Difference between revisions of "New Kingdom of Egypt" - New World Encyclopedia

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[[Image:Ancient Egypt.JPG|thumb|right|275px|Map of Ancient Egypt]]
 
[[Image:Ancient Egypt.JPG|thumb|right|275px|Map of Ancient Egypt]]
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The '''New Kingdom''' is the period in [[ancient Egypt]]ian history between the [[16th century B.C.E.]] and the [[11th century B.C.E.]], covering the [[Eighteenth dynasty of Egypt|Eighteenth]], [[Nineteenth dynasty of Egypt|Nineteenth]], and [[Twentieth dynasty of Egypt|Twentieth Dynasties of Egypt]]. The New Kingdom (1570–1070 B.C.E.) followed the [[Second Intermediate Period of Egypt|Second Intermediate Period]], and was succeeded by the [[Third Intermediate Period of Egypt|Third Intermediate Period]]. More is known about this period than about earlier periods of Egyptian history and almost all of the Pharaoh’s mummies have been found. At the greatest, the New kingdom stretched from Nubia in the South to the [[Euphrates]] in the North. <ref>Overy, p 58</ref>Some of the most famous of all the Pharaohs, such as [[Ramesses II]] and [[Akhenaten]] who tried to introduce monotheism, lived during the New Kingdom. As with the two other periods of Egyptian history known as ‘Kingdoms’ this one ended with a breakdown of central authority. It also ended with threats from the Kush in the South and from the Assyrians in the North. The New Kingdom was followed by the first major series of foreign dynasties, including the 23rd from Mibya, the 25th from Nubia and the Persians dynasties (27th-30th) until Egypt fell to [[Alexander the Great]] in 332 B.C.E.   Although archeology is still uncovering new data on Ancient Egypt, one result of the end of Egyptian independence was that much knowledge, as well as aspects of Egyptian religion, became the common property of the Mediterranean world, making a valuable contribution of the [[Classic Age|Classical Legacy]] to which the rest of the world and modernity itself owes so much.  
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The '''New Kingdom''' is the period in [[ancient Egypt]]ian history between the [[sixteenth century B.C.E.]] and the [[eleventh century B.C.E.]], covering the [[Eighteenth dynasty of Egypt|Eighteenth]], [[Nineteenth dynasty of Egypt|Nineteenth]], and [[Twentieth dynasty of Egypt|Twentieth Dynasties of Egypt]]. The New Kingdom (1570–1070 B.C.E.) followed the [[Second Intermediate Period of Egypt|Second Intermediate Period]], and was succeeded by the [[Third Intermediate Period of Egypt|Third Intermediate Period]]. More is known about this period than about earlier periods of Egyptian history and almost all of the Pharaoh’s mummies have been found. At the greatest, the New kingdom stretched from Nubia in the South to the [[Euphrates]] in the North.<ref>Overy, 58</ref> Some of the most famous of all the Pharaohs, such as [[Ramesses II]] and [[Akhenaten]] who tried to introduce [[monotheism]], lived during the New Kingdom. As with the two other periods of Egyptian history known as ‘Kingdoms’ this one ended with a breakdown of central authority. It also ended with threats from the Kush in the South and from the Assyrians in the North. The New Kingdom was followed by the first major series of foreign dynasties, including the 23rd from Mibya, the 25th from Nubia and the Persians dynasties (27th-30th) until Egypt fell to [[Alexander the Great]] in 332 B.C.E. Although archeology is still uncovering new data on Ancient Egypt, one result of the end of Egyptian independence was that much knowledge, as well as aspects of Egyptian [[religion]], became the common property of the Mediterranean world, making a valuable contribution of the [[Classic Age|Classical Legacy]] to which the rest of the world and modernity itself owes so much.  
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{{toc}}
 
==Background==
 
==Background==
 
Possibly as a result of the foreign rule of the [[Hyksos]] during the Second Intermediate Period, the New Kingdom saw Egypt attempt to create a buffer between the Levant and Egypt, and attain its greatest territorial extent. It expanded far south into [[Nubia]] and held wide territories in the [[Near East]]. Egyptian armies fought [[Hittites|Hittite]] armies for control of modern-day [[Syria]].
 
Possibly as a result of the foreign rule of the [[Hyksos]] during the Second Intermediate Period, the New Kingdom saw Egypt attempt to create a buffer between the Levant and Egypt, and attain its greatest territorial extent. It expanded far south into [[Nubia]] and held wide territories in the [[Near East]]. Egyptian armies fought [[Hittites|Hittite]] armies for control of modern-day [[Syria]].
  
