New Kingdom

New Kingdom
source
Name	New Kingdom
Region	Africa
Preceeding	Second Intermediate Period
Following	Third Intermediate Period

New Kingdom. The New Kingdom was a period of ancient Egyptian history that lasted from the 16th to the 11th centuries BC. This era is often referred to as the "Golden Age" of ancient Egypt, marked by significant achievements in Architecture, Art, and Literature, as seen in the works of Imhotep, Thutmose III, and Amenhotep III. The New Kingdom was preceded by the Second Intermediate Period and followed by the Third Intermediate Period, with notable events including the Battle of Kadesh and the Treaty of Kadesh between Ramses II and the Hittite Empire.

Introduction

The New Kingdom was a time of great prosperity and power for ancient Egypt, with Pharaohs such as Hatshepsut, Thutmose III, and Ramses II ruling over a vast territory that included Nubia, Syria, and Palestine. The capital city of Thebes was a major center of Culture and Learning, attracting scholars and Artists from all over the ancient Mediterranean, including Greece and Rome. The New Kingdom also saw significant advances in Medicine, as evidenced by the Edwin Smith Papyrus and the Ebers Papyrus, which were influenced by the works of Hippocrates and the Ayurvedic tradition of India.

History

The history of the New Kingdom is divided into three main dynasties: the 18th dynasty, the 19th dynasty, and the 20th dynasty. The 18th dynasty saw the rise of powerful Pharaohs such as Ahmose I, Hatshepsut, and Thutmose III, who expanded Egypt's borders through Conquest and Diplomacy, including the Battle of Megiddo and the Treaty of Amarna with the Mitanni kingdom. The 19th dynasty was marked by the reign of Ramses II, who fought the Battle of Kadesh against the Hittite Empire and built great temples such as Abu Simbel and Karnak. The 20th dynasty saw the decline of the New Kingdom, with Pharaohs such as Ramses III and Ramses IV struggling to maintain Egypt's power and influence in the face of internal strife and external threats from the Sea Peoples and the Assyrian Empire.

Geography_and_Culture

The New Kingdom was characterized by a distinct Geography and Culture that was shaped by the Nile River and the surrounding Desert landscape. The Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens were major centers of Funerary Rituals and Burial practices, with elaborate Tombs and Mausoleums built for the Pharaohs and their families, including the Tomb of Tutankhamun and the Tomb of Nefertari. The New Kingdom also saw significant advances in Agriculture, with the development of new Irrigation systems and Crops such as Wheat and Barley, which were influenced by the Agricultural practices of the Sumerians and the Babylonians. The Culture of the New Kingdom was also marked by a rich Literary and Artistic tradition, with works such as the Story of Sinuhe and the Hymn to Aten showcasing the Poetic and Musical talents of ancient Egyptian Writers and Composers, including Amenhotep IV and Akhenaten.

Politics_and_Government

The politics and government of the New Kingdom were characterized by a strong centralized Monarchy and a complex system of Administration and Bureaucracy. The Pharaoh was the supreme ruler of Egypt, with absolute power and authority over all aspects of Society and Economy. The Vizier was the chief Administrator of the Government, responsible for overseeing the Taxation system, the Judiciary, and the Military, which was influenced by the Military traditions of the Assyrians and the Persians. The New Kingdom also saw the rise of a powerful Priesthood that played a significant role in Politics and Government, with Temples such as Karnak and Luxor serving as major centers of Religious and Cultural activity, including the Festival of Opet and the Festival of Osiris.

Economy_and_Trade

The economy and trade of the New Kingdom were characterized by a strong Agricultural sector and a significant Trade network that extended throughout the ancient Mediterranean. Egypt was a major producer of Grains such as Wheat and Barley, as well as Fruits and Vegetables such as Dates and Onions, which were traded with the Phoenicians, the Greeks, and the Romans. The New Kingdom also saw significant advances in Metallurgy, with the development of new Technologies for extracting and processing Metals such as Copper and Gold, which were influenced by the Metallurgical traditions of the Sumerians and the Babylonians. The Trade network of the New Kingdom extended to Nubia, Syria, and Palestine, with Merchants and Traders exchanging goods such as Spices, Textiles, and Precious Stones with the Mitanni kingdom, the Hittite Empire, and the Mycenaeans.

Notable_Rulers

Some of the most notable rulers of the New Kingdom include Hatshepsut, who was one of the few female Pharaohs of Egypt and built great temples such as Deir el-Bahri and Karnak; Thutmose III, who expanded Egypt's borders through Conquest and Diplomacy and built the Temple of Amun at Karnak; and Ramses II, who fought the Battle of Kadesh against the Hittite Empire and built great temples such as Abu Simbel and Karnak. Other notable rulers of the New Kingdom include Amenhotep III, who built the Temple of Luxor and the Temple of Soleb; Akhenaten, who introduced significant Religious and Cultural reforms and built the City of Akhetaten; and Tutankhamun, who restored the traditional Religion and Culture of Egypt and built the Tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings. The New Kingdom also saw the rise of notable Nobles and Officials, including Imhotep, Ay, and Horemheb, who played significant roles in Politics and Government during this period. Category:Ancient_Egypt