Amenhotep iii

Amenhotep III.
General conditions summary:
- A-III’s reign represents an
overall peak in New Kingdom
prosperity:
- Wealth entering Egypt from
throughout its empire and
adjacent regions:
a.International trade
b. Official gifts & tribute
from other kingdoms
c.Annual dues from vassal
city-states
d. Gold from Wadi Hammamat
and the land of Kush.

DYNASTY 18:
Ca. 1550 – 1295 BC
10. Amenhotep III
(Greek: Amenophis III)
Ca. 1390 – 1352 BC

Amenhotep III:
Amenhotep III’s parents:
• Amenhotep III was born to T-IV
via a secondary queen, Mutemwia
(i.e., she was not the chief queen).
• However, after the birth ofA-III
& upon his accession to the throne,
she is titled both “king’s mother”
and “god’s mother.”
• Amenhotep III provides his mother
the title “great royal wife,” elevating
her status in relation to his deceased
father (Thutmose IV).
• Mutemwia appears to have lived
several decades into Amehotep III’s
reign, possibly as late as his last
decade (she is cited on the Colossi
of Memnon [his mortuary statues]).
MutemwiaT.IV

Amenhotep III:
A-III’s early years as a prince:
• Thutmose IV had several/many sons,
but, in a uncommon move in Dyn.18,
he elevated one prince early to the
position of crown prince, namely
Amenhotep (III).
• On public monuments A-III is shown
clearly as the favoured son,
at a larger scale than 6 other princes.
• He is designated “king’s son of his
body” in the tomb of his tutor
Heqarneheh (TT64).
• Amenhotep III reached about 10+?
when Thutmose IV died somewhere
in his 20s or 30s (i.e., 25-40 yrs old),
having reigned only 10-12 years.
• A-III, who ruled 38 years, apparently
died somewhere between 40 to 50
(i.e., Smith’s assessment of his body). TT.64 of Heqarneheh: Amenhotep III as crown prince

Amenhotep III:
Amenhotep III ascends the throne:
• Hence, around the age of 10+ years,
Amenhotep III inherited the throne
from his father, Thutmose IV:
(and mother Queen Mutemwia).
•He reigned 38 years & adopted the
traditional 5 titles, but designed their
particulars (as did other kings):
Horus-name:
i.e., earthy representative of Horus
“Strong bull, appearing in truth.”
Two ladies name:
i.e., protected by goddesses of UE-LE
“Who establishes laws,
who pacifies the Two Lands.”
Golden Horus-name:
“Great of strength,
smiter of theAsiatics.”

Amenhotep III:
Amenhotep III ascends the throne:
King of Upper and Lower Egypt:
introducing the prenomen cartouche
also called the “throne-name”:
Neb-maat-Ra (“Ra is the lord of truth”)
Son of Ra:
introducing the nomen cartouche
also called the “birth-name”:
Amen-hetep heqa-Waset
(“Amenhotep, ruler of Thebes”).
Cartouches of Amenhotep III on leftside
Cartouche of Queen Tiye on right side

Amenhotep III:
Public statement via titulary:
• The selection of the royal titulary
made a statement regarding each
ruler’s initial perspective:
• Amenhotep III promoted himself
as being an excellent pharaoh,
a promoter of “maat” (law, order,
justice) in both Egypt & abroad.
Amenhotep III offering maat (on faience vessel)

Amenhotep III:
Adapting his titulary over time:
• Like other rulers, AmenhotepIII
modified his titulary to suit new
or specific circumstances:
E.g., A-III’s colossal statues in
W. Thebes:
(Memnon) Horus-name:
“Ruler of rulers, king great of glory
in Thebes.”
(Memnon) Two Ladies-name:
“Great of monuments matching his
strength, which were brought from
Lower Egyptian Heliopolis to Upper
Egyptian Heliopolis.”
(i.e., statues quarried near Heliopolis)
(Memnon) Golden Horus-name:
“Who magnifies his mansion of
eternity.” (i.e., mortuary temple)

Amenhotep III:
Amenhotep III uses var. epithets:
- Like other rulers, Amenhotep III
places various epithets throughout
his regular titles and cartouches,
especially solar epithets:
E.g., “the good god.”
E.g., “lord of the Two Lands.”
E.g., “heir of Ra.”
E.g., “chosen one of Ra.”
E.g., “image of Ra before the Two
Lands.”

Amenhotep III:
A-III promotes his divine birth:
• Queen Mutemwia plays a major role
in Amenhotep III’s reign:
• Like Hatshepsut, he promoted his
divine birth via his mother and the god
Amun-Re.
Text in Luxor Temple: “birth room”:
“[Words spoken byAmon-Ra,
lord of the Thrones of the TwoLands,
foremost in his harem:]
When he had transformed himself into
the Majesty of this husband, the king of
Upper and Lower Egypt, Menkheprura
(Thutmose IV), given life, he found her
(Mutemwia) as she was resting in the
beauty of her palace.