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The New Kingdom begins with the Eighteenth Dynasty, when its founder, Ahmose I put an end to Hyksos rule around about 1550 B.C.E. and over two-hundred years of foreign domination. The 18th dynasty contained some of Egypt's most famous [[Pharaoh]]s including [[Ahmose I]], [[Hapshepsut]], [[Thutmose III]], [[Amenhotep III]], [[Akhenaten]] and [[Tutankhamun]]. Queen Hatshepsut concentrated on expanding Egypt's external trade, sending a commercial expedition to the [[land of Punt]]. Thutmose III ("the [[Napoleon I of France|Napoleon]] of Egypt") expanded Egypt's army and wielded it with great success. The Biblical [[Exodus]] of the Hebews took place at some point during this era, even if Rameses II is not the Pharaoh depicted in the Bible.  
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The New Kingdom begins with the Eighteenth Dynasty, when its founder, Ahmose I put an end to Hyksos rule around about 1550 B.C.E. and over two-hundred years of foreign domination. The Eighteenth Dynasty contained some of Egypt's most famous [[Pharaoh]]s including [[Ahmose I]], [[Hapshepsut]], [[Thutmose III]], [[Amenhotep III]], [[Akhenaten]] and [[Tutankhamun]]. Queen Hatshepsut concentrated on expanding Egypt's external trade, sending a commercial expedition to the [[land of Punt]]. Thutmose III ("the [[Napoleon I of France|Napoleon]] of Egypt") expanded Egypt's army and wielded it with great success. The Biblical [[Exodus]] of the Hebews took place at some point during this era, even if Rameses II is not the Pharaoh depicted in the Bible.  
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[[Image:Temple Ramesses II Abu Simbel.jpg|thumb|right|Temple of Rameses II at Abu Simbel, a [[UNESCO]] World Heritage Site]]
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[[Image:Temple Ramesses II Abu Simbel.jpg|thumb|right|Temple of Rameses II at Abu Simbel, a [[UNESCO]] World Heritage Site.]]
  
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One of the best-known 18th Dynasty pharaohs is [[Amenhotep IV]], who changed his name to [[Akhenaten]] in honor of the [[Aten]] and whose exclusive worship of the Aten is often interpreted as history's first instance of [[monotheism]] (and was argued in [[Sigmund Freud]]'s ''Moses and Monotheism'' to have been the ultimate origin of [[Jew]]ish monotheism). <ref> Freud, Sigmund ''Moses and Monotheism'', NY: Vintage, 1959 (original, 1939)ISBN 978-0394700144</ref> Akhenaten's religious fervor is cited as the reason why he was subsequently written out of Egyptian history. Under his reign, in the [[14th century B.C.E.]], Egyptian art flourished and attained an unprecedented level of realism.
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One of the best-known Eighteenth Dynasty pharaohs is [[Amenhotep IV]], who changed his name to [[Akhenaten]] in honor of the [[Aten]] and whose exclusive worship of the Aten is often interpreted as history's first instance of [[monotheism]] (and was argued in [[Sigmund Freud]]'s ''Moses and Monotheism'' to have been the ultimate origin of [[Jew]]ish monotheism).<ref> Sigmund Freud, ''Moses and Monotheism'' (NY: Vintage, 1959 (original, 1939), ISBN 978-0394700144).</ref> Akhenaten's religious fervor is cited as the reason why he was subsequently written out of Egyptian history. Under his reign, in the [[fourteenth century B.C.E.]], Egyptian art flourished and attained an unprecedented level of realism.
  
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Another celebrated pharaoh is [[Ramesses II]] ("the Great") of the 19th Dynasty, who sought to recover territories in the [[Levant]] that had been held by 18th Dynasty Egypt. His campaigns of reconquest culminated in the [[Battle of Kadesh]], where he led Egyptian armies against those of the Hittite king [[Muwatalli II]] and was caught in history's first recorded military ambush. Ramesses II was famed for the huge number of children he sired by his various wives and [[concubine]]s; the [[KV5|tomb]] he built for his sons, many of whom he outlived, in the [[Valley of the Kings]] has proven to be the largest funerary complex in Egypt. Egypt was probably most prosperous under Rameses II. Still greater military ability, if less self-promotion, was shown by [[Ramesses III]].
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Another celebrated pharaoh is [[Ramesses II]] ("the Great") of the Nineteenth Dynasty, who sought to recover territories in the [[Levant]] that had been held by Eighteenth Dynasty Egypt. His campaigns of reconquest culminated in the [[Battle of Kadesh]], where he led Egyptian armies against those of the Hittite king [[Muwatalli II]] and was caught in history's first recorded military ambush. Ramesses II was famed for the huge number of children he sired by his various wives and [[concubine]]s; the [[KV5|tomb]] he built for his sons, many of whom he outlived, in the [[Valley of the Kings]] has proven to be the largest funerary complex in Egypt. Egypt was probably most prosperous under Rameses II. Still greater military ability, if less self-promotion, was shown by [[Ramesses III]].
  
