Ancient Egypt History: Part 2 - The Glorious New Kingdom

Welcome back to another exciting chapter in the history of Ancient Egypt. We traveled back in time to the prehistoric Middle Kingdom in Part 1 to learn about this amazing civilization's development stages. We'll now explore the New Kingdom to learn how ancient Egypt evolved into one of the most advanced civilizations in human history.

1. The New Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 BCE)

As we enter the New Kingdom, typically regarded as the peak of Ancient Egypt's power, we meet a civilization defined by glamour and military power. Pharaohs such as Hatshepsut, Thutmose III, and Ramses II left a permanent mark on Egypt's history, creating magnificent temples and leading battles that expanded Egypt's status.

2. The Valley of the Kings: Royal Tombs

The Valley of the Kings, located on the Nile's west bank, became the ultimate resting place for famous pharaohs throughout the New Kingdom. These tombs, which are covered with beautiful artwork and hieroglyphs, offer insight into the beliefs and rituals surrounding death and the afterlife.

3. The Amarna Period: Akhenaten and Nefertiti

During the Amarna Period of the New Kingdom, Pharaoh Akhenaten and Queen Nefertiti established significant changes to Egyptian religion, focusing on the worship of the sun god Aten. The move away from traditional ideas left a lasting impact on art and religious rituals.

4. The Decline: Ramifications of Foreign Invasions

Despite the magnificence of the New Kingdom, Egypt faced external dangers throughout the Third Intermediate Period (about 1070-653 BCE). Foreign attacks, like those by the Libyans and the Assyrians, led to a decline in the centralized power. This resulted in political instability and territory loss.

5. The Late Period and Persian Rule

The Late Period (c. 653-332 BCE) witnessed Egypt's struggle for freedom and independence. Egypt was taken over by the Persians after a brief period of successful resistance against the Assyrians. This foreign rule laid the groundwork for the conquest of Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic period.

As we end Part 2 of our voyage, we've traveled through the New Kingdom's heights and the following challenges. We will explore the details of the Late Period, the impact of Hellenistic culture, and the final collapse of this historic civilization in the next parts.