Luxor Temple “Birth Room”
Mutemwia impregnated by godAmun
Amenhotep III:
“She awoke on account of the aroma
of the god and cried out in front of His
Majesty. He went to her straightaway
… and he caused her to see him in
his form of a god …
She rejoiced at the sight of his beauty,
and love of him coursed through
her limbs. The palace was flooded
with the god’s aroma; all his fragrances
were (of) Punt.”
“Words spoken by Mutemwia before
the Majesty of this august god,
Amon-Ra, lord of the thrones of the
Two Lands:
‘How great is your power! …
Your dew permeates all my limbs.’
And then the Majesty of this god did all
that he desired with her.”

Amenhotep III:
“Words spoken byAmon-Ra,
lord of the thrones of the TwoLands,
before her:
‘Amenhotep, ruler of Thebes, is the
name of this child I have placed in
your body.
… He shall exercise the beneficent
kingship in this whole land. …
He shall rule the Two Lands like Ra
forever.’” (Berman 1998: 4)
i.e., In such a fashion the Egyptian
rulers try to promote their divine
heritage, explaining both their
seemingly mortal parents, and
their apparent claims on being
semi-divine figures ruling on earth
at the behest of the gods!
god
Amun
Amenhotep III

Amenhotep III:
A-III promotes the sun-disk (Aten):
• Amenhotep III especially promotes
what becomes a personal royal cult,
namely the Aten, in his epithets:
E.g., “(Nebmaatra is) the Dazzling
Sun Disk.”
E.g., “(Nebmaatra is) the Dazzling
Sun Disk of all lands.”
• The “Sun Disk (Aten)” also appears
commonly as the designation for
a palace, royal ship, army company,
etc.
Elevation of the Aten
(“sun-disk”)  eventually
supreme deity under A-IV

Amenhotep III:
Summary of domestic affairs in years 1-11:
-Most intense activity in years 1-12
-Commemorative scarabs dispersed
throughout Egypt, empire & neighbours:
Yr-2: A-III’s marriage to QueenTiye.
Yr-2: A-III sportsman capturing 56of
170 wild cattle in a hunt.
Yrs-1-10: A-III personally killing 102 lions
until year 10 (Levantine issue).
Yr-10: Arrival of Princess Gilukhepa &317
attendants from Mitanni; sent by
her father (Shuttarna II) to marryA-III
Yr-11: A-III digs massive artificial basin/lake
(1/4 x 1 mile) for Queen Tiye.
Boating party in ship “Aten-Gleams”
Malkata: T-shaped basin (Birket Habu)

Amenhotep III:
Amenhotep III’s marriage to Tiye:
• Amenhotep III married Tiye,
who became his “great royal wife”
by his first-second years of rule.
• One of a series of 5 commemorative
scarabs celebrates Amenhotep III’s
marriage to Tiye, which took place
near the advent of his reign:
• Such commemorative scarabs were
issued & sent to selected high officials,
vassal rulers, and other dignitaries.
• However, a closer study of the year-2
scarabs & their texts suggests that all
of the scarab sets were produced and
issued in year-10, commemorating diff.
achievements in the kings first 10 yrs.
• The scarabs range 5-11 cm in length &
have lengthy texts boasting about var.
achievements or noteworthy events
Tiye

Amenhotep III:
A-III scarab noting Tiye’s parentage:
• So-called “marriage scarab,” probably
issued in year 10, reflecting his past
10 years of reign. Year-2 marriage?
“May Horus live, Strong Bull,
who rises in Truth;
Of the Two Ladies,
the One who establishes laws and
who makes the Two Lands peaceful;
Golden Horus, Great of strong arm,
who smites theAsiatics;
King of Upper & Lower Egypt, Nebmare,
Son of Re, Amenophis (III),
Ruler of Thebes, given life.
Great Queen Tiye, may she live.
The name of her father is Yuia.
The name of her mother is Tjuia.
She is the wife of the strong King.
His Southern boundary is at Kuroy,
the Northern (one) is at Nahrin.”
(Davies 1992: 38)
The so-called “marriage” scarab
of Amenhotep III and Qn.Tiye

Amenhotep III:
Tiye’s parentage & privileges:
• Her parents, Tuya and Yuya, were
two of the few commoners given
the privilege of a burial place (KV46)
in the Valley of the Kings.
• Her father Yuya is given the honorary
title “god’s father,” which is often
bestowed on important New Kingdom
officials who served in a father-like
role regarding the king:
E.g., royal tutors, viziers, generals.
Mother: Tuya Father: Yuya
Tomb of Tuya & Yuya:
granted the honour of
burial in V. of the KIngs

Amenhotep III:
Tiye’s parents = from common stock:
Yuya also held the titles:
- “master of the horse;”
- “His Majesty’s lieutenant commander
of the chariotry;”
- “priest of Min;”
- “Overseer of cattle of Min, lord of
Akhmin;”
• He likely originated from Akhmim;
his name appears foreign(?), and
he may be of foreign derivation.
• Upon her daughter’s elevation,
Tuya assumed the title:
- “king’s mother of the great royal wife”
She also had other titles:
- “chief of the entertainers of Min;”
- “chief of the entertainers ofAmen;”
- “priestess ofAmon;”
- “singer of Hathor.” Mummy of Yuya (father of Tiye)

