In
the history of Egypt the XVIIIth dynasty was golden era of prosperity
and power of empire. Successors of Ahmose who expelled Hyksos’, carry on policy
of expansions sending regularly war campaigns to Asia and expanding influences
at south, in Nubia, gaining control over gold mines. Thus, the growing power of
Egypt results in strong economical position of this country in contemporary
world. Designed and performed with a flourish temples of gods’ cult, numerous
fortresses in south and elaborated tombs in rock became symbol of that epoch.
Under Amenhotep III the Egyptian empire grew in significance that will never
happen again in future. However the wealth in royal court leads finally to
religious schism under Akhenaten and this is beginning of Egyptian empire’s
downfall. Weakness of Amenhotep III’s successors is exploited by kingdoms of
Asia and Nubia which throw off Egyptian yoke. Under Horemheb, the last pharaoh
of this dynasty, this decay is stopped, however the empire faces long way to its
reconstitution. To view the transcription
of kings titulary properly, please
download and install transliteration font.
Son
of queen Ahhotep and Seqenenre
Tao II, probably brother of
Kamose
- the last rulers of dynasty XVII. Manetho assigned to him 25 years and 4
months of rule. Analysis of his mummy revealed that at the moment of
death he was aged 35 so that Ahmose must have become a pharaoh at the
very young age. This might be possible considering the early death of
his father – Seqenenre, and brother – Kamose. In
18/19 year of rule (year 11 of
Khamudi’s rule) he captured Awaris and the
fortress Scharuhen in southern Palestine after 3 years-siege and thus
completed act of restoration of Egyptian independence definitely
expulsing Hyksos. He broadened vastly Egyptian borders making three
successful campaigns in Nubia (after revolt of certain Aata) and one in
Asia. Ahmose restored an office of viceroy of Kush and thus spread his
own influence far to the south. He was brother and husband of queen
Ahmose-Nefertari, the mother of Amenhotep I. Putative burial place –pyramid tomb in Biriabi, near
Dra Abu el-Naga in
Western Thebes, although quite recently
it is being suggested that it might have been an unknown tomb KV32 in
the
Valley of the Kings. The king’s
mummy was discovered in the
DB320 cache at Deir el-Bahari.
At Abydos he was build pyramid-enotaph
(false tomb).
Son
of Ahmose by Ahmes-Nefertari. According to Manetho he ruled 20 years and 7
months. He came to the throne after premature death of prince Amenemhat, the
heir to the throne. With his mother he was worshipped at the Theban necropoly
until the Late Period. He made wars in Asia, Libya and Nubia from where he
levied annual tributes. To him comes the credit of renewing many temples
alongside the Nile. He started building of the temple at Karnak
and
Abydos, also
temple of the goddess Nekhbet at El-Kab and temples
at Uronarti in Nubia and Serabit el-Chadim at Synai.
Tomb ANB near Dra el-Naga at Western Thebes
or tomb
KV39 at the
Valley of the Kings. Mummy of the king, who diet
at the age of 50 was found in the DB320 cache
at Deir el-Bahari.
aA-xpr-kA-ra
Aakheperkare(Great Is The Soul Of Re)
DHwti-msi(w)
Djehutymose (Born Of Djehuty [Thoth])
As
Totmes I was probably not related to ruling family he acquired rights to the
throne by marriage with king’s daughter, Ahmes who bore him daughter –
Hatshepsut (the later queen). For the lack of male descendant from that marriage
his heir to the throne became Totmes II, the son of queen Mutnofret. There are
many discrepancies among Egyptologists as to length of Totmes’ rule. Opinion
about 10-years rule is predominant. He vastly extended temple at Karnak. Due to
campaign against Nubia at the beginning of his rule, the boundaries of Egypt
moved as far as to Tombos, above the III cataract. In his 4 or 5 year of rule he
managed to reach Euphrates in Asia and comemorized this victory with stele at
Karkemish. In Karnak he started large-scale works, he also left traces of
building activity at Elephantine, in Armant, Ombos, Abydos, Memfis and Nubia.