 
==Decline==
 
==Decline==
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As with the two previous periods known as Kingdoms, the New Kingdom declined when central authority grew weak and regional authority grew stronger. The Pharaohs’ power was also weakened by the rise in influence of the High Priests of Amun at Thebes, who founded the 21st dynasty at the start the [[Third Intermediate Period]] although their rule did not cover the whole of Egypt due to the autonomy of local nomarchs (regional rulers). Technically, the Pharaohs were High Priests and appointed Deputies – quite often of royal blood - to act for them. However, during the Second Intermediate Period the power of the appointed Priest increased, and continued to do so throughout the New Kingdom and by the end of the 20th dynasty he was effectively ruling Egypt. During the 18th dynasty, [[Thutmose I]] tried to limit the High Priest’s role to religious affairs and a lay administrator was appointed. <ref> “The priests of Amen-Re and the Theban Kings: The growing power of the priesthood during the New Kingdom” [http://nefertiti.iwebland.com/priests_of_amen.htm The priests of Amen-Re and the Theban Kings: the growing power of the priesthood during the New kingdom] Retrieved November 7, 2007.</ref>.
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As with the two previous periods known as Kingdoms, the New Kingdom declined when central authority grew weak and regional authority grew stronger. The Pharaohs’ power was also weakened by the rise in influence of the High Priests of Amun at Thebes, who founded the 21st dynasty at the start the [[Third Intermediate Period]] although their rule did not cover the whole of Egypt due to the autonomy of local nomarchs (regional rulers). Technically, the Pharaohs were High Priests and appointed Deputies&mdash;quite often of royal blood&mdash;to act for them. However, during the Second Intermediate Period the power of the appointed Priest increased, and continued to do so throughout the New Kingdom and by the end of the 20th dynasty he was effectively ruling Egypt. During the 18th dynasty, [[Thutmose I]] tried to limit the High Priest’s role to religious affairs and a lay administrator was appointed.<ref> “The priests of Amen-Re and the Theban Kings: The growing power of the priesthood during the New Kingdom” [http://nefertiti.iwebland.com/priests_of_amen.htm The priests of Amen-Re and the Theban Kings: the growing power of the priesthood during the New kingdom] Retrieved February 15, 2008.</ref>
  
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The 23rd dynasty was started by a noble family of Libyan descent, while the 25th dynasty was founded by a Kush family from Nubia, who first rebelled then seized control of a significant portion of Egypt. The Assyrians had been threatening Egypt from the North for some time and in ‘the first half of the seventh century’ B.C.E. they ‘penetrated Egypt], exercising ‘power through local vassals’ <ref>Agnese and Re, p 22</ref>. Although the 26th dynasty succeeded in throwing off foreign domination and revived Egyptian culture with canal building and possibly circumnavigating [[Africa]], Egypt’s days of independence were numbered and by 522 B.C.E. Egypt was under Assyrian rule, followed by the Persians, the Greeks and finally by the Romans.
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The 23rd dynasty was started by a noble family of Libyan descent, while the 25th dynasty was founded by a Kush family from Nubia, who first rebelled then seized control of a significant portion of Egypt. The Assyrians had been threatening Egypt from the North for some time and in ‘the first half of the seventh century’ B.C.E. they ‘penetrated Egypt, exercising ‘power through local vassals’.<ref>Agnese and Re, 22</ref> Although the 26th dynasty succeeded in throwing off foreign domination and revived Egyptian culture with canal building and possibly circumnavigating [[Africa]], Egypt’s days of independence were numbered and by 522 B.C.E. Egypt was under Assyrian rule, followed by the Persians, the Greeks and finally by the Romans.
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[[Image:Luxor, Tal der Könige, Grab von Thutmosis III. (1, 1995, 800x570).jpg|right|thumb|200px|Tomb KV11 ([[Thutmose III]] in the Valley of the Kings]]
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[[Image:Luxor, Tal der Könige, Grab von Thutmosis III. (1, 1995, 800x570).jpg|right|thumb|200px|Tomb KV11 ([[Thutmose III]] in the Valley of the Kings]])
  
