NEW KINGDOM (Dyn. XIX-XX)

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Dynasty XIX. 1298-1187 B.C.

History and society

• Ramses II, 1279-1212 B.C.
  • Battle of Kadesh, in Palestine, c. 1275 B.C.
    • battle against the Hittites of Anatolia (modern Turkey) under king Muwatalli
    • Egyptians fail in siege, but Ramses' personal bravery and persistence prevent a total Hittite victory
    • both sides claim victory in inscriptions
    • illustrated on temples: Ramesseum, Medinet Habu, Abu Simbel
  • 15 years later, treaty between Ramses and Hittite king Hattusilis III, and marriage between Ramses and Hittite princess

Monuments

• Pylon (gateway) Temples: components&emdash;added by different pharaohs over time
  • processional way
  • pylon façade and entrance
  • courtyard
  • hypostyle hall (pillar hall)
  • enclosed shrine

    increasingly restricted access as you go toward center

• Temples: examples
  • temple of Amen-Re at Karnak, Dyn. XVIII-XX
    • same elements as before
    • 61 papyrus-bud columns on each side of taller open-papyrus columns
    • central aisle 79 feet high
  • Abu Simbel has two temples, larger one to Ramses II
    • larger one has unique façade: 4 seated statues of the king, 65 feet high
    • moved from shore of Nile when Aswan dam constructed

Dynasty XX. 1187-1064 B.C.

History and society

• Ramses III, 1185-1153 B.C.
  • fought a mysterious group called the Peoples of the Sea&emdash;a coalition of mercenaries, who curtailed trade in Aegean, defeated Hittites, weakened Egyptian empire and perhaps ended Mycenaean power in Greece