His burial place was the first hypogeum in the
Valley of the Kings – KV38. Mummy of the
ruler was moved by Hatshepsut’s order to her grave KV20 and then, after her
death returned to its original burial place by order of Totmes III. Mummy found
in the DB320 cache at Deir el-Bahari wasascribed to
Totmes I.
aA-xpr-n-ra
Aakheperenre
(Great Is The Form
Of Re)
DHwti-msi(w)
Djehutymose
(Born Of Djehuty [Thoth])
Son
of Totmes I and Mutnofret, he became king after death of his father and his
brothers Amenmose and Wadjmose. In German scholars’ opinion (W.Helck, R.Krauss,
E.Hornung) Totmes II ruled only 3-4 years. Mantho’s Khebron was to rule 18 years
but this seems to be overestimated. He married his own sister, Hatshepsut and
thus legitimized the Totmes’ right to the throne. They had presumably two
daughters - Neferure and Neferubiti. His son and successor, Totmes III, was born
from his concubine Iset. He had to suppress revolts in Nubia at least twice
during his rule, he sent military expedition to Asia as comemorized in
inscription from Deir el-Bahari. Buildong activities of the ruler are apparent
mainly in Thebes and Nubia. Burial place – tomb KV42 in the
Valley of the Kings, that construction was merely begun. Mummy of the king
was found in the
DB320 cache at Deir el-Bahari.
Daughter
of Tuthmosis I by queen Ahmes. She married her half-brother Tutmose II. She
overtook rule after death of her husband as she would not let to pass it to her
son-in-law Tuthmosis III, and reigned initially as regent of the young heir to
the throne, then as pharaoh. Getting support from highly placed officials
(Senenmut, Hapuseneb, Djehuti, Nehsi) she managed to keep the young Tuthmosis
well in the background and announced herself a male pharaoh. There is not
agreement between scholars concerning the year of co-regency with Tuthmosis III
when Hatshepsut had proclaimed herself pharaoh. Opinions of scholars diverge
from 2 to 7 years. Change of the titulary in jar inscriptions dated to the year
7 point at longer period of co-regency. Inscription in Red Chapel of Hatshepsut
at Karnak, dated to year 2 suggest in turn shorter period. The inscription
mentions that the Oracle of Amun hailed Hatshepsut the ruler of Egypt. During
her reign she gave up policy of conquests in favor of trade development.
Expeditions to the land of Punt (first one in the year 9 of her rule) resemble
the policy of the Middle Kingdom. According to
D.B.Redford and W.F.Reinecke at least six war or robbery campaigns in Nubia
and Palestine could be also documented. She ordered to erect many monuments,
numerous obelisks and magnificent mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari, the last
one was being built almost 15 years. In works over this art of Egyptian
architecture was heavily involved Senenmut, the queen’s architect, who had great
influence on both the queen and her politics. She celebrated her Sed festival in
year 15 of the rule. She died age 50 of bone's cancer. Her successor expunged
any traces of her rule, after se died. He erased her cartouches and images of
her from all buildings she erected. Burial place –
tomb KV20 in the Valley
of the Kings, where Hatshepsut was buried although previously she had started to
cut a tomb in wadi cliff face, west of Deir el-Bahari. Moreover, she ordered to move corpse of her father, Tuthmosis I,
to her royal tomb in the Valley of the Kings.
Her mummy founded in KV60, tomb of her nurse Sitre.
mn-xpr-ra
Menkheperre
(Established Is The Form Of Re)
DHwti-msi(w)
Djehutymose (Born Of
Djehuty [Thoth])
Son
of Totmes II and one of his wives – Iset. One of the most outstanding rulers of
Egypt. He was one of the greatest conquerors in ancient times. Removed from
power by his ambitious aunt he had to wait until her death before he put into
action his own military plans. After he accessed the throne he assumed year of
his father’s death – 1504 as start point of his own rule thus omitting
Hatshepsut. He considered her usurper. Removed by her from rule in presumably 2nd
year (or slightly later) of coregency he held priestly functions in temple.