 
==Legacy==
 
==Legacy==
  
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The architectural legacy of the New Kingdom includes some of the best known ancient monuments, such as the Valleys of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens and Abu Simbel, built by the great Rameses II and dedicated to himself and to his Queen, Nefertiti. While the lesson that national unity equaled national prosperity was not properly learned despite the evidence of history and this kingdom, as had the two previous kingdom-eras, ended in disunity and decline, one positive result was that the Greek and Roman conquerors found Egyptian civilization so rich that they helped to diffuse much mathematical, geographical, navigational knowledge, as well as Egyptian religious beliefs, within the ancient Mediterranean world. The Egyptians excelled at surveying and mapping, for example in which they were much more advanced than the Greeks. The city of Alexandria became a bridge between [[Ancient Egypt]] and the [[Classic Age|World of the Classical Age]] and “these traditions were combined … giving rise to new forms, partly because the ancient religion was always respected and tolerated by the conquerors” <ref>Agnese and Re, p 23</ref>.  The cults of [[Isis]] and of [[Osiris]] spread and aspects of Egyptian Mystery religion may have influenced the development of Christian theology, some claim even the story of [[Jesus of Nazareth]] as it developed in various gospel accounts. <ref>Heinberg, Richard ”In Search of the Historical Jesus,” ''New Dawn'' Magazine, No 50, September-October, 1998 [http://www.newdawnmagazine.com/Article/In_Search_of_the_Historical_Jesus.html In Search of the Historical Jesus] Retrieved November 7, 2007. </ref>
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The architectural legacy of the New Kingdom includes some of the best known ancient monuments, such as the [[Valleys of the Kings]], the Valley of the Queens and Abu Simbel, built by the great Rameses II and dedicated to himself and to his Queen, Nefertiti. While the lesson that national unity equaled national prosperity was not properly learned despite the evidence of history and this kingdom, as had the two previous kingdom-eras, ended in disunity and decline, one positive result was that the Greek and Roman conquerors found Egyptian civilization so rich that they helped to diffuse much mathematical, geographical, navigational knowledge, as well as Egyptian religious beliefs, within the ancient Mediterranean world. The Egyptians excelled at surveying and mapping, for example in which they were much more advanced than the Greeks. The city of Alexandria became a bridge between [[Ancient Egypt]] and the [[Classic Age|World of the Classical Age]] and “these traditions were combined… giving rise to new forms, partly because the ancient religion was always respected and tolerated by the conquerors.”<ref>Agnese and Re, 23</ref> The cults of [[Isis]] and of [[Osiris]] spread and aspects of Egyptian Mystery religion may have influenced the development of Christian theology, some claim even the story of [[Jesus of Nazareth]] as it developed in various gospel accounts.<ref>Richard Heinberg, ”In Search of the Historical Jesus,” ''New Dawn'' Magazine, No 50, September-October, 1998, [http://www.newdawnmagazine.com/Article/In_Search_of_the_Historical_Jesus.html In Search of the Historical Jesus] Retrieved February 15, 2008. </ref>
  
 
==Timeline==
 
==Timeline==
 
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<timeline>
 
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  align:center textcolor:black fontsize:8 mark:(line,black) width:25 shift:(0,-5)
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align:center textcolor:black fontsize:8 mark:(line,black) width:25 shift:(0,-5)
−
  bar:eon color:eon
+
bar:eon color:eon
  
−
  from: -1550   till:   -1292   color: 18   text:[[Eighteenth dynasty of Egypt]]
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from: -1550 till: -1292 color: 18 text:[[Eighteenth dynasty of Egypt]]
−
  from: -1292   till:   -1185   color: 19   text:[[Nineteenth dynasty of Egypt]]
+
from: -1292 till: -1185 color: 19 text:[[Nineteenth dynasty of Egypt]]
−
  from: -1186   till:   -1072   color: 20   text:[[Twentieth dynasty of Egypt]]
+
from: -1186 till: -1072 color: 20 text:[[Twentieth dynasty of Egypt]]
  
−
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+
width:5 align:left fontsize:S shift:(5,-4) anchor:till
−
  barset:Rulers
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barset:Rulers
  
