1400 – 1362 BCE: Amunhotep III (18th Dynasty, Part 6)

Amunhotep the Son of Hapu. In 1370 BCE, the pharaoh's closest advisor was already eighty years old. At such an advanced age, Amunhotep the son of Hapu was experienced, educated…

Amunhotep III (Part 10): The Sed Festival, As Told by Kheruef Who Witnessed It. In regnal year 30, Amunhotep III celebrated the first of his sed-festivals. This was a spectacular…

Amunhotep III (Part 9): The Dark Years. Between 1380 and 1370 BCE, Egypt may have suffered an outbreak of disease. In this decade, at least four royal family members died,…

Interlude: Royal Children on the Rise. From 1385 to 1380, the prince of Egypt Thutmose was climbing up the ranks. From a lowly sem-priest to the chief of a great…

Interlude: Queen Tiy's Lucky Family. The family of Queen Tiy came from an interesting place, and led a fascinating life. Her mother and father - Tjuyu and Yuya - and…

Amunhotep III (Part 7): Three Tales of the Scarabs. From regnal years 9-11 (1932 - 1390 BCE), the royal court witnessed some very unusual developments. First, the King bagged his…

Interlude: Everything Bigger Than Everything Else. For 2000+ years, the Colossi of Memnon have dazzled visitors to Thebes. Greeks, Romans and modern tourists are enthralled by their size and spectacle.…

Amunhotep III (Part 6): City of a Hundred Pylons. In 1397 BCE, King Amunhotep III began a massive series of building projects in Thebes. At Karnak, Luxor Temple, and the…

Amunhotep III (Part 5): Exploring Nubia. In September 1397 BCE, Amunhotep III took a trip far beyond his borders. He and his warriors traversed the Bayuda Desert, explored the wastes,…