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New Kingdom Egypt / Nubia. Politics. Took Egypt back from Hyksos Aggressive expansion into Syria-Palestine (collaborators), Nubia (direct rule) International diplomacy Ramesses II known for expansion/battles; used marriage diplomacy. Chiefs involved in trade “protection”
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Politics • Took Egypt back from Hyksos • Aggressive expansion into Syria-Palestine (collaborators), Nubia (direct rule) • International diplomacy • Ramesses II known for expansion/battles; used marriage diplomacy • Chiefs involved in trade “protection” • Middle Kingdom Egypt occupied territory • Kings divine (?) • Kings of Kush built walls/forts; Egypt took over • Meroe: over 1000 years. • A. Napata: ruled Egypt too. Driven out by Assyrians. • B. Meroe • Queens (Candace)
Economics • Took over territory for resources, like gold mines in Nubia • Syria-Palestine important trade routes • Taxes & tribute • Hatshepsut (woman) opened trade with Punt (Red Sea) • Traded grain for metal • Started as farmers/herders • Possesses valuable mineral resources • Links North and Sub-Saharan Africa • Meroe became capital as trade routes shifted; then shift to Aksum
Religion • Akhenaten tried to change religion to monotheism (Aten); failed (also attempt to assert king’s power?) • Tut returned to tradition (known for tomb) • Kush: tombs with humans and objects suggest belief in afterlife • Built temples to Egyptian gods (Amon blended with Nubian ram); made mummies • Nubian gods; elephants important
Social • Outsiders assimilated, but still considered “foreign” • Enslaved Hebrews • Had slaves • Strong Egyptian influence after occupation; later less important • Children served as hostages and absorbed culture; archers joined Egyptian army • Women important: matrilineal system (king’s nephew inherits) • Professional gov’t officials, priests, army officers
Intellectual • Imported outside technologies (potter’s wheel, loom, war chariot) • Period of innovation • Skilled metalworkers and potters • Used Egyptian writing, plus new symbols for Meroitic • Built reservoirs
Arts/Architecture • Akhenaten & Nefertiti built new capital & temple at Amarna • New style of art – more realism • Ramesses built temple/statues at Abu Simbel • Tombs in Valleys of Kings/Queens • Mud-brick walls, forts; stone temples • Towns on Egyptian model • Blended Egyptian and Nubian styles; built small pyramids • Art blended Egyptian, Greco-Roman, and indigenous
Near • Expanded Egyptian holdings into Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa • South of Egypt on Nile (modern Sudan) • Access to Sub-Saharan African resources and trade • Cataracts on river