−
  from: -1550 till: -1525 color:18 text:"[[Ahmose I]]"
+
from: -1550 till: -1525 color:18 text:"[[Ahmose I]]"
−
  from: -1525 till: -1504 color:18 text:"[[Amenhotep I]]"
+
from: -1525 till: -1504 color:18 text:"[[Amenhotep I]]"
−
  from: -1504 till: -1492 color:18 text:"[[Thutmose I]]"
+
from: -1504 till: -1492 color:18 text:"[[Thutmose I]]"
−
  from: -1492 till: -1479 color:18 text:"[[Thutmose II]]"
+
from: -1492 till: -1479 color:18 text:"[[Thutmose II]]"
−
  from: -1479 till: -1425 color:18 text:"[[Thutmose III]]"
+
from: -1479 till: -1425 color:18 text:"[[Thutmose III]]"
−
  from: -1479 till: -1457 color:18 text:"[[Hatshepsut]]"
+
from: -1479 till: -1457 color:18 text:"[[Hatshepsut]]"
−
  from: -1425 till: -1399 color:18 text:"[[Amenhotep II]]"
+
from: -1425 till: -1399 color:18 text:"[[Amenhotep II]]"
−
  from: -1399 till: -1389 color:18 text:"[[Thutmose IV]]"
+
from: -1399 till: -1389 color:18 text:"[[Thutmose IV]]"
−
  from: -1389 till: -1351 color:18 text:"[[Amenhotep III]]"
+
from: -1389 till: -1351 color:18 text:"[[Amenhotep III]]"
−
  from: -1351 till: -1344 color:18 text:"[[Akhenaten]]"
+
from: -1351 till: -1344 color:18 text:"[[Akhenaten]]"
−
  from: -1336 till: -1334 color:18 text:"[[Smenkhkare]]"
+
from: -1336 till: -1334 color:18 text:"[[Smenkhkare]]"
−
  from: -1334 till: -1325 color:18 text:"[[Tutankhamun]]"
+
from: -1334 till: -1325 color:18 text:"[[Tutankhamun]]"
−
  from: -1325 till: -1321 color:18 text:"[[Ay]]"
+
from: -1325 till: -1321 color:18 text:"[[Ay]]"
−
  from: -1321 till: -1292 color:18 text:"[[Horemheb]]"
+
from: -1321 till: -1292 color:18 text:"[[Horemheb]]"
  
−
  from: -1292 till: -1290 color:19 text:"[[Ramesses I]] (1292 B.C.E. &ndash; 1290 B.C.E.)"
+
from: -1292 till: -1290 color:19 text:"[[Ramesses I]] (1292 B.C.E. - 1290 B.C.E.)"
−
  from: -1290 till: -1279 color:19 text:"[[Seti I]] (1290 B.C.E. &ndash; 1279 B.C.E.)"
+
from: -1290 till: -1279 color:19 text:"[[Seti I]] (1290 B.C.E. - 1279 B.C.E.)"
−
  from: -1279 till: -1213 color:19 text:"[[Ramesses II|Ramesses the Great]] (1279 B.C.E. &ndash; 1213 B.C.E.)"
+
from: -1279 till: -1213 color:19 text:"[[Ramesses II|Ramesses the Great]] (1279 B.C.E. - 1213 B.C.E.)"
−
  from: -1213 till: -1203 color:19 text:"[[Merneptah]] (1213 B.C.E. &ndash; 1203 B.C.E.)"
+
from: -1213 till: -1203 color:19 text:"[[Merneptah]] (1213 B.C.E. - 1203 B.C.E.)"
−
  from: -1203 till: -1199 color:19 text:"[[Amenmesse]] (1203 B.C.E. &ndash; 1199 B.C.E.)"
+
from: -1203 till: -1199 color:19 text:"[[Amenmesse]] (1203 B.C.E. - 1199 B.C.E.)"
−
  from: -1199 till: -1193 color:19 text:"[[Seti II]] (1199 B.C.E. &ndash; 1193 B.C.E.)"
+
from: -1199 till: -1193 color:19 text:"[[Seti II]] (1199 B.C.E. - 1193 B.C.E.)"
−
  from: -1193 till: -1187 color:19 text:"[[Siptah]] (1193 B.C.E. &ndash; 1187 B.C.E.)"
+
from: -1193 till: -1187 color:19 text:"[[Siptah]] (1193 B.C.E. - 1187 B.C.E.)"
−
  from: -1187 till: -1185 color:19 text:"[[Twosret]] (1187 B.C.E. &ndash; 1185 B.C.E.)"
+
from: -1187 till: -1185 color:19 text:"[[Twosret]] (1187 B.C.E. - 1185 B.C.E.)"
  
