New Kingdom of Egypt

The Second Intermediate Period (c. 1782 – c.1570 BC)

With the end of the 13^th Dynasty, Egypt was divided between three powers: Hyksos to the north, Egyptian kings in Thebes, and Nubians to the south. The problems to the north started when the capital was moved from Itj-tawi to Thebes. Taking advantage of weak control in the north, the Hyksos established themselves in the city of Hutwaret (Avaris on Hellenic), which grew into a trading center under their control. The name Hyksos is of a Hellenic origin, but the name the Egyptians were using was Heqau-khasut, meaning “Rulers of Foreign Lands”. The identity or origin of the Hyksos is still unknown, as well as how and why they came to Egypt. There are different theories for this question among scholars.

Senusret III (c. 1878-1860 BC) conquered Nubia and built many fortifications with military garrisons there. In the 13^th Dynasty, no new soldiers were sent there but the ones that were already there were not recalled, so the garrisons became their home. As the central government in Thebes didn’t take care of the southern border, the Kingdom of Kush developed it, with its’ capital at Kerma. The people of this kingdom were calling themselves Kushites, while the Egyptians called them Nubians from the Egyptian word “nub” (gold).

Later writers tell that this was a time of chaos, but archeological finds dispute these claims. The relations between the three governmental centers were good and trade continued between them. The names of the kings from the late 13^th up until the 16^th Dynasty are from foreign origins. Thebes and Avaris were on peaceful terms up until the 17^th Dynasty. The Egyptian King Seqenenra Taa (c. 1580 BC) led an expedition to Avaris. The reason was an insult from the Hyksos. Seqenenra Taa died in a battle. His son Kamose (c. 1575 BC) also attacked the Hyksos and was very successful; however, the final blow came from his successor Ahmose I.

The 18^th Dynasty, Beginning of the New Kingdom (c. 1570- c.1069 BC)

Ahmose I (c. 1570-1544 BC) defeated the Hyksos in three battles, and united Egypt. His reign starts the 18^th Dynasty and the New Kingdom. He secured Egypt’s politics and power, and left stable rule for his successor, Amenhotep I (c. 1541-1520 BC). He continued his father’s politics and led few military campaigns in Nubia. In his time, the “Egyptian Book of the Dead” got his final approval. He was succeeded by Thutmose I (1520-1492 BC). He crushed a rebellion in Nubia and personally killed the Nubian king. He led military campaigns in Palestine and Syria. Thutmose II (1492-1479 BC), son of Thutmose I, was overshadowed by his wife and half-sister Hatshepsut (1479-1458 BC). Thutmose II had almost no power; however, Hatshepsut was one of the most powerful rulers of the New Kingdom. They had one child, and Thutmose II had another child with another wife who later become Thutmose III (1458-1425 BC). When Thutmose II died, Thutmose III was still a child, so Hatshepsut became regent. She completed more projects than any king in Egypt, except for Ramesses II. The building projects later would be claimed by other pharaohs as theirs, and the name of Hatshepsut would be removed. The reasons for this are unclear. Thutmose III continued to expand Egypt’s borders further than ever before. He led 17 military campaigns, conquering kingdoms from Libya to Syria, and in the south to the area of Kurgus. He started many building projects and signed trade deals. His successor, Thutmose IV (1400-1390 BC) is best known for the restoration of the Great Sphinx at Giza. Egypt was one of the most influential kingdoms until the time of Amenhotep III (1386-1353 BC). He led military campaigns, constructed many building projects. However, during his reign, the priests of Amun started to become very powerful owned more land collectively than the pharaoh. In response to this, Amenhotep III aligned himself with the god Aten (god of the sun disc), however, this didn’t stop the growth of the priests of Amun. His successor Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten) (1353-1336 BC) took this a step further and banished all gods and established monotheism. He is famous for establishing Aten as the only god and moving the capital from Thebes to Amarna (known as the Amarna Period). He changed his name from Amenhotep to Akhenaten after few years of reign as a response to the one and only god Aten. All temples dedicated to other gods were closed. After his death, he was succeeded by his son Tutankhamun (1336-1327 BC), who is most known for his tomb discovered in 1922 CE. He moved the capital to Memphis, reestablished the old religion and opened all the temples. He was succeeded by Horemheb (1320-1295 BC), who tried to remove the name of the Amarna Period pharaohs by destroying their buildings. He died without an heir and was succeeded by his vizier Paramesse, who took the name Ramesses I.

The 19^th Dynasty

Ramesses I (1292-1290 BC) rebuilt many temples. He sent his son, Seti I, on military campaigns to retake lost territories. Seti I (1290-1279 BC) continued his father’s policy. After his death, he was succeeded by the most famous Egyptian pharaoh, Ramesses II the Great (1279-1213 BC). He is best known for the epic Battle of Kadesh in 1274, where he claimed to have defeated the Hittites (even though it was recorded as a draw). He signed the world’s first peace treaty. He built many monuments and left so many inscriptions that there is no site in Egypt that does not carry his name. He moved the capital from Thebes to Per-Ramesses. Ramesses II died at age 96 and was succeeded by his son Merenptah (1213-1203 BC). Merenptah was succeeded by Amenmesse (1203-1200 BC), who was not a chosen successor. He usurped the throne from Seti II (1203-1197). He tried to remove any proof of Seti II’s existence, but after 1200 BC, there is no mention of him. Seti continued to rule until 1197 BC. He was succeeded by Merenptah Siptah (1197-1191 BC), who was 10 years old when he came to the throne. His mother Twosret ruled as a regent until his death and later ruled as Tausret (1191-1190 BC). After her death, the throne was usurped by Setnakhte.

The 20^th Dynasty

Setnakhte (1190-1186 BC) founded the 20^th Dynasty. He stabilized his power and defeated an invasion of the Sea People. He was succeeded by Ramesses III (1186-1155 BC), who defeated the Sea People for the final time. He is the last powerful pharaoh of the New Kingdom. Ramesses II was wounded in an assassination attempt and died from his injuries. His successors; Ramesses IV (1155-1149 BC), Ramesses V (1149-1145 BC), and Ramesses VI (1145-1137 BC); struggled to keep their power. The priests of Amon grew too powerful. Nothing is known for the next pharaohs, Ramesses VII (1137-1130 BC), Ramesses VIII (1130-1129 BC), Ramesses IX (1129-1111 BC), Ramesses X (1111-1107 BC) and Ramesses XI (1107-1077 BC). All these pharaohs struggled as the priests grew more powerful in Thebes. The last pharaoh of the New Kingdom was Smendes I (1077-1051 BC). He buried Ramesses XI and proclaimed himself pharaoh; however, he only ruled Lower Egypt. The death of Smendes I ended the New Kingdom and started the Third Intermediate period. Egypt would never become as strong as it was in the New Kingdom. The Third Intermediate period ended with the Persian invasion in 525 BC.