Bellwork Add #17 to your notecards New Kingdom – 1550 B.C B.C. Egypt reaches its highest point of power and then begins to decline

V. New Kingdom Hatshepsut Woman pharaoh Ruled after her husband’s death Preferred to boost economy by using trade instead of war to strengthen Egypt Encouraged new building projects in Egypt Ruled 21 years until her stepson Thutmose III overturned her rule and became pharaoh. Thutmose III destroys all temples and statues of Hatshepsut after her death

Thutmose III Preferred war to encourage expansion in Egypt Regained lost lands with a strong army Enslaved many conquered people Encouraged trade and tribute from conquered people Encouraged new building projects Most likely the pharaoh during the Israelite exodus

Slavery became very common in Egypt during the New Kingdom. It was possible for enslaved people in Egypt own land, marry, and could buy their freedom. When the Israelite people left, Egypt began a slow decline

Amenhotep In 1370 B.C. Amenhotep began trying to lead Egypt in a new direction He was worried that the priests in Egypt were gaining to much power So he introduced a new religion with a new god called Aton He got rid of the old gods and any of the priests that refused to accept his religion

Egyptian people refused to accept his new religion Amenhotep became so wrapped up in his new beliefs that he refused to do anything when Egypt’s lands were invaded by outside forces As a result Egypt lost much of its land in the East

Ramses II Ramses II ruled Egypt for 66 years. At the age of 10 he was a captain in the Army and became famous later on for his exploits on the battlefield He tried to restore Egypt by conquering new lands and encouraging new construction He was most famous for building the temple at Abu Simbel He is known to historians as “Ramses the Great”