How did the Pharaohs of this period (akenhaten to rameses II) exercise control over Nubia?
The stage had been set for the start of the New Kingdom rule. The battles had been won and the
treaties had been signed. Just how they kept and consolidated what had already been gained will
be analysed through various primary and secondary sources in order to gain an accurate insight
into how the Pharaohs of this period exercised control over Nubia.
‘Amenhotep III ruled Egypt for almost 40 years. During that time Egypt enjoyed greater power
and prestige than it had before or since, prompting modern historians to call the reign of
Amenhotep III the Golden Age of Egyptian history’.
Amenhotep III did not have to struggle to make himself known as a great Pharaoh and the
question of having to go to war was never really needed to be considered. All of his success was
inherited from his father and forefathers before him. Diplomatic status was steady and
consolidation was the only requirement needed to be enforced by Amenhotep III. He had
inherited an extremely wealthy, powerful and stable empire. At the time, Egypt’s “dominative
power” played a key part in its influential role over Nubia. This influence was used to gain
valuable resources such as gold.
Amenhotep’s 40 year reign was one of peace, including only
one military campaign to Nubia.
Amenhotep’s successful rule was based on a clear hierarchal system of government where rulers
were carefully chosen with relations being very thorough and decisive. All people knew where
their place was. Nubia was controlled through the use of Viceroy’s.
They had titles such as
‘overseer of the south land’ and ‘the King’s Son of Kush’. The Viceroy was in charge of the
administration and resource collection that came out of Nubia. Amenhotep came to the throne
with a great advantage, this being the fact that all battles had already been won for him and all
treaties and alliances had been set in place. All he had to do was maintain what he had already
gained. He exercised his control over Nubia through the re-employment of strategies and
policies that were previously used before him by his forefathers. This was backed up by taking
greater responsibility for tasks rather than leaving them up to subordinates.
Successful control over Nubia was enforced through the strict maintenance of a strong army
which was backed up by extensive forts and garrisons that were scattered all throughout the
empire including Nubia. They assisted in the suppression of Nubian revolts and this exercised
control is a good example that proves that the Egyptian army was “effective when deployed.”
Amenhotep also maintained power over Nubia through the education of rulers and hostages
which increased their loyalty towards Egypt. Communication was a key factor contributing to
the effective control of Nubia. Keeping the Pharaoh informed about conflicting issues was
crucial in order for quick action to be taken. These issues were often the result of a King’s death
or the succession of a new King. People revolted and in order for peace to be restored
communication was extremely important.
This communication was also carried out between the
rulers. Flattering letters were quite common and gifts known as ‘tributes’ were an important part
of diplomatic relations. Through ‘tributes’, Egypt’s influence over Nubia can be clearly seen.
Reliefs that show Nubians presenting gold and exotic goods to viceroys gives us evidence that
Nubians respected the Egyptian Pharaoh’s quite possibly because of his power and influence
over them which is reflected in their generous offerings.
It is not known how much of the
Pharaoh’s control was exercised through conflictive situations as it was “customary to represent
the Pharaoh in reliefs as a warrior – king.” However, there is evidence to support a campaign in
Nubia which was found on a stela at the 1 st cataract. It tells of force being exercised by the
Egyptians in order to control Nubia. The stela e records a revolt in Nubia in Amenhotep’s 5 th
year of reign and says he went and invaded Nubia to defeat rebels.
“One came to tell his majesty: ‘the foe of Kush the wretched has planned rebellion in his heart’.
His Majesty led on unto his victory, he completed it on his first victorious campaign. His majesty
went forth like Horus, like Montu… He knew not this lion which was before him; Neb mare
(Amenhotep III) was a fierce – eyed lion, he seized Kush. All the chiefs were overthrown in their
valleys, cast down in their own blood.”
As it was with Amenhotep, “Akhenaten inherited this wealthy kingdom – but it was not without
encroaching danger.”
Akhenaten continued on with his fathers work in Nubia which included the completion of
temples and some new reforms in the religious structure. The construction of temples in Nubia
was one way Egypt exercised control over them by controlling their worship. In a way, they were
attempting to Egyptianise the Nubian culture.
Akhenaten Kept control of Nubia through the use of a well maintained army just like his father
before him. In the 12 th year of his reign there is evidence to support a Nubian campaign led by
Thutmose, the viceroy of Nubia at the time. He recorded this…
“There are no rebels in your time, your war cry is like a flame of fire in pursuit of all foreign
lands!”
This account gives us evidence to conclude that Akhenaten did indeed continue to exercise
control over Nubia through the use of military conflict like his father.
The reign of Tutankhamen was extremely short and thus not a lot of evidence is recorded to
suggest any campaigns carried out in Nubia. Although in the tomb of Huy who was the viceroy
of Nubia at the time, there are reliefs that depict Nubian’s offering tribute which must mean that
Egypt’s power and influence was still very much a factor in their control.
After Aye’s short lived reign of 4 years, the experienced military commander Horemheb came to
the throne. Horemheb’s military campaigns included one to Nubia that is “recorded in a rock –
cut temple at Silsileh.”
‘he triumphs over the princes of every country. His bow is in his hand like the lord of Thebes
(Montu), mighty in strength, who carried away the princes of wretched Kush… He attributes the
victory to Amen who replied to Horemheb: “I have given you triumph over the south.”‘
The control over Nubia went into the 19 th Dynasty with Ramses I and Seti I continuing to
dominate Nubia through the use of military and building campaigns. In reliefs found at a desert
temple north of Edfu, Seti I is found ‘celebrating his dominance of the south by being presented
with a sword by Amen and smiting a group of Nubians’.
It can be said that Nubia was very much
under the control of Egypt with mining and trade being fully exploited.
Ramses II – The Great also exercised his control over the Nubians with a campaign in the 14 th
year of his rule. Its purpose was to suppress rebellion and it is depicted on reliefs in a small
temple at Beit el Wali in the south of Nubia. He also continued to Egyptianise Nubia through the
construction of temples to promote the worship of Egyptian god’s.
In conclusion, it can be said that there is no doubt that the Pharaohs of this period exercised
control over Nubia. Through analysing the source material it is clearly seen that Egypt’s
dominative power is most successful due to its strong government structure, the extensive
building programs throughout Nubia and the up to date maintenance of a strong and effective
army supported by forts and garrisons.
The power that was available was fully exploited and is
the reason that Egypt was the major force and influence over Nubia in New Kingdom Egypt.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Breasted, JH, Records of Ancient Egypt, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1906.
Breasted, JH, Ancient Records of Egypt, Vol 3, University of Chicago press, Chicago, 1906
El Mandy, C, Tutankhaman: The life and death of a boy – king, Headline book publishing,
London, 1999.
Kitchen, KA, Pharaoh Triumphant, Aris & Phillips Ltd, England, 1982.
Lawless, J, Studies in Ancient Egypt, Second Edition, Nelson Thomson learning, Australia,
2000.
Redford, DB, Akhenaten: The Heretic King, American University in Cairo Press, 1984.
web Nubia, website
web Egypt: Nubia History, website.