Amenhotep III:
Tiye’s parents = from common stock:
Yuya also held the titles:
- “master of the horse;”
- “His Majesty’s lieutenant commander
of the chariotry;”
- “priest of Min;”
- “Overseer of cattle of Min, lord of
Akhmin;”
• He likely originated from Akhmim;
his name appears foreign(?), and
he may be of foreign derivation.
• Upon her daughter’s elevation,
Tuya assumed the title:
- “king’s mother of the great royal wife”
She also had other titles:
- “chief of the entertainers of Min;”
- “chief of the entertainers ofAmen;”
- “priestess ofAmon;”
- “singer of Hathor.” Mummy of Tuya (mother of Tiye)

Amenhotep III:
Egypt lacked the title king’s brother:
- The 2nd High Priest of Amun,Anen,
never mentions any relationship
(via parents: Tuya & Yuya; sisterTiye)
with Amenhotep III:
- in our terms, Anen had becomeA-III’s
brother-in-law.
- BUT, we only know this since his
mother (Tuya) boasts about her son
several times.
- Throughout pharaonic history,
it seems the status of king’s brother
was deemed taboo(!): = not a title.
i.e., it is not recognized officially.
(except by Nubians in Dyn.25).
- Perhaps the kingship myth, in which
Seth seizes the throne from his
brother Osiris, influenced the decision
not to acknowledge the “King’s brother”
Amenhotep III:
Kings did not recognize a “King’s Brother”:
Why? Potential rival for throne? Unlucky?
Brother-in-law

Amenhotep III:
Egypt lacked the title king’s brother:
- The 2nd High Priest of Amun,Anen,
never mentions any relationship
(via parents: Tuya & Yuya; sisterTiye)
with Amenhotep III:
- in our terms, Anen had becomeA-III’s
brother-in-law.
- BUT, we only know this since his
mother (Tuya) boasts about her son
several times.
- Throughout pharaonic history,
it seems the status of king’s brother
was deemed taboo(!): = not a title.
i.e., it is not recognized officially.
(except by Nubians in Dyn.25).
- Perhaps the kingship myth, in which
Seth seizes the throne from his
brother Osiris, influenced the decision
not to acknowledge the “King’s brother”
Anen,
Second
Prophet
of AmunBrother-in-law

Amenhotep III:
Elevation/prominence of Queen Tiye:
• It remains unknown how & whyA-III
married Tiye.
• His mother (Mutemwia) may have
guided this decision since A-III was
still fairly young when he became king.
• Queen Tiye becomes more prominent
than most former queens (excepting
Hatshepsut):
• Qn. Tiye often appears with A-III in…
a. statuary,
b. stelae,
c. tomb scenes,
d. temple scenes,
e. artifacts: e.g., containers, jewellery,
commemorative scarabs, etc.

Amenhotep III:
Elevation/prominence of Queen Tiye:
Qn. Tiye is depicted in the role of the
goddess Hathor alongside the king:
i.e., Headdress with cow horns &
sun-disk.
Qn. Tiye is portrayed as a sphinx in
her role as A-III’s consort:
i.e., Formerly reserved for kings only.
Qn. Tiye is provided her own cult
temple in her guise as a form of
Hathor:
i.e., Tiye’s temple at Sedeinga (Nubia),
assoc. with A-III’s temple at Soleb.
Hathor (above)
A-III & Tiye
(below)
Queen Tiye in form of
goddess Taweret
Generic example

Amenhotep III:
Amenhotep III and Tiye’s children:
- 4 daughters who are portrayed often
in scenes and statuary:
a. Sitamen  “great royal wife” ofA-III
year 30 (in her 20s)
b. Isis  “great royal wife” ofA-III
year 34+? (in her 20s)
c. Henuttaneb
d. Nebetah
- The father-daughter “marriages” may
simply have been ritualistic,
with the titles being only honorific,
modeled after gods who married
women from multiple generations.
- Of note, Akhenaten also “married” a
few daughters (it is debated whether
any children resulted from these
marriages).
3 daughters at parents’feet

Amenhotep III:
- 4 daughters who are portrayed often
in scenes and statuary:
a. Sitamen  “great royal wife” ofA-III
year 30 (in her 20s)
b. Isis  “great royal wife” ofA-III
year 34+? (in her 20s)
c. Henuttaneb
d. Nebetah
- The father-daughter “marriages”
may simply have been ritualistic (?),
with the titles being only honorific (?),
modeled after gods who married
women from multiple generations.
- Of note, Akhenaten also “married” a
few daughters (it is debated whether
any children resulted from these
marriages). Reveals Pharaonic Egypt has minimal
evidence for full brother-sister marriages!

Amenhotep III:
- In Dyn.18, royal sons are seldom
depicted alongside the king in scenes
and sculpture:
A-III’s eldest son, Thutmose (V):
a. Became a sem-priest,
b. Rose to High Priest of Ptah
(Memphis),
c. He officiates with his father in
burying the first Apis bull at
Saqqara (in the serapeum).
d. He made a sarcophagus for his cat,
Ta-miu (“She-cat”).
e. He apparently pre-deceasedA-III.
Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten):
- Another son of AmenhotepIII,
who eventually succeeded his father
to the throne.
Apis Bull

Prince Thutmose (V) officiating alongside Amenhotep III in burying Apis Bull
Thutmose (V)
Sem-priest

Amenhotep III:
-In Dyn.18, royal sons are seldom
and sculpture:
b. Rose to high priest of Ptah
(Memphis),
to the throne.
Prince Thutmose V: Body on Osiris-bier
Ba-bird (soul)

Amenhotep III:
• In Dyn.18, royal sons are seldom
and sculpture:
b. Rose to high priest of Ptah
(Memphis),
to the throne.

