A New Kingdom: Part 2 I can describe the influence the pharaohs Akhenaton, Tutankhamen, and Ramses II, had on Egyptian and world history.

Akhenaton Akhenaton became pharaoh in 1353 B.C. When he did, he made a bold decision. He lifted a sun god named Aton to the highest status a god could have. He then closed the temples of other gods. By doing this, he attempted to promote the worship of one god for the first time in Egyptian history. Class Discussion: What effect do you think this would have had on the Egyptian population? Do you think they would have approved, or disapproved? Akhenaton’s new religion did not last long. Three years after his death in 1330 B.C, a young relative of his became pharaoh of Egypt. The young boy was only 9 when he assumed the throne, and relied on his advisors. They convinced him to reject the new religion and return Egypt to worshiping many gods. This young pharaoh’s name was Tutankhamen…..commonly referred to as King Tut.

Tutankhamen: “King Tut” Tutankhamen was more famous for his death than for his life. King Tut’s reign lasted only nine years by the time of his death at the age of 18. Most historians agree that King Tut died a possibly violent death, but no one knows for sure how. Very few written documents on King Tut survived and not much is known about his life. King Tut’s infamy is because his tomb is one of the only tombs of an Egyptian pharaoh that was found completely intact. Finding his tomb gave historians a clear idea of the details that went into burying a pharaoh. We will discuss the importance of this finding tomorrow.

Ramses II In 1279 B.C, 44 years after the death of King Tut, Ramses II took the throne. He reigned as pharaoh for 66 years, which was among the longest in Egyptian history. During his time, Ramses II greatly expanded the Egyptian empire. Ramses II, known as Ramses the Great, wanted to make Egypt powerful through war. Under Ramses’ rule, Egypt extended its territory south into the African kingdom of Nubia. The empire also stretched to the eastern rim of the Mediterranean Sea, where it bordered the empire of a people called the Hittities.

The Egyptians and the Hittites had long been enemies. Soon after he became pharaoh, Ramses led and army into battle against the Hittites. Nobody really won the battle, but Ramses claimed victory. The Battle of Kadesh was one of the great battles in human history. After its end, a treaty was signed with the Hittites. This was the first known peace treaty in in world history.

The Battle of Kadesh “Decisive Battles” Parts 1, 2, 3

Ranses II was bold in honoring himself. He built a city called the House of Ramses. He built a city called the House of Ramses. His temple is guarded by foot tall statues of himself. Ramses II reigned until 1213 B.C, when he was more than 90 years old. Having one ruler for 66 years made the Egyptian government stable. His reign was also a time of peace throughout Egypt. After the treaty with the Hittites, no enemy threatened Egypt during his rule.