The New Kingdom
The New Kingdom was the richest time period of Ancient Egypt. There was a cornucopia of famous Pharaohs in this era. This was essentially Egypt’s Golden Age . These were some of the most powerful, and at times the hardest points in Egyptian history.
One of the greatest kings of Egyptian history was Hatshepsut . She was in fact a woman, but not many knew her as a woman. The majority of the Egyptians knew her as a man, and another Pharaoh. As in all positions of authority, it was extremely hard for a woman to rule. She could not lead in military engagements because if she won, the men would take credit, and if she lost she would be blamed for the loss. Hatshepsut ruled for 22 years and eventually croaked.
Another interesting Pharaoh was Akenhaten . He was the first monotheist in Egyptian history. In the 2nd year of his reign, Akenhaten discarded all worship except for worship to the Aten, the sun god. Years later, Akenhaten abandons the capital of Thebes, and moves it to Amarna. In the 12th year of Akenhaten’s reign, his chief wife, Nefertiti, vanishes, and his mother in-law, Ti, dies. After this tragedy, he persecutes all who worship Amun Re, and takes Amun Re off of everything. Eventually, in 1336 B.C., Akenhaten dies.
Tutankaten was the next great Pharaoh. His name would later be changed to Tutankhamen , as the worship was shifted back to Amun Re. Tut took the throne at 9 years old, and ruled for only 10 years, and dies. He is vitally important because what Howard Carter finds in his tomb is one of, if not the greatest treasures ever to be found. More than 52,000 priceless objects are found in Tut’s tomb, all in perfect condition.
The most important Pharaoh in the New Kingdom was Ramses II . He was the richest Pharaoh in Egyptian history. Ramses takes the throne at about 15, and rules for 67 years. During his reign, he fights the battle of Kadesh. In this battle, the Hittites attack and are murdering the Egyptians, when luckily Ramses’ reinforcements show up and defeat the Hittites. In the history books, Ramses wrote that his troops abandoned him and he alone, defeated the Hittites. After this battle, Ramses marries Nefertari. She is a Hittite princess who gives him 12 sons. His 12 sons eventually die before he does, seeing that he lives until 93, leaving him with no heir. The day before his 94th birthday celebration, Ramses dies.
After the death of Ramses, the Egyptian begins to crumble. People are wondering if this is it? Most didn’t know a Pharaoh other than Ramses. During this confusing time with no Pharaoh, the sea people attack. They are fierce warriors, whom where they are from we are not sure. These people also destroy the Hittite and the Nubian empires. With the loss of Nubia, Egypt loses its gold supply, and now becomes a bogey society. No longer are they the dominant force that they were, but they are now an average society. Less than 200 years after Ramses II, the Egyptian empire had fallen, and Ramses XI dies, ending the Ramiside dynasty.
Thomas, Susanna. Ramses II: Pharaoh of the New Kingdom. Rosen Publishing Group. New York. 2003
Hari, Robert. New Kingdom Amarna Period: The Great Hymn to Aten. Brill. New York. 1985
El Mahdy, Christine. Tutankhamen: The Life and Death of the Boy King. St. Martin's Press. New York. 2000