Amenhotep III:
Early years of Amenhotep III’s reign:
• During the first two years of his reign,
Amenhotep III commanded that
new areas of limestone quarrying
begin at …
(a) Tura (near Memphis/Cairo),
and
(b) Deir el-Bersha (Middle Egypt).
• The opening of new quarries
marks the beginning of prolific
building
projects throughout Egypt during
his reign.

Amenhotep III:
Year 2 wild bull hunt:
•Another set of commem. scarabs
date specifically to year 2, and
celebrate a successful wild bull hunt:
“Regnal year 2 under the Majesty of …
… (5 titles follow as before) …
Amenhotep (III), ruler of Thebes, given
life, and the great royal wife Tiye;
may she live like Ra.
A wonder befell His Majesty.
One came to His Majesty saying,
‘There are wild bulls on the desert of
the region of Shetep.’ (= W.el-Natrun?)
His Majesty sailed downstream in
the royal barge Kha-em-maat
at the time of evening,
making good time, arriving in peace
at the region of Shetep
at the time of morning.”

Amenhotep III:
“His Majesty appeared in his chariot
with his whole army in back of him.
One instructed the officers
and the children of the nursery (kap)
to keep a watch on these wild bulls.
Then His Majesty commanded
to be caused that one surround
these wild bulls with an enclosure
with a ditch, and His Majesty
proceeded against all these wild bulls.
The number thereof: 170 wild bulls.
The number His Majesty took
in hunting on this day: 56 wild bulls.
His Majesty waited four days,
to give rest to his horses.
His Majesty appeared in the chariot.
The number of wild bulls he took
in hunting: 40 wild bulls.
Total of wild bulls: 96.” (Berman 1998: 12-13) Generic wild bull hunt (Ramesses III)
Shetep:
wild bull hunt

Amenhotep III:
- This form of hunting is a typical
pastime for New Kingdom rulers,
& included wild bulls, lions, elephants,
and other animals.
- In addition, in hunting the king also
carried out a very clear symbolic role:
i.e., reducing the elements of chaos
and imposing maat upon the universe.
Tutankhamun hunting ostriches
in his chariot
King
Tut.
harp-
ooning
Ramesses III hunting wild bulls
in his chariot

Amenhotep III:
Year 5 campaign against Kushite
rebels:
• In his 5th year, Amenhotep III leads
a campaign in person against rebels
in Nubia, apparently reaching as far
south as 5th Cataract & Shendi reach,
perhaps even the “Island of Meroe.”
• Three rock-cut texts near Aswanand
the Island of Sai (just South of
2nd Cataract) date the campaign to
“Regnal year 5, third month of
Inundation, day 2”:
• The main text provides a few details.
• After listing Amenhotep III’s titles
and many epithets praising
his qualities, the main rock-text
proceeds:
Amenhotep III year 5 campaign in Nubia

Amenhotep III:
Year 5 campaign against Kush:
“One came to tell His Majesty,
‘The fallen one of vile Kush has plotted
rebellion in his heart.’
His Majesty led on to victory;
he completed it in his first campaign
of victory.
His Majesty reached them
like the wing stroke of a falcon,
like Menthu (war god of Thebes)
in his transformations …
Ikheny, the boaster
in the midst of his army,
did not know the lion
that was before him.
Nebmaatra was the fierce-eyed lion
whose claws seized vile Kush,
who trampled down all its chiefs
in their valleys,
they being cast down in their blood,
one on top of the other …” (Berman 1998:11)

Amenhotep III.
International Relations:
- The Konosso Stela recorded
Nubian rebellions in year 5.
- A few rock texts fromAswan
from year 5 augment the
Konosso text.
- However, an undated Semna
stela may record another battle?
Another? expedition to Nubia:
- Viceroy of Kush, Merymose:
i. suppressed rebellion at Ibhet
ii. king “massacres” rebels
a. 312 right hands (kills)
b. 740 captives
-250 women
-175 children
-150 men
-110 archers
- 55 servants
WAWAT
KUSH
REBELLION

Amenhotep III:
The same/another campaign to Kush:
• The viceroy of Kush, Merymose,
led an undated campaign against
Ibhet, which probably lay in the desert
to the southeast of the 2nd Cataract
(noted in a fragmentary stela from
Fort Semna).
• This place’s location much further
north of A-III’s year 5 campaign
has led to speculation that it refers
to a separate campaign (?).
Dyn.18, temp. AmenhotepIII:
Stela of Viceroy Merymose
at Tombos (near 3rd Cataract)

