7.4 Ramessid period and the end of the New Kingdom
3 min read•july 22, 2024
The marked ancient Egypt's peak, with powerful pharaohs like expanding the empire and building grand monuments. This era saw military victories, diplomatic triumphs, and cultural achievements that defined Egypt's golden age.
However, the 's glory was short-lived. Overextension, weakening central authority, economic troubles, and foreign invasions led to its decline. Despite its fall, the New Kingdom left a lasting legacy in art, architecture, and administration.
The Ramessid Period
Key pharaohs of Ramessid period
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- (1295-1294 BCE)
- Founded the 19th Dynasty
- Short reign transitioned from 18th to 19th Dynasty
- (1294-1279 BCE)
- Ramesses I's son
- Led military campaigns against and in Levant
- Began building at Karnak Temple
- Ramesses II (1279-1213 BCE)
- Also known as Ramesses the Great, Seti I's son
- Longest-reigning pharaoh of ancient Egypt ruled for 66 years
- Fought Hittites at , built monuments like , temples, expanded
- Achieved diplomatic success with peace treaty with Hittites
- (1213-1203 BCE)
- Ramesses II's son
- Protected Egypt from Libyan invasions and "Sea Peoples"
- contains oldest known mention of "Israel" in ancient texts
- (1186-1155 BCE)
- Final great New Kingdom pharaoh
- Successfully battled Libyans and "Sea Peoples"
- Undertook large building projects like mortuary temple at
The Decline and Fall of the New Kingdom
Factors in New Kingdom's collapse
- Empire overextended
- Struggled to control vast territories in Nubia, Levant, Syria
- Defending and governing conquered lands strained resources and manpower
- Central authority weakened
- Pharaohs gradually lost power and influence
- Powerful officials like High Priests of Amun challenged royal authority
- Economic difficulties
- Gold reserves and other resources depleted by extensive building and military campaigns
- Reduced trade and tribute from conquered territories
- Foreign invasions and migrations
- Libyan tribes to west and "Sea Peoples" from Mediterranean increased pressure
- Foreign peoples gradually infiltrated and settled in Nile Delta region
Causes of New Kingdom's downfall
- Internal political instability
- Royal family members and high officials engaged in power struggles
- Amun priesthood gained wealth and influence, challenged pharaohs' authority
- Conspiracies and coup attempts occurred, like harem conspiracy under Ramesses III
- External threats
- Libyan tribes and "Sea Peoples" invaded, straining Egypt's military
- Hittites and other rival powers captured territories in Levant and Syria
- Egypt's international prestige and influence gradually declined
- Economic challenges
- Climate changes and reduced Nile floods decreased agricultural productivity
- Extensive building projects and foreign trade depleted resources, especially gold
- Revenue from trade and tribute reduced as Egypt lost control of key trade routes and vassal states
- Officials and institutions mismanaged and corrupted state resources
Legacy of New Kingdom
- Cultural and artistic legacy
- Monumental architecture built like Karnak, Luxor, Abu Simbel temples
- Art, literature, religious texts innovated, such as Book of the Dead
- Later Egyptian art and architecture in Late Period and Ptolemaic era influenced
- Political and administrative legacy
- Established strong, centralized state with professional bureaucracy
- Developed standing army and improved military organization
- Some New Kingdom institutions and practices continued in later periods
- Historical significance
- Represented pinnacle of ancient Egyptian civilization and power
- Lasting impact on cultural memory and identity of ancient Egyptians
- Fascinated and admired by modern scholars and general public
- Lessons for subsequent periods
- Maintaining strong central authority and political stability is important
- Overextension and managing large empire pose risks and challenges
- Economic diversification and sustainable resource management are needed
Key Terms to Review (23)
Abu Simbel: Abu Simbel is a monumental archaeological site in southern Egypt, famous for its two massive rock-cut temples built during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BCE. These temples served not only as places of worship but also as grand displays of the power and devotion of Ramesses II, reflecting the grandeur of the Ramessid period and its influence on the New Kingdom's architecture and culture.
