Welcome to an exciting journey back in time to ancient Egypt! Today, we’re exploring the life and achievements of Amenhotep III, one of the most remarkable pharaohs of Egypt’s New Kingdom. His reign marked a period of great wealth and power, earning him the title of Amenhotep the Magnificent.
Amenhotep III was born around 1400 BC to Thutmose IV and one of his secondary wives. Although he wasn’t initially expected to become pharaoh, the early death of his older brother paved the way for his ascension to the throne. Amenhotep became pharaoh around 1391 BC, likely at the young age of 12, with a regent helping him rule initially.
He married his Great Royal Wife, Tiye, who played a significant role in his life and reign. While Amenhotep had many other wives, mostly princesses from neighboring kingdoms, his bond with Tiye was particularly special.
Amenhotep III’s reign lasted nearly four decades, during which he focused on diplomacy rather than warfare. He skillfully used marriage alliances and wealth to maintain peace and secure loyalty from neighboring kingdoms. This allowed him to concentrate on grand building projects, making him one of ancient Egypt’s most prolific builders.
One of Amenhotep’s first major projects was expanding the Karnak Temple complex in Thebes. He opened new limestone quarries to ensure a steady supply of stone, overseeing extensive renovations and building a monumental gateway adorned with giant statues of himself.
Amenhotep also had a fascination with scarabs, small beetle-shaped amulets, which he used to record his achievements. These scarabs provide valuable insights into his reign, detailing his hunting skills and generous gifts to his wife, Tiye.
In addition to Karnak, he built a new temple complex in the desert, known as Per-Ha, which became his permanent residence. This complex featured luxurious apartments, workshops, and numerous temples.
The most significant construction of his reign was the Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III, also called the Mansion of Millions of Years. This grand structure was intended for worship long after his death. Unfortunately, it was built too close to the Nile and suffered from flooding and earthquakes over the centuries. Despite these challenges, modern excavations have uncovered many artifacts and statues, showcasing Amenhotep’s legacy as a great builder.
Amenhotep’s reign was not without personal tragedy. Around 1365 BC, he lost his eldest son, Crown Prince Thutmose, which was a significant blow to him and his people. He then named his second son as the new Crown Prince.
Throughout his reign, Amenhotep celebrated several Sed Festivals, which were important ceremonies marking a pharaoh’s long rule. He spent lavishly on temples and statues for these celebrations, further solidifying his legacy.
Amenhotep III passed away during his 38th year as pharaoh, close to the age of 50. He was buried in a grand tomb in the Valley of the Kings, which continues to be a site of archaeological interest.
Today, Amenhotep’s legacy can still be found throughout Egypt and the world, thanks to the efforts of archaeologists and historians. His reign is remembered as a time of peace, prosperity, and monumental achievements, leaving a lasting impact on the history of ancient Egypt.
Research the key events of Amenhotep III’s reign and create a timeline. Include his rise to power, major building projects, and significant personal events. Use images and brief descriptions to make your timeline visually engaging.
Imagine you are an architect in ancient Egypt. Design a new monument for Amenhotep III. Draw your design and write a short paragraph explaining its purpose and significance. Consider the materials and style used during his reign.
In groups, role-play a diplomatic meeting between Amenhotep III and a neighboring kingdom. Discuss how marriage alliances and gifts could be used to maintain peace. Present your role-play to the class, highlighting the diplomatic strategies used.
Write a journal entry from the perspective of Amenhotep III or his Great Royal Wife, Tiye. Describe a day in their life, focusing on their thoughts and feelings about the challenges and achievements during his reign.
Research the significance of scarab amulets in ancient Egypt. Create your own scarab design that symbolizes an achievement or event from Amenhotep III’s reign. Share your design with the class and explain its meaning.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hello and welcome to another episode of Biographics! I’m your interim host, Carl Smallwood. Today, we’re talking about Amenhotep III, the pinnacle of Egyptian prosperity. As with all the videos here on Biographics, this one is based on an original script submitted to us by a member of our writing team, Ru Alexander. You can follow them on the social media links below if you’re interested. My links are also down there, along with the usual buttons to help the channel grow, which means I get paid more. So, like, comment, and subscribe if you enjoy the content!
Before we dive into the video, I want to mention that this video contains a lot of words I was unfamiliar with, so I looked up pronunciation guides for ancient Egyptian kings and pharaohs. While researching, I came across an old documentary narrated by a British gentleman about the Valley of the Kings, where he referred to artifacts in the Egyptian Museum as “our culture.” It was a bit uncomfortable to hear.
Today, we’re traveling back to the 14th century BC during the New Kingdom of Egypt, specifically the 18th Dynasty. This dynasty has produced many notable figures, including Queen Hatshepsut, Thutmose III, and the famous boy king, Tutankhamun. Our focus today is on Amenhotep III, who was the father of the aforementioned heretic and possibly Tutankhamun’s grandfather. He was the pharaoh who brought his kingdom to an unparalleled peak of international power, arguably creating the most prosperous period in Egypt’s history, earning him the title of Amenhotep the Magnificent.
