DECLINE OF ANCIENT EGYPT

New Kingdomunprecedented prosperity

Securing borders/strengthening diplomatic ties

Military campaigns waged under Tuthmosis I and his grandson Tuthmosis III extended influence of pharaohs into Syria and Nubia

opening access to critical imports such as bronze and wood

large-scale building campaign to promote the god Amun, in Karnak.

Social Changes

During the New Kingdom, society grew more fluid as trade and warfare increased

Trade-new opportunities to merchant class

Foreign conquests-riches to Egypt result: More business for

artisans

Hatshepsut

female pharaoh Hatshepsut used propaganda to legitimize her claim to the throne.

successful reign marked by trading expeditions to Punt, mortuary temple, a colossal obelisks and chapel at Karnak

nephew-stepson Tuthmosis III sought to erase her legacy near the end of his reign, possibly in retaliation for usurping his throne.

Queen Hatshepsut Married her half

brother Thutmose II

Ruled with Thutmose III, Thutmose II son by another wife

Appointed herself pharaoh

Disappeared when Thutmose III led a revolt to gain power

Thutmose III Destroyed as much

evidence as possible of his stepmother/ aunt

Known as great military leader

“Napoleon of Ancient Egypt”

In his 54 years of rule, he captured over 350 cities

Buried in the Valley of the Kings (KV 34)

Amenhotep IV - Akhenaten

Around 1350 BC - Amenhotep IV - Akhenaten, believed obscure sun god Aten as the supreme deity

attacked the power of the priest establishment.

Moving capital to Amarna

Ignored foreign affairs and absorbed himself in new religion and artistic style.

After death, the cult of the Aten quickly abandoned

subsequent pharaohs Tutankhamun, Ay, and Horemheb erased all mention of Akhenaten's heresy, (Amarna Period)

Tutankhamuno Known as the “Boy King”

o Married one of his half sisters

o Helped to restore the Ancient Egyptian belief in polytheism

o Took over the throne when he was only 9

o Died around the age of 19 due to a head injury

o Buried in the Valley of the Kings

Found in 1922 by Howard Carter

Ramesses II 1279 BC - Ramesses II - built more temples, erect more statues and obelisks, and sire more children than any other pharaoh in history.

bold military leader, led army against the Hittites - Battle of Kadesh

after to stalemate, agreed to the first recorded peace treaty around 1258 BC

After death no strong military power

Egypt's wealth tempting target for invasion (Libyans and Sea Peoples)

Egypt eventually lost control of Syria and Palestine.

Valley of the Kings Used from the 18th

Dynasty to 20th Dynasty

Common burial ground for kings/ pharaohs

Often robbed by common thieves

Recent discoveries have occur in KV 5, this is Ramesses II tomb of his sons

Mummification

The preservation of the dead (wealthy citizens who could afford the pricy burial practice)

Skilled embalmers removed vital organs, then dried and wrapped the body in strips of linen

This process could take months to complete

At first this was a privilege reserved for rulers and nobles. Eventually, ordinary Egyptians were able to mummify their dead

(A) ANUBIS The priest in charge of the mummification wore the mask of Anubis (the god of mummification).

(B) INCENSE A priest stands by, holding sweet-smelling incense.

(C) WRAPPING THE BODY The body, or mummy, was wrapped in layers of linen before being placed in the coffin.

(D) NATRON Natron, a kind of soda, was placed in the body to dry it out before it was wrapped in linen.

(E) SOAKING THE BANDAGES Sometimes, linen strips were soaked in plaster so they would harden when dry.

Third Intermediate PeriodEgypt's far-reaching prestige

declined considerably

south controlled by High Priests of Amun at Thebes,

did not recognize new pharaoh linage

Libyans in delta, increasing their autonomy

Temple, cities and villages sacked by foreign invaders from north and east

No central political or cultural center

Persian ruler Mazaces handed Egypt over to Alexander the Great without resistance

 Ptolemaic Dynasty – Alexander the Great

In 332 BC, Alexander the Great conquered Egypt with little resistance - welcomed by the Egyptians

administration established by Alexander's successors, the Ptolemies, based on Egyptian model in the new capital city, Alexandria

city - power and prestige of Greek rule

became a seat of learning and culture, centered of famous Library of Alexandria

Lighthouse of Alexandria lit the way for the many ships which kept trade flowing through the city

Ptolemaic Dynasty - Continued

Ptolemies made commerce and revenue-generating enterprises top priority – eg. papyrus manufacturing

Greek culture did not replace native Egyptian culture -effort to secure the loyalty of populace.

built new temples in Egyptian style, supported traditional cults, and portrayed themselves as pharaohs.

Rome soon relied more heavily on imports of grain from Egypt –as a result - Romans took great interest Ptolemaic politics

Roman Domination

Egypt became a province of the Roman Empire in 30 BC

following the defeat of Marc Antony and Ptolemaic Queen Cleopatra VII by Octavian (later Emperor Augustus) in the Battle of Actium.

Egypt’s final Collapse of Power

Romans relied heavily on grain shipments from Egypt - resulted in harsh Roman rule of Egyptian people

strictly enforced the collection of heavy taxes

Alexandria City became increasingly important center on the trade route with the orient, as exotic luxuries were in high demand in Rome.

Local administration became Roman in style and closed to native Egyptians

Power of Egypt now solely in the hands of a Stronger Empire.