Ancient Egypt Timeline - Issie

Hyksos Invasion (c.1700-1567BCE)

1567 BCE

Overcoming the Hyksos occupation established the New Kingdom, as Egypt became reunited and the pharaoh regained complete control over the nation.The Hyksos controlled Lower Egypt for around a century. The Hyksos were able to conquer Egypt due to their advanced war technology and army, including the horse-drawn chariot. This invasion was the event that caused Egypt's reunification and future dominance (in the New Kingdom). Nubian mercenary troops (Medjay) aided Egypt.

King Khamose (c.1555-1550 BCE)

1550 BCE

The last king of the creator of the New Kingdom, Khamose wished to "save Egypt and to smite the Asiatics". Three years after becoming Pharaoh, Khamose began to promote a reunited Egypt free from the control of the Hyksos. Despite noble opposition to his violent approach, stating they "are at ease in our part of Egypt", Khamose sailed the Nile River into Lower Egypt. He intervened the Hyksos King's (Apophis) letter to the Nubian Prince (in Upper Egypt),defeating the Egyptian Pharaoh.

Ahmose I removes the Hyksos from Avaris (1532BCE)

1532 BCE

Ahmose I defeats the Hyksos in Avaris (North-East in the Nile Delta), fully ending the Hyksos occupation as they retreated to Saruhen (north Palestine). After the main Hyksos defeat (that caused the formation of the New Kingdom), the Hyksos returned to their capital, Avaris. However, some Egyptians supported the Hyksos, causing uprising in Thebes. Ahmose ended this and continued to force the Hyksos into Saruhen. Three years later, their lost their power in Saruhen and moved into Syria.

Amenhotep's Temple (c.1520BCE)

1520 BCE

Due to the theft from Pharaoh's mortuary temples and tombs, Amenhotep I became the first pharaoh to separate his tomb and temple. Ramesses IX was known to make a record of this tomb in Dra Abul el-Nuga, however, it was later moved to Deir el-Bahri after being robbed. Amenhotep I set a common practice of pharaohs dividing their temples and tombs, to avoid robbery (this was possibly encouraged by priests who go a share of the stolen goods).

Thutmose I (1504BCE)

1504 BCE

Thutmose I (later Thutmosis I), ruled and expanded Egypt during its' most luxurious era. He expelled the Hyksos occupation in the Nile Delta by moving into Carchemish territory, whilst improving the Amon Temple. Thutmose expanded Egypt's borders south into Nubia and Syria. Thutmose used the Nubian expedition for revenge against the Kushites (near Third Nile Cataract), also to expand the borders into the Fourth Cataract. Thutmose I was the first buried in the Valley of the Kings.

Thutmose III military expansion (1479BCE)

1479 BCE

Before the New Kingdom, Egypt was isolated. Untrained Egyptians were used before an official military as it was unnecessary. Thutmose III conquered in the Battle of Megiddo, while expanding Egypt's borders into Syria, the Euphrate's River and Napata.. Thutmose III established his position as a "great general" after Asiatics and Egyptian territories rebelled against authority, which was quickly put to peace by the new pharaoh.

Hatshepsut as female pharaoh(1473-1458 BCE)

1473 BCE

Hatshepsut's famous trade expedition was led by Lieutenant Nehsi, with five ships travelling into Punt. The items that Hatshepsut admired include cinnamon, gold and ivory (c.1492BCE). Her expeditions aimed to improve Hatshepsut's temple in Deir al-Bahri. After the successful expedition, her tomb in Deir al-Bahri was decorated with hieroglyphics recounting the event. The images were also the first to show such an event in Egyptian history.

Megiddo Battle (c.1457 BCE)

1457 BCE

Two major battles consist the Megiddo Battle, the First and Second. However, Megiddo is placed close to Mesopotamia, a large empire protected by the smaller Megiddo civilisation. Many battles that were not recorded are thought to have occurred. Hence, Megiddo is often referred as the place of the "Battle of Armageddon". Egypt's objective to defeat Megiddo was to expand their civilisation, this was led by Thutmose III.