−
  from: -1186 till: -1183 color:20 text:"[[Setnakhte]]"
+
from: -1186 till: -1183 color:20 text:"[[Setnakhte]]"
−
  from: -1183 till: -1152 color:20 text:"[[Ramesses III]]"
+
from: -1183 till: -1152 color:20 text:"[[Ramesses III]]"
−
  from: -1152 till: -1146 color:20 text:"[[Ramesses IV]]"
+
from: -1152 till: -1146 color:20 text:"[[Ramesses IV]]"
−
  from: -1146 till: -1142 color:20 text:"[[Ramesses V]]"
+
from: -1146 till: -1142 color:20 text:"[[Ramesses V]]"
−
  from: -1142 till: -1134 color:20 text:"[[Ramesses VI]]"
+
from: -1142 till: -1134 color:20 text:"[[Ramesses VI]]"
−
  from: -1134 till: -1129 color:20 text:"[[Ramesses VII]]"
+
from: -1134 till: -1129 color:20 text:"[[Ramesses VII]]"
−
  from: -1129 till: -1125 color:20 text:"[[Ramesses VIII]]"
+
from: -1129 till: -1125 color:20 text:"[[Ramesses VIII]]"
−
  from: -1125 till: -1107 color:20 text:"[[Ramesses IX]]"
+
from: -1125 till: -1107 color:20 text:"[[Ramesses IX]]"
−
  from: -1107 till: -1103 color:20 text:"[[Ramesses X]]"
+
from: -1107 till: -1103 color:20 text:"[[Ramesses X]]"
−
  from: -1103 till: -1072 color:20 text:"[[Ramesses XI]]"
+
from: -1103 till: -1072 color:20 text:"[[Ramesses XI]]"
  
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  barset:skip
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barset:skip
 
</timeline>
 
</timeline>
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
 
*[[Ancient Egypt]]
 
*[[Ancient Egypt]]
 +
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
−
* Agnese, Giorgio and Re, Maurizio ''Ancient Egypt: Art and Archeology of the Land of the Pharaohs'', NY: Barnes & Noble, 2003 ISBN 9780760783801  
+
* Agnese, Giorgio and Re, Maurizio. ''Ancient Egypt: Art and Archeology of the Land of the Pharaohs''. NY: Barnes & Noble, 2003. ISBN 9780760783801  
−
* Morris, Ellen Fowles. ''The Architecture of Imperialism Military Bases and the Evolution of Foreign Policy in Egypt's New Kingdom''. Probleme der Ägyptologie, 22. Bd. Leiden: Brill, 2005 ISBN 9789004140363
+
* Metropolitan Museum of Art. ''The Scepter of Egypt The Hyksos Period and the New Kingdom''. Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1990. ISBN 9780300091601
 +
* Morris, Ellen Fowles. ''The Architecture of Imperialism Military Bases and the Evolution of Foreign Policy in Egypt's New Kingdom''. Probleme der Ägyptologie, 22. Bd. Leiden: Brill, 2005.
 +
* Overy, Richard. ''The Times Complete Atlas of World History'', 6th ed. NY: Barnes & Noble, 2004.
 
* Thomas, Susanna.'' Rameses II Pharaoh of the New Kingdom''. Leaders of ancient Egypt. New York, N.Y.: Rosen Pub. Group, 2003. ISBN 9780823935970
 
* Thomas, Susanna.'' Rameses II Pharaoh of the New Kingdom''. Leaders of ancient Egypt. New York, N.Y.: Rosen Pub. Group, 2003. ISBN 9780823935970
−
• Metropolitan Museum of Art ''The Scepter of Egypt The Hyksos Period and the New Kingdom''. Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1990 ISBN 9780300091601
 
−
* Overy, Richard ''The Times Complete Atlas of World History'', NY: Barnes & Noble, (6th ed) 2004 ISBN 076077840X
 
 
* Warburton, David. ''State and Economy in Ancient Egypt: Fiscal Vocabulary of the New Kingdom''. Orbis biblicus et orientalis, 151. Fribourg, Switzerland: University Press, 1997 ISBN 9783525537879
 
* Warburton, David. ''State and Economy in Ancient Egypt: Fiscal Vocabulary of the New Kingdom''. Orbis biblicus et orientalis, 151. Fribourg, Switzerland: University Press, 1997 ISBN 9783525537879
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
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* [http://www.on-the-matrix.com/mideast/NewKingdom.asp Middle East on the Matrix: Egypt, The New Kingdom] &mdash; Photographs of many of the historic sites dating from the New Kingdom. Retrieved November 7, 2007.
+
All links retrieved November 11, 2022.
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* [http://www.pbs.org/empires/egypt/newkingdom/index.html PBS Overview – New Kingdom] Retrieved November 7, 2007.
+
 
