"Account for the Expansion and Impact of the Egyptian Empire in the New Kingdom Period."

Essay by blockyrownshotHigh School, 12th gradeA, June 2005

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The New Kingdom period began with the re-unification of Egpyt, and the expulsion of the Hyksos. Established by Ahmose, the 18th Dynasty New Kingdom period represented the "watershed of Egyptian history." The 18th Dynasty was typified as a time of great power, wealth and influence, demonstrated through augmented foreign trade and economy, extensive expansion of land, ascendancy of Amun and religion, and the establishment of the "warrior pharaoh" image. Although Ahmose who founded the empire, it was essentially Thutmose III, the "Napoleon of the New Kingdom" , who was able to both physically and administratively maintain and control the empire. Contrasted with the reign of Thutmose's successor, Ahmenhotep II, the impact and expansion of the Egyptian empire is thoroughly justified.

With the expulsion of the Hyksos and subsequent territorial expansion into the Lower Nubian regions, the Pharaoh was then forced to adopt some sort of military stance. The concept of "warrior pharaoh" was born during Ahmose's reign, and Ahmose did much to promote the image.

But it was Thutmose III who was coined "the greatest of all warrior pharaohs", having had led 17 military campaigns in a 22-year reign. Thutmose's historical siege of Megiddo remains a crucial aspect of his warrior pharaoh image, and inspired his successors to emulate his battle tactics and strategies. Amenhotep II, Thutmose's son, upheld the image of the warrior pharaoh, being regarded as "the most bloodthirsty Pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty" , due to his unending vigour and military prowess in battle. The image of "warrior pharaoh" was crucial in the New Kingdom period. Egypt was constantly under attack from all sides: the Libyans from the west; Kushites from the south; Hittites from the east and Philistines from the north - and in order to sustain and control Egyptian territory, the Pharaoh had to...