New kingdom egyptian pharaohs - Essay Example

As in ancient Egypt, the Pharaohs in the new kingdom, were at the top of social and political order, including control over military occupations. In addition, they helped maintain divine order in the world (PBS, n.d.). While Tutankhamun reopened the temples of Amun, Ahmose ended the war, which was begun by his grandfather, Tao II. Ahmose pampered the local administrators with gifts of land and entrusted them with the responsibility of daily rule of his country. In the earlier dynasties, also the provincial leaders gained too much power because they had land and they were allowed freedom by the Pharaohs (Phouka, n.d.).

With the support of the military, he maintained the balance of power (DiPaolo, 1997). In the new kingdom, although people were educated and professionals could be found, peasants and servants remained at the bottom of the hierarchy as in ancient Egypt. Women remained confined to the house and taking care of the children (PBS). Queen Hapshepsut and Thutmose III turned Egypt into ancient super power (Millmore). Amenhotep III, like the kings of the ancient Egypt, built temples and statues, but he encouraged realism in art.

He and his son brought about changes in the cultural identity of the people during their reign. While most royal marriages have a political motive, Amenhotep III’s marriage had none. He maintained balance of power through democracy. His son Akhenaten tried to introduce the concept of godhead, which was both monotheistic and abstract. The portraits and paintings were revolutionary and allowed creative freedom. They displayed beauty and decay in real people rather than flatter the king and his family as in ancient Egypt (Millmore, 1997).

The New Kingdom Pharaohs established colonial settlements only at Tombos and the temple town of Kawa. These were not completely Egyptian sites as the local elites were allowed cultural and political autonomy provided the precious luxury goods reached the Pharaohs