 +
* [http://www.pbs.org/empires/egypt/newkingdom/index.html PBS Overview – New Kingdom]
  
 
[[Category:History]]
 
[[Category:History]]
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[[Category:geography]]
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{{Ancient Egypt topics}}
 
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Latest revision as of 16:32, 11 November 2022

Map of Ancient Egypt

The New Kingdom is the period in ancient Egyptian history between the sixteenth century B.C.E. and the eleventh century B.C.E., covering the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and Twentieth Dynasties of Egypt. The New Kingdom (1570–1070 B.C.E.) followed the Second Intermediate Period, and was succeeded by the Third Intermediate Period. More is known about this period than about earlier periods of Egyptian history and almost all of the Pharaoh’s mummies have been found. At the greatest, the New kingdom stretched from Nubia in the South to the Euphrates in the North.[1] Some of the most famous of all the Pharaohs, such as Ramesses II and Akhenaten who tried to introduce monotheism, lived during the New Kingdom. As with the two other periods of Egyptian history known as ‘Kingdoms’ this one ended with a breakdown of central authority. It also ended with threats from the Kush in the South and from the Assyrians in the North. The New Kingdom was followed by the first major series of foreign dynasties, including the 23rd from Mibya, the 25th from Nubia and the Persians dynasties (27th-30th) until Egypt fell to Alexander the Great in 332 B.C.E. Although archeology is still uncovering new data on Ancient Egypt, one result of the end of Egyptian independence was that much knowledge, as well as aspects of Egyptian religion, became the common property of the Mediterranean world, making a valuable contribution of the Classical Legacy to which the rest of the world and modernity itself owes so much.

Background

Possibly as a result of the foreign rule of the Hyksos during the Second Intermediate Period, the New Kingdom saw Egypt attempt to create a buffer between the Levant and Egypt, and attain its greatest territorial extent. It expanded far south into Nubia and held wide territories in the Near East. Egyptian armies fought Hittite armies for control of modern-day Syria.

The New Kingdom begins with the Eighteenth Dynasty, when its founder, Ahmose I put an end to Hyksos rule around about 1550 B.C.E. and over two-hundred years of foreign domination. The Eighteenth Dynasty contained some of Egypt's most famous Pharaohs including Ahmose I, Hapshepsut, Thutmose III, Amenhotep III, Akhenaten and Tutankhamun. Queen Hatshepsut concentrated on expanding Egypt's external trade, sending a commercial expedition to the land of Punt. Thutmose III ("the Napoleon of Egypt") expanded Egypt's army and wielded it with great success. The Biblical Exodus of the Hebews took place at some point during this era, even if Rameses II is not the Pharaoh depicted in the Bible.

Temple of Rameses II at Abu Simbel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

One of the best-known Eighteenth Dynasty pharaohs is Amenhotep IV, who changed his name to Akhenaten in honor of the Aten and whose exclusive worship of the Aten is often interpreted as history's first instance of monotheism (and was argued in Sigmund Freud's Moses and Monotheism to have been the ultimate origin of Jewish monotheism).[2] Akhenaten's religious fervor is cited as the reason why he was subsequently written out of Egyptian history. Under his reign, in the fourteenth century B.C.E., Egyptian art flourished and attained an unprecedented level of realism.

Another celebrated pharaoh is Ramesses II ("the Great") of the Nineteenth Dynasty, who sought to recover territories in the Levant that had been held by Eighteenth Dynasty Egypt. His campaigns of reconquest culminated in the Battle of Kadesh, where he led Egyptian armies against those of the Hittite king Muwatalli II and was caught in history's first recorded military ambush. Ramesses II was famed for the huge number of children he sired by his various wives and concubines; the tomb he built for his sons, many of whom he outlived, in the Valley of the Kings has proven to be the largest funerary complex in Egypt. Egypt was probably most prosperous under Rameses II. Still greater military ability, if less self-promotion, was shown by Ramesses III.

