1. New Kingdom (EGYPT) and the Assyrians

2. The New Kingdom
End of the Middle Kingdom… drive out Hyksos and Exodus ( BCE)
1550 to 1050 BCE
Empire building
Hatshepsut – female pharaoh
Failed religious reforms
Ramses I and Ramses II
End of the Egyptian Kingdoms…
1550 to 1050 BCE – use Hyksos technology to reclaim Egypt
Egypt VERY WEALTHY!
Period of Empire building in Egypt against Syria and Nubia
Period plagued by wars with chariots and bronze weapons
Period where Egypt engages in diplomacy with outside regions
Hatshepsut = female Pharaoh who wore a beard – WHY? (1473 to 1458)
Efficient and she has a great deal of military success – BUT MORE TRADE THEN WAR!
Builds lavish temple
After death backlash against female ruler = picture defaced and name removed from records
PUNT Expedition = TRADE!
Stepson (Thutmose III) takes Nubia = very warlike; her memory is “erased”
Religious Reforms
Unsuccessful and damages the empire
Amenhofep (married to Nefertit) tries to make Egypt a monotheistic empire – Aton (sun) only god
Possibly political move to centralize power with the pharaoh (name invented during the New Kingdom) and not the priests
Battles with the priests over religious issues
Destroys much of the Egyptian religious doctrine and monuments
Followed by King Tut who returns Egypt to a polytheistic empire
Ramses I and II = military and territorial height of Egypt
Takes Syria and Palestine / Hittite conflict / PEACE in 1285 = FIRST TREATY for 100+ years
Ramses II = Ramses the Great – 60 year rule from
architectural success with tombs, cities, and statues
Known as the last great Egyptian ruler
200 wives and 160 children
DECLINE – INVASTIONS by “sea peoples” Philistines = never regains power and conquered by Libyans in about 1000 BCE; also neighbors to the South (Nubian Kingdom of Kush) – evenutally kicks out Libyans and takes over in 751 to guard Egyptian heritage

3. Hatshepsut Seated Painted limestone Height: 76 cm

4. Great Temple of Ramses II

5. Ramses II

6. Ramses II Tomb

7. The Assyrian Empire Rise of the Assyrians Military Society
Government system (model)
Great warriors and builders
ASSURBANIPAL = first library!
Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar
Chaldeans fall to Persians…
850 Assyria developed due to weapons and military
Greatest power in SW Asia
Came from Mesopotamia region
Warriors in response to invasions
MILITARY SOCIETY = iron weapons, leather armor, etc., strong military techniques, no mercy
650 Assyrian PEAK = local governors report to central authority = model of government management
Empire keeps expanding
CULTURE = great warriors/builders; first library under Assurbanipal = organized by subject/cataloged
Declines and Fall…Chaldeans destroyed capital at Nineveh – but tablets remain (clay)!
Babylon reborn under Chaldeans = Nebuchadnezzar (hanging gardens of Babylon for wife)
Beautiful buildings and archetecture
Chaldeans fall after Nebuchadnezzar to Persians