New Kingdom (C. 1567 – 1085 BC)
By now, it seems apparent that ancient Egypt was following something of a pattern. A golden age of peace and prosperity followed by turmoil and back to growth once again. During the New Kingdom era, Egypt was able to establish what is arguably the world’s first great empire. Ahmose I was the first Pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty, and he ruled over a united land once more.
It was a dynasty marked by robust and able leaders. Ahmose I regained Egyptian power in the previously conquered territories of Canaan and Nubia. He also unified the country, drove the Hyksos out of Egypt and reopened mines, quarries and trade routes. His son Amenhotep I continued rebuilding the temples in Upper Egypt while Thutmose I helped expand Egyptian territories. The empire was at the peak of its power by around 1400 BC.
Amenhotep IV is a controversial figure as he began a religious revolution by disbanding all priesthoods that dedicated themselves to the god Amon-Re and forced them to worship the sun god Aton. He renamed himself Akhenaton and created a new capital with the same name, but once he died, the empire’s capital returned to Thebes and Egyptians reverted to the old custom of worshipping several gods. The 18th Dynasty also contained one of the most famous Pharaohs of all time; the boy king Tutankhamen. His fame comes from the fact that his tomb was discovered mainly intact by a team of archaeologists led by Howard Carter in 1922.
The 19th Dynasty began in c. 1292 BC and contained one of the most legendary rulers; Ramses II (the Great). He continued to expand the empire and managed to drive back the Hittites at the Battle of Kadesh in 1274 BC. Ramses II is believed to have reigned for 66 years and was one of the strongest leaders Egypt ever had.
The 20th Dynasty featured Ramses III who defeated the Sea Peoples in the 1170s BC. Had he been defeated, it would have been the end of the Egyptian Empire. He was probably assassinated for his troubles in 1156-1155BC, and the empire began to decline after his death. A series of nondescript rulers followed, and Egypt lost its provinces in Syria and Palestine forever.
It was also the subject of multiple invasions with the Libyans the biggest threat during this time. As was the case at the end of its other great eras, Egypt’s wealth declined and by the end of the 12th century BC, instability had reared its ugly head. Towards the end of the reign of Ramses XI, Egypt became divided with the High Priest of Amun Herihor ruling the south from Thebes. The death of Ramses XI in c. 1077BC marked the end of the 20th Dynasty and the beginning of the next phase of Egyptian history.
Third Intermediate Period (C. 1085 – 664BC)
This is sometimes called the Late Dynastic Period, and the 21st Dynasty began with the reign of Smendes I. While he ruled Egypt from Tanis in the north, the High Priests of Amun had control of the south and ruled from Thebes. This division was to set the scene for more instability in Egypt although, in this instance, the priests and Pharaoh were from the same family, so there was no friction at this point. This dynasty was marked by a more centralized government with local officials having more power than before.
The 22nd Dynasty featured Libyan rulers and reigned from the 940s BC to the 720s BC. It seems as if local leaders enjoyed virtual autonomy during this time and information relating to the subsequent dynasties is scant at best. We do know that the 23rd Dynasty also included Libyan rulers who probably ruled out of Thebes and Herakleopolis. It overlapped with the 22nd Dynasty and existed until the 730s BC. The 24th Dynasty was short (around 12 years) and consisted of two rulers.
The 25th Dynasty included leaders from the Nubian Kingdom of Kush. Again, there is a little bit of confusion surrounding the beginning of this dynasty. Some sources suggest that Kashta was the first Pharaoh as he invaded Upper Egypt in approximately 760 BC. This would overlap with other dynasties. It looks as if Piye succeeded Kashta as ruler and he managed to unify Egypt and Kush. This meant the empire was at its largest extent in hundreds of years.
Under the rule of the Kushites, Egypt fought against the rising Assyrian Empire. King Esarhaddon of Assyria became fed up with Egypt’s meddling in his empire’s affairs and launched a successful invasion in 671 BC. However, the Egyptian leader Taharqa managed to retake control of northern Egypt just two years later. Unfortunately for him, Esarhaddon’s successor Assurbanipal was able to remove Taharqa from Egypt permanently within a couple of years.
Esarhaddon appointed rulers during his brief stint in Egypt. One of those was called Necho I, and he is often deemed to be the first leader of the 26th Dynasty. He reigned for eight years but was killed in 664 BC by an invading Kushite force. His death spelled the end of the Third Intermediate Period.