The New Kingdom is a period of Egyptian history that spans approximately from 1550 to 1070 BC. It encompasses the XVIIIe, 19th et XXe dynasties and marks the height of Egyptian civilization in terms of power, wealth and artistic expression.
Unification and territorial expansion
The New Kingdom begins with the rise ofAhmes, founder of the XVIIIe dynasty, who succeeded in driving out the Hyksos and reuniting Egypt. Under the pharaohs of this period, Egypt experienced unprecedented territorial expansion, extending its influence to Nubia in the south, Syria-Palestine in the north, and east to the Euphrates.
Economic prosperity
The wealth of Egypt reached its peak during the New Kingdom, thanks to the exploitation of gold and precious stones in Nubia, the extraction of copper and turquoise in the Sinai and trade with neighboring regions. . The pharaohs also invested in agriculture, promoting economic growth and stability.
Art and architecture
The New Kingdom is also notable for its artistic and architectural production. Great temples, such as those at Karnak and Luxor, were built or enlarged, and the tombs of the pharaohs became increasingly ornate and elaborate. Egyptian artists developed a naturalistic and detailed style, as evidenced by frescoes and tomb reliefs from this period.
The iconic pharaohs
Several famous pharaohs ruled during the New Kingdom, including:
- Hatshepsut, the queen-pharaoh who ruled Egypt for nearly 22 years and initiated many construction projects.
- Tuthmosis III, who extended the Egyptian empire to its territorial peak and is often referred to as the “Egyptian Napoleon”.
- Akhenaten, which tried to impose the cult of Aten, the solar disc, as the only religion, upsetting Egyptian society.
- Tutankhamun, the young pharaoh whose tomb, discovered in 1922, revealed priceless treasures and captured the imagination of the whole world.
- Ramses II, who ruled for 67 years and left behind an impressive architectural and military legacy.
📋 LIST OF EGYPTIAN SOVEREIGNS 📋
Hotepsekhemwey / Sneferka / Nebra / ninetjer / Senedj / Noubnefer / Horus Ba / Peribsen / Sekhemib / Khasekhemwy / Neferkasokar / | |||
Djoser / Sanakht / Sekhemkhet / Spoon / Huni | |||
Sekhemre-Khutaouy Amenemhat-/Sobekhotep I/Sekhemkare Amenemhat-Senbef/Sekhemkare Amenemhat V/Ameny-Qemaou/Hotepibre Qémaou-Sa-Hornejhéritef/Ioufeni/Séânkhibrê Amény-Antef-Amenemhat (or Amenemhat VI)/Semenkarê Nebnoun/Sehotepibrê Sousekhtaouy | |||
Sekhaenre Yakbim/Nebuuserre Yaammou/Khauserre Qareh | |||
Semqen/Aper-Anat/Sakir-Har/Khyan/Apophis I/Apophis II?/Khamoudy | |||
/Sekhemre-Sementaouy Djehouty/Sekhemre-Sousertaouy Sobekhotep VIII | |||
Twenty-first dynasty | |||
Twenty-second dynasty | |||
Twenty-third dynasty | |||
Twenty-fourth dynasty | |||
1st Persian Dynasty | |||
Thirty-first dynasty (Achaemenid) | 2nd Persian Dynasty | ||