Amenhotep III:
Campaign against Ibhet in Kush:
• The viceroy of Kush, Merymose,
led troops against a rebellion at Ibhet
gathering troops from each village.
Semneh Stela (BM 657 [138]).
“… [some lines lost] …
Now, after [several days had passed],
the time for reaping the harvest of the
enemies of Ibhet came. Every man
came down to his right place. Then
the army of Pharaoh, l.p.h., which
was under the authority of the
viceroy, was mustered, and
companies of troops were formed,
commanded by commanders –
every man assigned according to
his village, beginning from the fortress
of Baky (= Quban) down to the fortress
of Tery, making 52 iteru [546 km] of
sailing.” (340 river miles Quban to Tery[?])
? Fort Tery
Fort Baky

Amenhotep III:
Semneh Stela: attack against Ibhet.
“The strong arm of Nebmare brought
them away in one day, in a single hour,
and a great slaughter was made. Their
children, their women and their cattle
were brought away, not one of them
escaped. Not one of them was able to
get away (?) …. fear …. The strong
arm of Amenophis III brought them
away. The desert dwellers amongst
them, whether male or female, were
not absent from the plans of Horus,
Lord of the Two Lands, King of Upper
and Lower Egypt, Nebmare, Strong
Bull, Powerful of Might.
Ibhet was boastful, for great things
were in their hearts. The fierce lion,
the Ruler, has killed them under the
command of Amun, his noblefather.
It was he who led him in bravery and
strength.”

Amenhotep III:
Semneh Stela: attack against Ibhet.
“Amount of plunder which His Majesty
brought from the country of vile Ibhet:
Living Nubians
Skirmishers (archers?)
Female Nubians
Nubian servants
Their children
Total:
Hands thereof:
150 heads
110 heads
250 heads
55 heads
175 heads
740 heads
312
Combined with the living1052
The viceroy was vigilant for his lord,
being one who is trusted by the good
God, namely the overseer of the entire
country of vile Kush, royal scribe,
Merymose, he says: ‘Hail to you, O this
good God. Great is your power against the
one who attacks you. You have caused
those who rebel against you to say –’The
fire has destroyed us and our name!’ You
have killed all your opponents, they being
overthrown under your sandals.”
Generic scene: Nubian male & female POWs
Generic scene: Nubian female POWs

Amenhotep III:
Yr-10 lion-hunt tally of Amenhotep III:
• Year 10 appears to mark a special
point in Amenhotep III’s reign,
during which he feels a need
to issue a couple of sets of
commemorative scarabs:
• In one set, he tallies up all the lions
he has killed during the course of his
first 10 years of reign, claiming
to have killed either 102 lions,
or 110 lions, to-date:
Top/back design of scarab-seal
the “Lion Hunt” scarab of A-III

Amenhotep III:
Lion-hunt scarab (year 10):
“May Horus live, Strong Bull,
who rises in Truth;
Of the Two Ladies,
King of Upper & Lower Egypt,
Nebmare,
Son of Re, Amenophis (III),
Ruler of Thebes, given life.
The number of lions which His Majesty
brought from his own shoot(ing),
beginning from year 1 down to year 10
-- savage lions, 102.”
(Davies 1992: 38).
Text written on base of
the “Lion Hunt” scarab of A-III

Amenhotep III:
Year 10 diplomatic marriage ofA-III:
• In another set of year-10 scarabs,A-III
celebrates the arrival of princess
Gilukhepa (the daughter of Šuttarna,
King of Mitanni), along with the 317
women in her entourage.
Mitannian marriage scarab (year 10):
“Year 10 under the Majesty of Horus,
Strong Bull, who rises in Truth;
Of the Two Ladies,
King of Upper & Lower Egypt,
Lord of Action, chosen one of Re,
Amenophis (III), Ruler of Thebes,
given life.
The name of her father is Yuia.
The name of her mother is Tjuia.
Amenhotep III

Amenhotep III:
Year 10 diplomatic marriage ofA-III:
• The text continues …
“The wonders which were brought
to His Majesty, may he live,
prosper and be healthy.
The daughter of the Ruler of Nahrin,
Sutarna, Kilugepa (Gilukhepa).
Chief women of her Harem
– 317 women.” (Davies 1992: 37).
• After this foreign marriage,
Amenhotep III negotiates & concludes
many diplomatic marriages and
alliances with neighbouring kingdoms.
Naharin

Amenhotep III:
Year 11 building a pleasure lake for
Queen Tiye:
• Amenhotep III commissioned the
digging of a massive lake/basin for
Queen Tiye.
• Many scholars have equated it
with the massive harbour basin
in West Thebes, fronting his
palace complex at Malkata.
• Others, like Yoyotte, locate it
near Akhmim, beside modernSohag.

