The Egyptian Golden Empire

The Egyptian Golden Empire
The period in ancient Egyptian history covering the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and
Twentieth Dynasties of Egypt was considered Egypt's most prosperous time and
marked the peak of its power. Known as The New Kingdom, and also referred to as
the Egyptian Golden Empire, it was a golden age of architecture and art. The New
Kingdom was a result of many factors that gave rise to one of the most creative
cultures of the ancient world.
Royal Luxury
The Egyptian Pharaohs expanded their regime through diplomacy, trade, and war,
which helped Egypt gain centuries of political stability and prosperity. Foreign lands
like Nubia that was home to the richest gold mines in the ancient world poured money
into Egypt. Hatshepsut, the longest reigning female pharaoh and the most successful
Pharoah in Egypt, built a magnificent temple at Deir el-Bahri. Soon after other
Pharaohs like Amenhop III commissioned vast numbers of buildings and was the first
to create the gigantic statue or Colossus. Later Ramesses II rebuilt, redecorated or
expanded almost every temple in Egypt.
Temples and their Significance
Pharaohs thanked the gods who they believed had helped them in creating a
prosperous land and hence most of the surplus money was used to commission
Temples that became one of the main architectural innovations of the New Kingdom.
The structures were considered the most important buildings in ancient Egypt and
gave the Pharaohs an opportunity to display their wealth and generosity.
The famous temple at Karnak was devoted to the chief of the gods- Amen-Re.
The temple expansion was done extensively by Ramesses II, though today the
remains of the oldest sanctuary of Karnak can be traced scantily only from late in the
New Kingdom.
The Luxor Temple was not devoted to a cult god or a deified version of the king in
death. Instead, the temple of Luxor is dedicated to the reinstating of kingship; perhaps
where many of the kings of Egypt got crowned. Considered amongst the great works
of ancient art, Amenhotep III built the temple of Luxor. The plans were consistent yet
on a much larger scale than the older sanctuary. Amon, the god of procreation, was
worshipped here and had a significance for the king, whose divine conception and
birth are symbolized in the "birth room" on the east side.
Creation of Tombs
The Golden Empire saw a change from pyramids to tombs, started by Amenhotep I,
and later followed by other pharaohs. The tombs were carved out of the rock face, and
termed as the Valley of the Kings, with other valleys meant for queens and princes.
Exquisitely decorated with fine paintings or carved reliefs of religious texts, the tombs
were intended to help the dead successfully pass on their way to the afterlife
Although the Pharaohs sat at the top of society, they are only part of the story. In fact,
Egypy's soldiers, farmers, artisans, and priests are the key people behind its immense

success and legacy.
Author Bio: A specialist in ancient Egyptian art and archaeology, the author has
particular interests in the architecture of the New Kingdom era. The Temple of Luxor
is his personal favorite.