UNESCO Ancient Civilizations of Africa (Editor G. Mokhtar)

Pharaonic Egypt
eventually changed his name to Tutankhamun. 36 Since we know that
this young Pharaoh died at about 18 years of age and that he reigned for
at least nine years, he was probably about eight years old at his
accession. The origin of these two kings is disputed, yet both based their
claims to the throne upon marriages to the daughters of Akhenaton. During
the reign of Tut-Ankh-Amon, and even after his death; there was some
hesitation in repudiating Aton who, in spite of the restoration of Amon,
maintained a place among the gods which continued during the short reign
of King Ay who followed Tut-Ankh-Amon. It was only with Horemheb
that the persecution of Aton began with the same persistence that had
formerly applied to Amon.
Nineteenth dynasty 37
Horemheb came from a line of provincial noblemen in a small town of
Middle Egypt. His long career as commander of the Egyptian army and as
an administrator gave him an opportunity of assessing the political corruption
which had increased dangerously since the beginning of Akhenaton's
reign. On accession he promptly initiated a widespread series of reforms
which were beneficial to the country. He also issued a decree to expedite
the collection of national revenue and abolish corruption among military
and civil officials.
Horemheb showed great favour to an army officer called Pa-Ramesses
whom he made vizier and chose to succeed him on the throne. However,
Pa-Ramesses was already an old man and reigned for only two years, to be
followed by his son and co-regent Seti I, the first of a line of warriors who
turned all their efforts towards recovering Egypt's prestige abroad. As soon
as Seti I came to the throne, he faced serious danger from a coalition of
Syrian city states encouraged, and even sustained, by the Hittites. He was
able to defeat the coalition and enable Egypt to regain control over
Palestine. After repulsing a Libyan attack, we find Seti once again in
northern Syria where Egyptian troops came into contact with the Hittites
for the first time. He captured Kadeshm but though the Hittites were
forced to retire temporarily they retained their influence in northern Syria.
The war was continued by his successor Ramses II.
Under Ramses II the royal residence and administrative centre was
moved to a city in the north-east part of the Delta, called Per-Ramesse,
where a military base was established, suitable for marshalling large
bodies of infantry and chariotry. In the fifthyear of his reign Ramses II
set out at the head of four armies against a powerful coalition of Asiatic
36. The sensational discovery, in 1926, of the practically inviolate tomb of the young
Pharaoh gave rise to a great many articles, including more particularly, H. Carter and
A. C. Mace; C. Desroches-Noblecourt.
37. See E. Drioton and J. Vandier, 1962, ch. 9, pp. 349-56, and ch. 10, pp. 418-22;
R. O. Faulkner, 1975.
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