Amenhotep III:
Yr-11 building pleasure lake for Tiye:
• This operation is described in the
year 11 commemorative scarab:
“Regnal year 11 under the Majesty of …
… (5 titles follow as before) …
Amenhotep (III), ruler of Thebes,
given life, and the great royal wife Tiye;
may she live; her father’s name is Yuya,
her mother’s name Tuya.
His Majesty commanded the making of
A lake for the great royal wifeTiye
–may she live—in her town of Djarukha.
Its length is 3,700 (cubits) and its width
is 700 (cubits). (His Majesty)
celebrated the Festival of Opening the
Lake in the third month of Inundation,
day sixteen.
His Majesty was rowed in the royal
barge Aten-tjehen (‘The-Dazzling-Sun-
Disk’) in it [the Lake].” (see Berman 1998:13).
750 x 2,200 m

Amenhotep III:
Domestic Affairs: building projects.
- Egypt in essence reaches its pinnacle of
power under Amenhotep III.
- Although in theory every Egyptian king
promoted himself as a deity, being the
mediator between humanity & the gods,
Amenhotep III pursued an especially
strong program of self-glorification:
- He established cults for his deified being
in Egypt-Nubia, even rivalling Amun cult.
In many temples, he described himself as
a. Amun’s “living image upon earth.”
b. “An image a million times great.”
c. “The dazzling sun disk of all lands.”
- His chief queen, a commoner called Tiye
is elevated to “Great Royal Wife” and
titled: “the wife of a mighty king.”
- He provided Tiye with her cult temple at
Sedeinga near A-III’s Soleb temple in Nubia.

Amenhotep III.
Domestic Affairs: building projects.
- A-III: prolific builder and embellishes
many cultic, state and public monuments
and structures throughout Egypt:
Soleb:
Sedeinga:
Amun-Re Temple (Nubia)
Qn. Tiye Temple
Thebes: Malkata palace complex.
Karnak Temple additions
Luxor Temple (MK shrine)
Massive mortuary temple.
Deir el-Ballas: Palace.
Hermopolis:
Memphis:
Egypt:
Thoth Temple.
Embellished temple
Many royal statues.
Private official:Amenhotep son of Hapu,
(architect of Luxor Temple),
built large mortuary temple
and made many statues.
Sedeinga
Soleb
Deir el-Ballas
Thebes
Hermopolis
Memphis

Amenhotep III.
DomesticAffairs:
Soleb:
Sedeinga:
Thebes:
Qn. Tiye Temple
Malkata palace complex.
Hermopolis: Thoth Temple.
Memphis:
Egypt:
Embellished temple
Many royal statues.
Sedeinga
Soleb
Deir el-Ballas
Thebes
Hermopolis
Memphis

Amenhotep III
Hermopolis: Temple of Thoth.

Amenhotep III.
DomesticAffairs:
Soleb:
Sedeinga:
Qn. Tiye Temple
Thebes: Malkata palace complex.
Hermopolis:
Memphis:
Egypt:
Thoth Temple.
Embellished temple
Many royal statues.
Sedeinga
Soleb
Deir el-Ballas
Thebes
Hermopolis
Memphis

Amenhotep III:
The middle years of A-III’s reign:
• Less dated information is forthcoming
for the middle years of A-III’s reign.
E.g., He issues a royal decree in yr.-20
appointing an official called Nebnefer,
and mentions other officials.
• The palace complex at Malkata (in
Thebes) has yielded pottery jars
bearing hieratic inscriptions dating to
regnal years 20, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29.
• Although most Dyn.18 rulers appear
to have resided mainly at Memphis,
Amenhotep III apparently transferred
his main residence to Thebes in
years 20+
• He occupied the palace complex
at Malkata.

Amenhotep III:
The middle years of A-III’s reign:
• In previous reigns, most Dyn.18
pharaohs seem only to have visited
Thebes for the annual Opet Festival,
or during excursions affiliated with
other festivals.
• Amenhotep III’s shift in residence
remains unexplained, but he
apparently resided at Malkata
for the remainder of his reign.
• He celebrated three Sed-festivals
in Thebes.
• Could his move to Thebes have been
related to health issues?
i.e., seeking the warmer climate of
Thebes.
Ramesside depiction of Opet festival
Procession from Karnak to Luxor Temple
celebrating king’s divine birth in Opet festival

NEW KINGDOM THEBES in reign of Amenhotep III:
Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple, Malkata palace & Birket Habu (basin) and Mortuary temple
Luxor Temple
Karnak
Temple
Malkata
Mortuary
temple

Deir el-Medina
Malkata
Valley of the Kings
Medinet Habu
Deir el-Bahari
THEBES:
Temples of
Karnak &
Luxor
THE RISE OF ANCIENT THEBES (modern-day Luxor)

Amenhotep III at Luxor temple
and Karnak Temple:
• Amenhotep decided to
re-model the earlyAmun-
temple (of Hatshepsut)
at the site of what has
become Luxor Temple of
Amenhotep III (& later).
• His vision linked directly
the new Luxor Temple
(of Amun and his royal cult)
with the cults of Amun, Mut,
& Khonsu at Karnak Temple.
• He elevated the Festival of
Opet (begun[?] under
Qn. Hatshepsut), and the
Beautiful Feast of the
Valley, to become a major
focus of Luxor Temple:
rites celebrating king’s
divine birth & deification (ka)

Dyn.18: Amenhotep III
Luxor Temple

Amenhotep III at Luxor temple
and Karnak Temple:
• His new Luxor Temple
focused on Karnak Temple,
being aligned northwards
and being dependent on
Karnak Temple (Ipet Isut).
• A-III increased the duration
of Hatshepsut’s 11-day
Opet Festival, which became
27 days under Ramesses III:
i.e., Egypt’s most important
festival.
• He built a major riverside
quay & entryway at
Karnak Temple (Pylon III),
removing the earlier
Thutmoside installations.
Frag. of colossal
statue of A-III
(beside Pylon X)