After Hatshepsut’ death he took rule and ordered to destroy any traces of
her illegal reign. In space of only 20 years he lead 16 war campaigns to Asia as
precisely stated in Annales of Totmes at Karnak and numerous stele of victory as
well as biographies of officers participating in the king’s expeditions. First
expedition was organized within only few weeks after his accessing the throne
and was aimed against coalition of Syrian princess. It was headed by
prince Kadesh. The eight expedition in 33 year of rule succeeded in crossing
Euphrates and significant restricting of power of land of Mitanni. Next
campaigns were mostly the fights with Mitannian army and kept Egyptian dominance
in Asia. Egyptian empire extended from Euphrates in Asia to Napata in Upper
Nubia. Apart from military activities there are known trade campaigns to Punt in
year 33 of rule and to Sinai for turqoises. Building activities of the ruler,
carried on with a flourish no less than war campaigns, is focused mainly in
Karnak and West Thebes, also in many places of Upper Egypt and Nubya. Three
years before his death he made his son, Amenhothep III the co-ruler. He died in
the last day of seventh month of 53rd year of his rule. Burial place –
tomb KV34 in Valley of
the Kings. The king’s mummy was found in the
DB320 cache at Deir el-Bahari.
aA-xprw-ra
Aakheperure
(Great Are The Forms
Of Re)
imn-Htp(w) HqA-iwnw
Amenhotep Heqa Iunu(Amun Is Satisfied ; Lord
Of Heliopolis)
Son
and successor of Tuthmosis III by queen Meritre, ruled alongside with
his father as co-regent. In Manetho’s opinion he ruled 25 years and 10
months (Flavius). Warlike and cruel king, made numerous campaigns in
Asia. The documents record unusual physical strength and sporting
pursues – bowing, horse riding, rowing and running. Well known from
successful punishing of revolting tribes., from his first Asiatic
campaign he returned with seven conquered princesses. Six of them were
hung down along the Theban walls, the seventh being hung down at Napata.
As an effect of his campaign at the year 9 of his reign he captured
unusually high number of prisoners – 80 thousand. It is believed that
this number comprises all captives from his father’s, Tuthmosis III,
campaigns. Amenhotep moved southern boundaries as far as to Napata where
he built a fortress. Stela of Konosso records an expedition in the year
8 of his rule. He extended a temple at Karnak and erected funerary
temple to the north of Ramesseum. He built also at heliopolis, Koptos,
whole Theban nome and south, at el-Kab, on Elephantine, Sehel, Kalabsha,
Buhen and more. Died aged 45-50.
Burial place - tomb KV35 at the
Valley of the Kings, under Pinedjem I it became
the cache for other royal mummies.
mn-xprw-ra
Menkheperure(Established Of Forms Is Re)
DHwti-msi(w)
Djehutymose (Born Of Djehuty [Thoth])
Son
of Amenhotep II and queen Tia. According to Manetho he ruled 10 years. There
exists some evidence pointing at disputes around his succession. He was not as
warlike as his predecessors. There is known fact of expedition to Nubia and
inspection in Asia in his 8 year of rule. He tried to run peaceful policy of
dyplomacy that succeeded with treaty with Mitanni. His royal wife was Amenhotep
III’s mother - Mutemweye, the daughter of Mitannian king Artatamas I. Foreign
policy is characterized by accepting and bringing up Asiatic princes at Egyptian
court that was helpful at maintaining healthy relationship between Egypt and
Asia. Building activity is remarkable at Synai, Heliopolis, Giza, Memfis and
Sakkara, as well as in Hermopolis, Abydos, Dendera and Theban district.Burial
place – tomb KV43 at the
Valley of the Kings. The king’s mummy was found in
a KV35 tomb-cache of Amenhotep II.