Battle of Kadesh: The Battle of Kadesh was a significant military confrontation that took place around 1274 BCE between the forces of the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II and the Hittite Empire led by King Muwatalli II. This battle is often noted as one of the largest chariot battles in history and marked a pivotal moment in the Ramessid period, highlighting the intense rivalry between Egypt and the Hittites during the decline of the New Kingdom.
Cult of Osiris: The Cult of Osiris was a religious movement in ancient Egypt centered around the worship of Osiris, the god of the afterlife, resurrection, and fertility. This cult gained prominence particularly during the Ramessid period, as it emphasized the importance of death and rebirth, mirroring the agricultural cycles that were essential to Egyptian society. The rituals and beliefs associated with Osiris were key in shaping concepts of the afterlife and influenced burial practices, leading to elaborate tomb constructions and a focus on the judgment of souls.
Funerary rites: Funerary rites refer to the religious and cultural practices associated with the burial and commemoration of the deceased. These rituals are crucial in ensuring that the dead are properly honored and that their journey into the afterlife is facilitated, reflecting beliefs about mortality, the soul, and the divine. In the context of the Ramessid period and the end of the New Kingdom, funerary rites were deeply intertwined with elaborate burial customs and beliefs surrounding the afterlife, impacting both social hierarchy and religious practices.
Great hypostyle hall: The great hypostyle hall is a vast space in ancient Egyptian temples characterized by its rows of towering columns supporting a roof, creating a grand and awe-inspiring atmosphere. This architectural feature served both religious and ceremonial purposes, exemplifying the grandeur and divine connection sought during the Ramessid period and marking the end of the New Kingdom with its monumental construction.
Hittites: The Hittites were an ancient civilization that thrived in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) from around the 17th to the 11th century BCE, known for their powerful empire, advanced diplomacy, and contributions to early law and military organization. They played a significant role in the political landscape of the ancient Near East, particularly in their interactions with Egypt, especially during conflicts and alliances involving prominent figures like Ramses II.
Hypostyle hall: A hypostyle hall is an architectural space characterized by a roof supported by a large number of columns, creating a forest-like appearance. This design not only enhances the aesthetic and spatial experience within temples and palaces but also serves practical purposes such as allowing for more natural light to enter and facilitating air circulation. The hypostyle hall is a significant feature in ancient Egyptian architecture, often associated with grand temple complexes.
Medinet Habu: Medinet Habu is an archaeological site located on the west bank of the Nile in Luxor, Egypt, primarily known for its mortuary temple of Ramesses III. This impressive structure is not only a key example of ancient Egyptian temple architecture but also serves as a vital record of military campaigns and the socio-political climate during the Ramessid period, especially regarding the defense and expansion of the Egyptian empire.
Merneptah: Merneptah was the fourth pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt and ruled from 1213 to 1203 BCE. His reign is significant as it marks a pivotal point in the decline of Egyptian power, often associated with the later Ramessid period and the eventual collapse of the New Kingdom. Known for his military campaigns, Merneptah is particularly famous for his victory over Libyan invaders and his famous stele that records this triumph, reflecting the struggles of Egypt during a time of internal and external challenges.
Merneptah Stele: The Merneptah Stele is an ancient Egyptian inscription created during the reign of Pharaoh Merneptah, who ruled from 1213 to 1203 BCE. This monumental stone slab is significant for being one of the earliest known references to Israel, marking it as a critical artifact that highlights the geopolitical landscape of the time and the interaction between Egypt and neighboring territories.
Mummification: Mummification is the ancient Egyptian process of preserving a body after death, aimed at preparing it for the afterlife. This technique involved removing internal organs, drying the body using natron, and wrapping it in linen, all while following specific religious rituals and beliefs that emphasized the importance of the body in the next world.
