NEW KINGDOM (Dyn. XVIII Early)

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Second Intermediate Period. 1800-1550 B.C.

History and society

• several simultaneous regional dynasties
  • Hyksos (="rulers of foreign lands") are most important--dyn. XV
    • they are Palestinian, but take on trappings of pharaohs--names with Re
    • site of Avaris (Tell ed-'Daba) in Eastern delta is the Hyksos stronghold, now being excavated
      • strong Minoan connections in wall paintings
  • Theban revolt finished the Hyksos early in New Kingdom (c. 1550)

Dynasty XVIII. 1550-1298 BC

History

• King Ahmose reunifies Egypt yet again, drives out Hyksos c. 1540
• Queen Hatshepsut, 1479-1457
  • regent for her son Tuthmosis III, but acted and portrayed herself as pharaoh
• King Tuthmosis III, 1479-1424
  • obliterated as many traces of Hatshepsut and Senmut as possible
  • conquered lands to north, claiming sovereignty over Syria and Palestine, and east as far as the Euphrates River
• Amenhotep III, 1388-1348
  • long-ruling, powerful pharaoh, much in contact with foreigners
    • statue base with foreign place names, including Knossos, Mycenae
    • faience plaques with his name found at Mycenae
    • art shares some design features with Minoan/Mycenaean

Monuments

• funerary complex of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, next to Mentuhotep's
  • series of terraces with colonnades; includes temple to Amen
  • decorated with reliefs, including expedition to Punt [Punt queen]
  • architect: Senmut, her favorite courtier
• Thebes
  • East Bank: temples of Amen at Luxor, Karnak
  • West Bank: mortuary temples and tombs
    • Valley of the Kings holds tombs of most pharaohs
    • complex of Hatshepsut (see above)
    • tombs of the nobles at Thebes
      • several, including Senmut's, contain paintings of Minoans from Crete, and other foreigners
      • tomb of Nakht--painting of blind musician, feasting
      • tomb of Nebamun--fowling scene, musicians and dancers
    • workers' village at Deir el-Medina [carpenter painting]