The Egyptian ‘empire’
New kingdom egypt from amenhotep iii to the death of ramesses ii
New kingdom egypt from amenhotep iii to the death of ramesses ii
1. What is an empire? What benefits can the ruling nation receive as a result of controlling an empire?
An empire is when a leader controls a nation. It was harder for them to find an emperor that resembled a ‘warrior image’.
2. In your own words, list the changes that occurred in Egyptian society as a result of maintaining an empire. * The Egyptian society developed a permanent professional army and the growth of the heroic warrior king tradition. * Amun ascended to an imperial god with wealth and influence of his priesthood adding to his cult temple at Karnak. * With foreigners in the army and bureaucracy (state or organization), impacting on population structure religion and culture. * An incredibly large amount of wealth in the form of booty. Tribute and trade and its effects in the lifestyle of the upper classes and demands for skilled craftsmen.
3. Explain why the Egyptians gradually expanded their ‘empire’.
Aldred suggests that for some pharaohs, ‘the taste for warfare and the pre-emptive strike, provoked by the Hyksos wars, had developed into an appetite for imperial adventures’.
4. Why do you think that the pharaohs began to depict themselves as ‘warrior-pharaohs’?
Warrior pharaohs were seen as mighty in strength, protectors, strong-armed and ones who conquered. Pharaohs were always shown larger than life in the midst battle. Basically they wanted to look tough and almighty.’ heroic image’.
5. How did the pharaohs use the wealth that flowed into Egypt from surrounding territories?
The wealth that flowed into Egypt enabled the kings to enhance their status by generous endowments to the gods, rewards to officials and massive building programs. The power and lifestyle of many people depended on the growth and maintenance of the