imn-Htp(w) HqA-wAst
Amenhotep Heqa Waset
(Amun Is Satisfied ; Ruler
Of Thebes)
Son
of Tuthmosis IV by queen Mutemweye. It is supposed, though now doubted by
some, that Mutemuje was a Mitannian princess. According to Manetho,
Amenhotep ruled 38 years and 7 months. Great builder and patron of art and
culture. Under his reign, as a result of many-years conquests of his
predecessors, Egypt has been flooded by uncounted wealth, promoting
incredible flourishing of civilization. Emission of series of scarabs add
splendor to his numerous hunting events. Some expeditions to Nubia and Kush
secured continuous delivery of gold from their mines. He developed diplomacy
– peace with Mitanni and Babylon assured by marriage with daughters of the
rulers of that countries. To his harem got from Mitanni Giluhepa and
Taduhepa, daughters of king Shutarna and his heir, as well as Babylonian
princesses, daughters of Kurgalzu II and Kadashman-Charbes. His royal
chief-wife and mother of his heir was queen Tiji, presumably daughter of a
couple of court nobles – Yuya
and Tjuyu
(tomb KV46).
Apart from emission of scarabs major historical value bear documents found
in 1887 at Amarna, which are a part of so called “dyplomatic
correspondence”. Three celebrations of his sed jubilee are known,
which took place in years 30, 34 and 37 of his rule. He extended a temple at
Karnak, erected magnificent funerary temple, which was the greatest one in
Egypt of that times. Only two colossal statues are preserved until now
(Colossi of Memnon) and some parts of the temple, like sphinx, stela, and
reminders of figures. This monument had been destroyed due to earthquake in
1220 BC, thereafter pulled down and stone blocks were reused to build a
funerary temple of Merenptah. At Malgatta he built splendid palace and many
buildings all over Egypt giving the testimony to the sophisticated taste of
the king and his architect Amenhotep son of Hapu. Apart from the palace at
Malgatta and extending temples in Theban nome there are known numerous
temples and other buildings all over the Land, among others at Bubastis,
Athribis, Heliopolis, Sakkara. In the temple of Mut at Thebes
he ordered to
place 600 statues of goddess Sachmet . Attention should be paid also to the
temple of Amun-Re at Soleb, temple of Sobek at Sumenu and temple of
Amenhotep and Tiji at Sedeinga.
Burial place – tomb WV22
in Western Valley of the Kings. King’s mummy was found
in KV35 - the tomb
of Amenhotep II.
Colossus of Memnon - the remains of
the wonderful mortuary temple
imn-Htp(w) nTr-HqA-iwnw
Amenhotep Netjer Heqa Iunu(Amun Is Satisfied ;
God Ruler Of Heliopolis)
nfr-xprw-ra wa-n-ra Neferkheperure
Waenre
(Beautiful Are The
Manifestations Of Re ; Dearest Of Re)
Ax-n-itn
Akhenaten (Sunbeam [Glare] Of The
Aten)
Living Re, Ruler Of Horizon
Glad In The Shining Land, He Lives In His Name As Re The Father, Who Comes
As Aton [He Is Aton])
Son
of Amenhotep III and queen Tiji.
The most controversial personage in ancient Egypt history, subject of
most animated discussions. In his third year of rule he started building
a huge temple of Aten
at Thebes, east to the temple of Amun at Karnak. In year 4 of his rule
he dismissed the high priest of Amun, Maya, and introduced a new
religion instead of cult of Amun. The first phase of
religious revolution was marked with destructions of deities
connected to cult of death, leaving the solar deities untouched. In year
5 he moved the capital from Thebes to Akhet-Aten
(Horison of Aten),
which borders were assigned by 14 steles. At the same time he changed
his name to Ax-n-itn(Ray [Glare] of Aten)
as well as the whole royal titulary. Other gods, initially tolerated,
now became being abolished with all possible measures, Akhenaten
propagated a cult in the only one god, the solar disc – Aten,
thus giving rise to the first monotheistic religion in the history.
Absorbed absolutely with introducing the new religion and abolishing the
old deities, he neglected completely foreign policy, loosing Egyptian
possessions in Asia and on the south, as well as internal economy.
