held incredible treasures.

Archaeologist, Howard Carter (1922)

Entrance to King “Tut’s” Tomb

King Tutankhamon’s Mask

1336-1327 B. C. E.

King Tutankhamon

King Tutankhamun’s Tomb

Treasures From Tut’s Tomb

Seti I – The Restorer of Egypt

• Re-established Egypt’s power after Akhenaten’s religious reforms.
• Rebuilt temples and restored traditional worship of the gods, with special emphasis on Amun.
• Undertook extensive repairs of monuments and sacred sites
• Led successful campaigns in Canaan, Syria, and Libya to secure Egypt’s borders and maintain control over its empire.

Ramses II

• Reigned for 66 years and regained lands in western Asia.
• Rebuilt the Egyptian empire and launched an ambitious building program, constructing major new temples.
• Most important monument built was at Abu Simbel.
• Many temples were built by enslaved people captured in war.

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Abu Simbel – A Monument to Ramses II

• Carved into a sandstone cliff.
• Features four colossal statues of Ramses II
• Each statue is approximately 20 meters (66 feet) tall.
• Inside, the temple contains halls and sanctuaries depicting Ramses’ military victories, including the Battle of Kadesh.

Merneptah – Defender of Egypt

• Focused on stabilizing Egypt’s economy after the expensive projects and campaigns of Ramses II.
• Successfully defended Egypt from invasions by the Sea Peoples, a confederation of maritime raiders threatening Mediterranean civilizations.
• Defeated the Libyans and their allies in a decisive battle, ensuring Egypt’s territorial integrity.
• Strengthened Egypt’s military infrastructure along its western border to counter further threats.

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Nubia

• The Kingdom of Nubia was located in Northeast Africa just south of Ancient Egypt.
• Egypt had conquered Nubia during the Middle Kingdom
• Egypt relied on Nubia’s gold, Nubia relied on Egyptian grain
• Nubians adopted many Egyptian cultures and the religion

Nubia… cont.

• By the end of the New Kingdom Nubia regained their lands and became an independent kingdom ruled by their own king
• In 751 BCE, King Piye of Kush conquered Egypt and declared himself Pharaoh.
• The Nubian King Piye continued conquering Egyptian cities until he declared himself Pharaoh over Nubia and Egypt
• Nubia tried to increase their land and fought with the Assyrians in the Fertile Crescent and lost (returned to Nubia and gave up Egypt)

The Assyrian Empire

• The Assyrian Empire, based in Mesopotamia, was one of the most powerful militaristic states in the ancient world.
• In 671 BCE, the Assyrians invaded Egypt, forcing the Kushites to retreat to Nubia.
• Egypt fell under Assyrian control for a period, though the Assyrians relied on local governors and did not conquer Nubia itself.
• The Assyrian invasion marked the end of the Kushite 25th Dynasty in Egypt.

Ancient Egypt after New Kingdom

• Toward the end of the New Kingdom, Egypt had declined. Civil war left Egypt weak and poorly defended.
• In 332 BC, Egypt fell to Alexander the Great of Macedonia.
• The Macedonians ruled Egypt for the next 300 years.
• In 51 BC, Queen Cleopatra became the last Macedonian to rule Egypt until it finally fell to the Romans.
• Fearing humiliation, Cleopatra committed suicide in 30 BC.