Amenhotep III’s Pylon III and riverside quay at Karnak:
• Amenhotep III’s revised Opet-festival celebrated the
unification of the king’s person and divinity (viaAmun)
which created a new, altered and divinized ruler:
i.e., self-promotion of cult of royal Ka (“spirit”-double).
• Procession of Sacred barque (Userhat) from Karnak
to Luxor, and back, done via Nile during A-III’s period,
including deities Amun, Mut (consort) & Khonsu(son)
• A-III removed T-IV’s festival court to build Pylon III etc.
TT.49 Neferhotep: illustrating Amenhotep III’s canal & basin
Pylon
III

Amenhotep III’s building program at Karnak:
- Pylon III area (reconstruction to right)
- Harbour front (basin) and quay for Karnak
- Etc.

Amenhotep III:
Main feast/festival in Thebes
“Opet Festival”
• Late August (flood)
• 2-4 week festival
• Ritual procession of cult
images: Karnak to Luxor
• Ritual re-enactment of the
sacred marriage between
Amun & the queen mother.
 divine kingship.
• Kings claimed divine relationship with
Amun.
• Kings represented Amun on earth
• During this procession, people could
petition deities for judgements (yes/no)

Amenhotep III:
Egyptian Temples in Thebes:
Another major feast and festival,
“Beautiful Feast of the Valley”
• Early summer festival involving
(1)procession of cult figures of
Amun, Mut and Khonsu
(2) departing Karnak Temple in
portable barques
(3) Crossing Nile westwards to
visit shrines & temples of deified
kings
(4) Festival included
remembering the deceased
(5) Festival contained aspects of
fertility, rebirth/renewal, and
rejuvenation.

Dyn.18: Amenhotep III mortuary temple.

Amenhotep III: massive harbour/basin (the Birket Habu), 750+ m x 2,200 m

West Thebes: The Birket Habu at Malkata.

Amenhotep III Malkata palace complex on west side

Malkata: W. Bank palace complex
• Main palace of AmenhotepIII
• S. Palace; N. Palace; Middle Palace
• Courtyards; parade grounds; W.gate
• Audience hall
• Kitchens
• West villas
• Temple ofAmun
• Storerooms
• Servant quarters
• Palace rubbish heaps
• Birket Habu (pleasure lake and
palace harbour).
“Palace of the King” (yr.8+)
“Parade”
ground

Palace of
The King
1.Large hall
2.Audience hall
3.Private hall
4.Columned hall
-Harem quarters
5.Private throne
6.Bathroom
7.Antechamber
8.Bedroom
Kitchens (9):
South Palace (Tiye?)
Store
rms
King’s bedroom

Store
rms Kitchens (9):
South Palace (Tiy?)
King’s bedroom Palace of
The King
1.Large hall
2.Audience hall
3.Private hall
4.Columned hall
-Harem quarters
5.Private throne
6.Bathroom
7.Antechamber
8.Bedroom
Main palace, inner hall:
• Columned hall with four suites for chief harem ladies on each side
• Floor of hall decorated with painted scene of pool in marshes
• Ceiling painted with flying vultures
Throne room:
• Private hall with king’s throne at end of columned hallway
• King’s suite behind throneroom.
Bathroom:
• Beside private throneroom

0 0 / 00 0 0
",
Q cf ,o
0 0
0 Q 0 0 0
0 0
0

8.Bedroom
Kitchens (9):
h Palace (Tiy?)
Store
rms
Sout
King’s bedroom
Harem suite
Palace of
The King
1.Large hall
2.Audience hall
3.Private hall
4.Columned hall
-Harem quarters
5.Private throne
6.Bathroom
7.Antechamber
Ceiling of robing rm
throne

Palace of
The King
1.Large hall
2.Audience hall
3.Private hall
4.Columned hall
-Harem quarters
5.Private throne
6.Bathroom
7.Antechamber
8.Bedroom
Kitchens (9):
y?)
Store
rms
South Palace (Ti
King’s bedroom
Amenhotep III’s bedroom
Ceiling of
King’s
bedroom

Amenhotep III:
Decoration of Malkata palace complex:
• Painted plaster floors, walls, & ceilings.

Desert altar: Amenhotep III instalation
• Lies 2 km SW of palace at Malkata
0.5 km SW of edge of Birket Habu
• Waseda University excavations 1970s
• Painted staircase with bound POWs
• Similar to Tell el-Amarna “desert altars”
• Perhaps for receiving tribute?
• Solar cult installation? outside Malkata
Waseda University excavated a “desert altar”
at S. Malkata: painted stairs depicting POWs:
Structure = like Amarna desert altar (above)

Kom el- ‘Abd: Amenhotep III outpost.
• Lies 3.5 km SW of palace at Malkata
2 km SW of edge of Birket Habu
• 75? x 90 m compound with brick walls
bearing stamp impressions of A-III.
• 3.75 m high platform with plastered top
40 x 40 m in area with ramp access.
• Housing & courtyards beside it.
Cleared “roadway”:
- 120 m wide
- 2 km K el-Abd  strip
- 4.1 km straight path to
Kom el-Hamra (41 NK
potsherds on hill top
used as scrapers).
- Function uncertain:
a. Incomplete (piles of
cobbles awaiting removal)
b. Mond: route to tomb
c. Meyers: chariot race
track
d. Kemp: chariot track
assoc. with royal
rest-house of A-III.