Recently there is assumed that Ekhnaten did not neglect foreign policy –
penalty expedition at Nubia, plans of Asiatic
expedition. The truth is that possessions at Syria were lost after
Ekhnaten’s death. Profound religious changes found their reflection
in art works of Amarna period. The canon prevailing so far in art and
presentations has been abandoned. He had 6 daughters with Nefertiti, a
beautiful queen. At the end of his rule probably he took into
partnership on the throne in a co-regency his brother Semenkhkare, to
whom married his eldest daughter Merytaten. Particular figure of the
king, known to us from ancient paintings and sculpture made experts in
medicine to suggest that the ruler suffered from genetic disorder called
Marfan (Frohlich) syndrome. All in all, one should realize that similar
effects those observed in Akheneaten’s presentations (long limbs, and
face, spindly fingers and fat around hips, swollen belly) may result
from other disorders or reasons - religion for example. There is opinion
that after Akhenaten’s death the rule was held about one year by his
daughter-wife Merytaten, who marrying Semenkhkare made him the ruler.
Nothing is known as to , circumstances of his death, he was
presumably buried at Akhet-Aten
in the tomb TA26. Some scholars (Reeves,
Dodson, Hawass)
assume that corpse found in KV55 tomb do not belong to Smenkhkare but to Akhenaten. The
project’s CT scan of Akhenaten's mummy provides an age at death of
25-40.
Painted bust of Nefertiti. Agyptiches Museum, Berlin
Bust of Akhenaten. Egyptian Museum, Cairo
Akhenaten, Nefertiti and three daughters. Agyptiches
Museum, Berlin
anx-xprw-ra
Ankhkheperwre (Living Are The
Manifestation Of Re)
smnx-kA-ra Dsr-xprw
Semenkhkare Djoserkheperw
(Vigorous Is The Soul Of Re ;
Holy Of Manifestations)
nfr-nfrw-itn (mri-wa-n-ra)
Neferneferuaten Meriwaenre
(Beautiful Is Beauty of Aten ; Beloved Of
Dearest Of Re
One
of the most controversial characters in Egyptian history. Experts in the
subject created many theories to light up darkness of that period.
According
to one of the hypotheses he might have been son of Amenhotep III and queen
Tiji and younger brother and successor of Akhenaten.
Maybe mummy from KV55 in Valley of the Kings
is mummy of Semenkhkare or, his brother, Akhenaten. The belief that Semenkhkare was co-regent of Akhenaten for a couple of years is recently the
most popular. According to various scholars Semenkhkare might have
ruled from 2 to 5 years. Some believe that he died shortly before Akhenaten,
aged 25. According to C. Aldred of Scotland, the most outstanding experts on
those times, Semenhkare and Tutankhamun were brothers. Certainly
Semenkhkare was husband of one of Akhenaten’s daughters, the princess
Merytaten. According to R. Krauss she might have held rule single-handed
through a year after Akhenaten’s death.
nb-xprw-ra
Nebkheperwre
(Lord Of
Manifestations Is Re)
nb-xprw-ra HqA-mAat
Nebkheperure Heqa Maat
(Lord Of
Manifestations Is Re ; Lord Of True)
twt-anx-itn
Tutankhaten(Living Image Of The Aten)
twt-anx-imn HqA-iwnw-Smai
Tutankhamun Heqa Iunu Semai(Living
Image Of Amun ; Ruler Of Heliopolis)
In
spite of a discovery of almost untouched tomb (KV62)
in the Valley of the Kings, our knowledge
concerning this king is rather scant.
Until recently, we almost exclusively deal with a number of speculations
concerning the origin and the death of the king. Genetic research conducted
eleven mummies in 2007-2010 showed, inter alia, that Tutankhamun was the son
of Semenkhkare (mummy from KV55 tomb) and unfamiliar with the name of the
king's sister, whose mummy (the Young Lady) was found in a
tomb KV35.
It is
believed that his first years of rule he spent in Akhetaton, then moved the
court, or part of this, to Memphis
that was much more suitable for ruling over the land because of its
convenient location. Despite, building activities of this ruler were focused
mainly in Theban region and Nubia. In
J. van Dijk’s opinion, Tutankhamun died at the end of August and was buried
at the beginning of November. There is prevailing opinion that at moment of
his death he was 18-19 years old. Sensational theory, unfortunately, also
preached by eminent Egyptologists (B.