Amenhotep III temple and palace (c.1391 BCE)

1391 BCE

'Amenhotep the Magnificent' (referred as 'The Dazzling Sun-Disk' during his reign), constructed a temple in Luxor, of which the architects were Hor and Suti. It was "as noble as any…Egyptian architecture…produced". The temple was dedicated to Amun. The "House of Rejoicing" (Amenhotep III's Malkata palace), was a pivotal structure in Egyptian history, as well as being a family home/palace for his wives and son (Amenhotep IV). Inside, a temple was dedicated to Amun.

Amenhotep IV's religion change (c.1353 BCE)

1353 BCE

Akhenaten (originally named Amenhotep IV), lost power as pharaoh whilst priests rose. In order to regain lost control, Akhenaten attempted to turn the national religion, from polytheistic to monotheistic. The capital city was changed from a thriving Thebes to El-Amarna, as Thebes was historically dedicated to the god, Amun. However, this task of changing the religion was achieved to some extent, religion composed too much of society and tradition to be effective after his death.

Tutankhamun (c.1333 BCE)

1333 BCE

Tutenkhaten was the predecessor of Akhenaten. In an act of defiance against the disliked pharaoh, Tutenhkaten ("living image of Aten") to Tutankhamun ("living image of Amom"). The religion returned to monotheistic and the capital city to Thebes. Predecessor of Tutankhaten, Horemheb, made the worship of Akhenaten and Aten illegal.

Canal to Red Sea (c.1300 BCE)

1300 BCE

During the Twelfth Dynasty, a canal joining the Red Sea and Egypt was created. Named the "Canal of the Pharaohs" (or the Ancient Suez Canal), it was connected by Wadi Tumilat (a river valley). Persian King, Darius the Great, is thought to have largely contributed to the opening of the canal. This created opportunities for further intercontinental trade and easier access to other states, which would influence the once-isolated Egyptian Empire.

Battle of Kadesh (1274 BCE)

1274 BCE

With the Regiment of Amun (military organisation in tribute of Amun) and four other troops, Ramesses II faced the Hittites on the Orontes River. The army of 20,000 required further Egyptian support, before drowning the Hittites in the Orontes River. However, the Battle concluded with no true winner. Egypt conquered Megiddo and Gaza, and later Kadesh. However, many Egyptian soldiers were executed for failing to help earlier in the Battle.

Treaty of Kadesh - First world treaty (1258 BCE)

1258 BCE

In 1258BCE a treaty was signed confirming the end of the battle and ensured that the Hittites and Egyptians would be allied. This eventually caused the decline of Egyptian military exhibitions in Syria and Palestine, as Ramesses II married a Hittite princess (the Great Royal Wife). Ramesses II ended the Battle of Kadesh, successfully after the "treaty of peace and of brotherhood". In addition to these achievements, Ramesses II created a town in Amra-West and two temples in Abu Simbel.

Sea Peoples Invasions (c.1180-1178 BCE)

1180 BCE

During Rameses III rule in the Twentieth Dynasty, the Sea Peoples invaded Egypt and conquered a trading point in Kadesh. They invaded along the river before commencing to attack the Nile Delta, before the "confident" (as described by Ramesses III) army were defeated by Ramesses III in c.1180BCE. The Sea Peoples later invaded again, Ramesses III decided to employ guerilla techniques to defeat the invaders. Ramesses III ended victorious in 1178BCE at Xois..

Third Intermediate Period begins (c.1070 BCE)

1070 BCE

Pharaoh power dramatically declined as the end of the Twentieth Dynasty drew to a close (Amun's priest's grew in power). Ramesses III was the last known effective ruler of this Dynasty, as Ramesses III to Ramesses XI ruled as weak pharaohs of short reigns. During this time, the priests ruled Upper Egypt and Smendes ruled the Lower. Smendes later founded the Third Intermediate Period (which began in the Twenty-First Dynasty).