Amenhotep was born around 1400 BC to Thutmose IV and one of his secondary wives. His father may not have been Pharaoh at the time of his birth, as his grandfather was the ruling monarch. Years later, when he became Pharaoh, Amenhotep was proclaimed to be the son of Amun, the king of the gods. His childhood was relatively relaxed, spent mostly around the family palace in a place called Gurob, where he was looked after by the king’s treasurer.
Originally, Amenhotep was not meant to become Pharaoh; that honor was supposed to go to Thutmose IV’s eldest son, who died young. When Amenhotep ascended the throne around 1391 BC, he was likely around 12 years old, so he probably had a regent ruling in his stead. Soon after taking the throne, he married his Great Royal Wife, Tiye. Over the years, Amenhotep took many other wives, mostly princesses from neighboring kingdoms, but his relationship with Tiye seemed to be truly special.
Amenhotep’s reign lasted almost four decades, during which he only participated in one military campaign. He preferred diplomacy, often marrying the daughters of neighboring kings or using his wealth to secure loyalty. This allowed him to focus on building projects, and he is widely considered one of the most prolific builders of ancient Egypt.
His first major action as Pharaoh was to open several new limestone quarries. With a steady supply of stone, he began work on the Karnak Temple complex in Thebes, which had been under construction since the Middle Kingdom. Amenhotep oversaw extensive refurbishments and renovations, and he is credited with building a monumental gateway adorned with two giant statues of himself.
Amenhotep also had a fascination with scarabs, often inscribing his achievements on them rather than on stone monuments. Many scarabs have been found detailing his accomplishments, including his hunting prowess and gifts to his wife.
In addition to Karnak, Amenhotep constructed a new temple complex in the desert, originally called Per-Ha, which became his permanent residence. This complex included luxurious apartments, workshops, and numerous temples.
The most significant construction of his reign was the Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III, known as the Mansion of Millions of Years. This grand structure was designed for worship long after his death. Unfortunately, it was built too close to the Nile and suffered from flooding and earthquakes over the centuries.
Despite these challenges, modern excavations have uncovered many artifacts and statues buried for millennia. Amenhotep’s reputation as a great builder is well-deserved, and he ruled during a time of peace and prosperity.
However, his reign was not without personal tragedy. Around 1365 BC, he lost his eldest son, Crown Prince Thutmose, which was a significant blow to him and his people. Following this, he named his second son as the new Crown Prince.
Amenhotep celebrated several Sed Festivals, which were important ceremonies marking a Pharaoh’s long reign. He spent lavishly on temples and statues for these celebrations.
Amenhotep III passed away during his 38th year as Pharaoh, close to the age of 50. He was buried in a grand tomb in the Valley of the Kings, which has been the subject of archaeological interest.
Today, Amenhotep’s legacy can still be found throughout Egypt and the world, thanks to the efforts of archaeologists and historians. If you’d like to follow our author, Ru Alexander, on social media, you can find the links below. Feel free to leave comments for feedback or suggestions for future videos. Thank you for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe for more content!
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This version maintains the essence of the original transcript while removing any inappropriate or informal language.
Amenhotep – A name given to several pharaohs of ancient Egypt, most notably Amenhotep III, who was known for his extensive building projects and prosperous reign. – Amenhotep III’s reign is often considered a golden age in ancient Egyptian history due to the peace and wealth that flourished during his time.
Egypt – An ancient civilization located in northeastern Africa, known for its pyramids, pharaohs, and contributions to writing and architecture. – The civilization of ancient Egypt is famous for its monumental pyramids and the rich history of its pharaohs.
Reign – The period during which a sovereign rules over a kingdom or empire. – The reign of Queen Hatshepsut was marked by significant achievements in trade and architecture.
Prosperity – A state of wealth and success, often resulting in cultural and economic growth. – The prosperity of ancient Egypt during the New Kingdom allowed for the construction of grand temples and monuments.
Archaeology – The scientific study of ancient cultures through the examination of artifacts, buildings, and other remaining material evidence. – Archaeology has provided valuable insights into the daily lives of people in ancient civilizations like Egypt.
Temples – Structures built for religious or spiritual activities, often dedicated to gods or deities in ancient cultures. – The temples of Karnak and Luxor are among the most impressive architectural achievements of ancient Egypt.
Artifacts – Objects made or used by humans in the past, often uncovered during archaeological excavations. – The discovery of artifacts such as pottery and tools helps archaeologists understand the culture of ancient societies.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, often recorded in written documents and artifacts. – Studying history allows us to learn about the successes and failures of past civilizations.
Pharaohs – The rulers of ancient Egypt, considered to be both political and religious leaders. – The pharaohs of ancient Egypt were often buried in elaborate tombs, such as the pyramids of Giza.
Legacy – Something handed down from an ancestor or from the past, often referring to cultural achievements or traditions. – The legacy of ancient Egypt includes its monumental architecture and advances in writing and mathematics.
