Amenhotep Kings

18TH DYNASTY PHAROAHS- Amenhotep kings

The 18th Dynasty was a period full of powerful Kings and Queens. It starts by King Ahmose who ruled from 1570-1546, one of the most outstanding in the history of ancient Egypt. His principal achievement was to weaken the Hyksos, who had dominated Lower Egypt for some 300 years, by taking Avaris, their citadel in the north. He pursued them into southern Palestine and laid siege to Sharuhen for three years.

Amenhotep I (Amenophis) was the son of Ahmose I and his queen Ahmose-Nefertari – and ruled from 1546 to 1526. He undertook military campaigns in Libya and in Nubia (up to the 3rd cataract) using boats on the Nile to transport his army, and extended the boundaries of his empire by establishing a vice-royalty in Nubia. On reaching the throne, Amenhotep I very quickly had to defend Egypt’s borders – the Libyans had taken the opportunity of Ahmose I’s death to launch an invasion in Egypt’s delta – Amenhotep I led an army to the Western border and defeated the Libyans and their allies. Next was a rebellion by Nubia, Amenhotep I this time led an army to the southern border and very quickly restored order.
Amenhotep I had an interest in art and architecture and intiated elaborate building projects – such as the Karnak temple complex at Karnak . Amenhotep I was also the first pharaoh who separated his mortuary temple and tomb.
Amenhotep II , the 7th king of the 18th dynasty, son of Thutmose III, ruled Egypt from 1450 to 1425 BC. He continued the military exploits of his father, particularly in Syria, where he crushed an uprising and demanded oaths of loyalty from local rulers. His mummy was discovered in the Valley of the Kings. Amenhotep II was famed at the time for his sportsmanship – he was very athletic and had a great love of horses.His greatest feat of sportsmanship was the shooting of copper targets with arrows, while driving a chariot with the reigns tied round his waist. Upon the death of Tuthmosis III, Amenhotep II inherited a vast empire, it was not something that he intended to lose – any rebellions were severely dealt with and a series of campaigns were made into Syria.
Amenhotep III ruled (1417-1379 BC) Egypt at the height of its power. His father was Tuthmosis IV by one of that king’s chief queens, Mutemwiya. She may have, though mostly in doubt now, been the daughter of the Mitannian king, Artatama. That queen was indeed probably sent to Egypt for the purposes of a diplomatic marriage. He was more likely between six and twelve years of age at the time of his father’s death.
Amenhotep III’s own chief queen, was not of royal blood, but came from a very substantial family. She was Tiy, the daughter of Yuya and his wife, Tuya, who owned vast holdings in the Delta. Yuya was also a powerful military leader. His extensive diplomatic contacts with other Near Eastern states, especially Mitanni and Babylonia, are revealed in the Amarna tablets. Of the great temple he built near Thebes, only two statues, the so-called colossi of Memnon, remain. Amenhotep’s wife Tiye, a woman of humble birth, was prominently associated with him during his long and peaceful reign.We know at least six of his children consisting of two sons and four daughters (other daughters including Henuttaneb and Nebetiah). However, his probable oldest son, Tuthmosis died early leaving the future heretic king, Amenhotep IV, otherwise known as Akhenaten, as the crown prince. His extensive diplomatic contacts with other Near Eastern states, especially Mitanni and Babylonia, are revealed in the Amarna tablets. Of the great temple he built near Thebes, only two statues, the so-called colossi of Memnon, remain. travel news