Brier) about the murder of Tutankhamun by his successors proved to be,
in the light of genetic researches recently carried out, have no
justification. These researches have shown that the mummy of the young king
was suffering from a disease Freiberg-Kohler II, which belongs to worry
about the bones, had club foot and cleft palate. In addition, a bacterium of plasmodium falciparum found, which often
causes a lethal form of malaria. With great probability can now say that it
was malaria, which is due to a weakening immune system caused by
osteonecrosis and additionally - leg broken, has become the direct cause of
death of the young ruler.
TAi-xw Hr wnm n nsw imi-rA-ssmt nb(t)n Hm.f sS
mAa mri.f it-nTr ii
Hr kA nxt tHn-xaw , kA nxt tHn-xprw
sxm-pHti dr-sTt , [sxm-pHti dr]-sTtiw
HqA-mAat sxpr-tAwi
xpr-xprw-ra (iri-mAat)
iti-nTr iy (nTr-HqA-wAst)
xpr-xprw-ra iri-mAat
Kheperkheperwre Irimaat
(Everlasting Are The Manifestations Of Re ;
Who Does What Is
Right)
iti-nTr
iy
It-Netjer Ay(Father Of God Ay)
There
is scanty evidence for descent of this pharaoh. Experts in Amarna period
state he was father of queen Mutnedjemet and, probably, of Nefertiti. It
is also possible that he was brother of queen Tiji and son of a couple
of court nobles: Yuya and Tjuyu
(tomb KV46). Ay himself came
presumably from Akhmim, where he was born about
the time Amenhothep III was ascending the throne. In times of Akhenaten
and his direct successors he held numerous honorable and responsible
functions but his most
important title wasiti-nTr, the God’s Father,
which after overtaking a rule was placed even in the royal cartouche.
Under reign of the minor Tutankhamun he held an office of vizier and
regent and he actually held the rule over the land. After heirless death
of Tutankhamun he became the king of Egypt, however for a short time.
Results of his building activities are for all: mortuary temple at
Thebes, chapels at Achmim and Abydos and buildings at Karnak and Luxor.
There is an official tomb of Ay at Amarna, built under Akhnaten. His
true burial place is
tomb WV23 in the western
Valley of the Kings.
RpatHAti-a sS-nsw mAa mri.f wdnw n nsw m tA r-Dr.f
imi-ramSa wr Hr-m-Hb
Hr kA nxt spd-sxrw
wr-biAwt-m-ipt-swt
hrw-Hr-mAat sxpr-tAwi
Dsr-xprw (stp.n-ra , HqA-mAat , HqA-wAst)
Hr-m-Hb (mri.n-imn , mri-imn)
Dsr-xprw
stp.n-ra
Djoserkheperw Setepenre
(Holy Are The Manifestations
Of Re ; Chosen Of Re)
Hr-m-Hb mri-imn
Horemheb Meriamon
(Horus Is In Jubilation
; Beloved Of Amun)
He
originated probably from family of nobles living near Amarna. Under
Akhenaten reign he served as a general of army and enjoyed from the king
many honours. At those times his name was
Paatenemheb
(Aten Is Present In
Jubilation). Under Tutankhamen he
held numerous important offices and he was also a regent of the young
king. Aged 45-55, after Ai II death, he ascended the throne although not
without support of priests of Amun. It happened during the Theban Opet
festival that he became officially confirmed by the god Amun. He put efforts
to erase from Egyptian history the whole Amarna period, among others by
assigning start point of his own regnal years to death of Amenhotep III and
by destroying images of immediately preceding him pharaohs. There are known
facts of carrying out materials of Amarna temple for his own building
projects. The central colonnade of the great hypostyle at
Thebes as well as
pylon 2, 9 and 10, completion of collonade at Luxor and rock-temples at
Nubia are only part of widely performed building activities of Horemheb.
Presumably he made war campaign in Asia thus beginning policy of great
conquests, continued by his followers. There is no consensus among
egyptologists as to the length of Horemheb’s rule. Presumably he reigned
13-28 years. He apponted his heir to the throne his faithful military
companion and vizier – Paramessu. He build his mastaba in Saqqara however
after he became pharaoh he ordered to cut a tomb
KV57 in the Kings’
Valley.