New Kingdom: The New Kingdom is the period in ancient Egyptian history that lasted from approximately 1550 to 1070 BCE, marking the height of Egypt’s power and wealth. This era is characterized by territorial expansion, monumental architecture, and significant cultural and religious developments.
Noble class: The noble class in Ancient Egypt refers to a privileged social group that held significant political, economic, and religious power during the New Kingdom and especially the Ramessid period. This elite class included high-ranking officials, priests, and landowners who played a crucial role in the governance of the state and the administration of large estates, as well as in the construction of monumental architecture. Their influence extended beyond mere wealth; they often acted as intermediaries between the pharaoh and the common people, shaping policies and practices that affected society at large.
Pi-ramesses: Pi-Ramesses was a major city built during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II in ancient Egypt, serving as a political and military capital. Known for its grand architecture and strategic location in the Nile Delta, it played a pivotal role in the Ramessid period, reflecting the power and wealth of the New Kingdom's last great pharaoh.
Ramesses I: Ramesses I was the founder of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt and reigned from 1292 to 1290 BCE. He is significant for initiating the Ramessid period, which marked a time of resurgence in Egyptian power and culture, following the decline of the Eighteenth Dynasty. His reign set the stage for his more famous grandson, Ramesses II, known as Ramesses the Great.
Ramesses II: Ramesses II, often known as Ramesses the Great, was the third pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt, reigning from 1279 to 1213 BCE. He is celebrated for his extensive building programs, military exploits, and significant role in Egyptian history, marking a high point during the Ramessid period and influencing the transition toward the end of the New Kingdom.
Ramesses III: Ramesses III was the last great pharaoh of the New Kingdom in ancient Egypt, ruling from approximately 1186 to 1155 BCE. His reign is characterized by military victories against invasions, significant construction projects, and a decline in central authority that eventually contributed to the end of the New Kingdom. Known for his elaborate temples and monumental architecture, he is often considered one of the most powerful rulers of ancient Egypt.
Ramesseum: The Ramesseum is a mortuary temple dedicated to Pharaoh Ramesses II, located in the Theban necropolis near Luxor, Egypt. This impressive structure showcases the grandeur of the Ramessid period, characterized by its monumental architecture and elaborate decorations, reflecting the power and divinity of Ramesses II during the New Kingdom's decline.
Ramessid Period: The Ramessid Period refers to the time during the 19th and 20th Dynasties of Ancient Egypt, from approximately 1292 to 1077 BCE, characterized by the reign of the pharaohs named Ramses, particularly Ramses II. This era is marked by monumental building projects, military campaigns, and a flourishing of arts and culture, all of which significantly contributed to the power and prestige of the New Kingdom.
Sea Peoples Invasion: The Sea Peoples invasion refers to a series of maritime raids and migrations that took place during the late Bronze Age, approximately between 1250 and 1150 BCE. These incursions significantly disrupted several ancient civilizations in the eastern Mediterranean, including Egypt, contributing to the decline of the New Kingdom and marking a pivotal transition in the region's history.
Seti I: Seti I was the second pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt, known for his military campaigns and extensive building projects. He played a crucial role in strengthening Egypt's empire during the New Kingdom, particularly through his efforts to reclaim territories lost to foreign powers and solidify control over Nubia and Palestine.
Tomb architecture: Tomb architecture refers to the structural design and construction of burial sites for the dead, particularly in ancient cultures. In the context of the Ramessid period and the end of the New Kingdom, tomb architecture evolved significantly, reflecting changes in religious beliefs, social structures, and artistic styles. The grandeur of tombs during this time served as a demonstration of the power and wealth of the elite, while also showcasing advancements in architectural techniques and materials.
Vizier: A vizier was a high-ranking political advisor or minister in ancient Egypt, responsible for overseeing the administration and governance of the state on behalf of the pharaoh. The role of the vizier was crucial in maintaining order, implementing laws, and managing resources, making them one of the most powerful figures in the Egyptian hierarchy, especially during periods of centralized authority and governance.