Decline

As with the two previous periods known as Kingdoms, the New Kingdom declined when central authority grew weak and regional authority grew stronger. The Pharaohs’ power was also weakened by the rise in influence of the High Priests of Amun at Thebes, who founded the 21st dynasty at the start the Third Intermediate Period although their rule did not cover the whole of Egypt due to the autonomy of local nomarchs (regional rulers). Technically, the Pharaohs were High Priests and appointed Deputies—quite often of royal blood—to act for them. However, during the Second Intermediate Period the power of the appointed Priest increased, and continued to do so throughout the New Kingdom and by the end of the 20th dynasty he was effectively ruling Egypt. During the 18th dynasty, Thutmose I tried to limit the High Priest’s role to religious affairs and a lay administrator was appointed.[3]

The 23rd dynasty was started by a noble family of Libyan descent, while the 25th dynasty was founded by a Kush family from Nubia, who first rebelled then seized control of a significant portion of Egypt. The Assyrians had been threatening Egypt from the North for some time and in ‘the first half of the seventh century’ B.C.E. they ‘penetrated Egypt, exercising ‘power through local vassals’.[4] Although the 26th dynasty succeeded in throwing off foreign domination and revived Egyptian culture with canal building and possibly circumnavigating Africa, Egypt’s days of independence were numbered and by 522 B.C.E. Egypt was under Assyrian rule, followed by the Persians, the Greeks and finally by the Romans.

Tomb KV11 (Thutmose III in the Valley of the Kings

)

Legacy

The architectural legacy of the New Kingdom includes some of the best known ancient monuments, such as the Valleys of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens and Abu Simbel, built by the great Rameses II and dedicated to himself and to his Queen, Nefertiti. While the lesson that national unity equaled national prosperity was not properly learned despite the evidence of history and this kingdom, as had the two previous kingdom-eras, ended in disunity and decline, one positive result was that the Greek and Roman conquerors found Egyptian civilization so rich that they helped to diffuse much mathematical, geographical, navigational knowledge, as well as Egyptian religious beliefs, within the ancient Mediterranean world. The Egyptians excelled at surveying and mapping, for example in which they were much more advanced than the Greeks. The city of Alexandria became a bridge between Ancient Egypt and the World of the Classical Age and “these traditions were combined… giving rise to new forms, partly because the ancient religion was always respected and tolerated by the conquerors.”[5] The cults of Isis and of Osiris spread and aspects of Egyptian Mystery religion may have influenced the development of Christian theology, some claim even the story of Jesus of Nazareth as it developed in various gospel accounts.[6]

Timeline

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Overy, 58
  2. ↑ Sigmund Freud, Moses and Monotheism (NY: Vintage, 1959 (original, 1939), ISBN 978-0394700144).
  3. ↑ “The priests of Amen-Re and the Theban Kings: The growing power of the priesthood during the New Kingdom” The priests of Amen-Re and the Theban Kings: the growing power of the priesthood during the New kingdom Retrieved February 15, 2008.
  4. ↑ Agnese and Re, 22
  5. ↑ Agnese and Re, 23
  6. ↑ Richard Heinberg, ”In Search of the Historical Jesus,” New Dawn Magazine, No 50, September-October, 1998, In Search of the Historical Jesus Retrieved February 15, 2008.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Agnese, Giorgio and Re, Maurizio. Ancient Egypt: Art and Archeology of the Land of the Pharaohs. NY: Barnes & Noble, 2003. ISBN 9780760783801
  • Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Scepter of Egypt The Hyksos Period and the New Kingdom. Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1990. ISBN 9780300091601
  • Morris, Ellen Fowles. The Architecture of Imperialism Military Bases and the Evolution of Foreign Policy in Egypt's New Kingdom. Probleme der Ägyptologie, 22. Bd. Leiden: Brill, 2005.
  • Overy, Richard. The Times Complete Atlas of World History, 6th ed. NY: Barnes & Noble, 2004.
  • Thomas, Susanna. Rameses II Pharaoh of the New Kingdom. Leaders of ancient Egypt. New York, N.Y.: Rosen Pub. Group, 2003. ISBN 9780823935970
  • Warburton, David. State and Economy in Ancient Egypt: Fiscal Vocabulary of the New Kingdom. Orbis biblicus et orientalis, 151. Fribourg, Switzerland: University Press, 1997 ISBN 9783525537879

External links

All links retrieved November 11, 2022.

Ancient Egypt topics
All the Giza pyramids

Architecture · Art · Burial customs · Cuisine · Mathematics · Medicine · Religion · Pharaohs · Language · Technology

Writing · Egyptian hieroglyphs · Cursive hieroglyphs · Demotic · Hieratic

History · Old Kingdom of Egypt · Middle Kingdom of Egypt · New Kingdom of Egypt

Egyptology · Egyptian Book of the Dead · Egyptian Museum

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