A possible southern “rest-place” or retreat for AmenhotepIII:
More info., see B. J. Kemp, 1977. Journal of Egyptian Archaeology 63:71-82.
An adjacent mostly cleared 6+ km long by 120 m wide E-W stretch poss. for chariot-racing
Kemp suggests that tents
may have been placed on
the platform top. Function = ?

Amenhotep III:
Amenhotep III’s first Sed festival:
•Sed-festivals are attested in Egypt
as early as Dyn.1, & formed a major
royal ritual celebrated ideally after 30
years of reign, during which the king:
(a) Proved his physical ability to rule,
(b) Revitalized his royal powers,
(c) Reaffirmed his divinity,
(d) Gained renewed support from all
the main provincial deities of Egypt
(e) Gained renewed oaths of allegiance
from key officials & the nobility.
(f) Gave lavish gifts to the deities and
various officials, nobles, and others:
E.g., gold necklaces, bracelets,
amulets, green linen head fillets.
(g). Celebrations, including feasting,
dancing, and singing.
Soleb Temple: Amenhotep III & Queen Tiye
celebrating A-III’s sed-festival

Amenhotep III:
Some of the participants included:
1. King Amenhotep III
2. Queen Tiye,
3. The royal daughters,
4. Many officials:
- The two viziers;
- The “scribe of recruits”Amenhotep
son of Hapu;
- Viceroy of Kush: Merymose;
- the scribe, Nebmerutef;
- the steward of the palace,
Nefersekheru;
- Khaemhat (priest ofAnubis);
- Kheruef (controller of the palace);

Tomb of Kheruef: daughters ofA-III
Amenhotep III:
1. King AmenhotepIII
2. Queen Tiye,
4. Many officials:
- The two viziers;
son of Hapu;
Nefersekheru;

Amenhotep III:
1. King AmenhotepIII
2. Queen Tiye,
4. Many officials:
- The two viziers;
son of Hapu;
Nefersekheru;
The Vizier Ramose

Amenhotep III:
• A-III’s sed-festivals took place within
the grounds of his sprawling W. Bank
palace complex at Malkata
(Per-Hay: “House of Rejoicing”).
• The palace complex contains a
temple to Amun, which included
a nearby festival hall built for
Amenhotep III’s sed-festival.
• Numerous potsherds from 100s of
inscribed storage jars reveal their
delivery for these sed-festivals.
• The jars had contained diverse
provisions, including wine, ale,
animal fat, and meat.
Amun temple at Malkata:
including sed-festival hall

West Bank of Thebes: palace complex of Amenhotep III.
Partial exposure of several key areas: palaces, temples, housing, courtyards
Festival hall (for Sed-festival)
Amun Temple

Amenhotep III:
• A-III’s sed-festivals took place within
the grounds of his sprawling W. Bank
palace complex at Malkata
(Per-Hay: “House of Rejoicing”).
• The palace complex contains a
temple to Amun, which included
a nearby festival hall built for
Amenhotep III’s sed-festival.
• Numerous potsherds from 100s of
inscribed storage jars reveal their
delivery for these sed-festivals.
• The jars had contained diverse
provisions, including wine, ale,
animal fat, and meat.

Amenhotep III:
•The tomb of Kheruef records that
Amenhotep III put much greater effort
into researching & resurrecting
a magnificent sed-festival following
records of ancient traditions:
“It was His Majesty who did this
in accordance with the ancient writings;
generations of men since the time
of the ancestors had never celebrated
Sed Festival rites, but it was
commanded for [Kha]emmaat,
the son of Amon…”
Dyn.1
Dyn.3

Amenhotep III:
• The widespread publicity and
magnificence of this first Sed festival
even reaches the king of Babylonia,
Kadashman-Enlil I.
• The Babylonian king complained
that he had not received either
an invitation, or a suitable lavish gift:
“When you celebrated a great festival,
you did not send your messenger to me,
saying, ‘Come, t[o eat an]d drink.’
No[r you did not send me] my greeting
gift in connection with the festival.
It was just 30 minas of gold
[that you sent me].
My [gi]ft [does not amoun]t to what
[I have given you] every yea[r].”

Amenhotep III:
A-III’s subsequent Sed festivals:
• After celebrating the first main
Sed-festival, subsequent sed-festivals
took place more frequently:
• Amenhotep III celebrated his first
sed-festival in year 30/31,
and two more in years 33/34 & 36/37.
By-products of A-III’s Sed-Festivals:
• The Sed-festivals initiated the
production of numerous life-size
statues of the king & deities,
which were placed in every prime
cult centre throughout Egypt and
Nubia.
• Amenhotep III also commissioned
additional statuettes displaying him
as a deity.
A.III & Queen Tiye celebrate sed-festival

Amenhotep III:
• After celebrating the firstmain
• Amenhotep III celebrated hisfirst
Nubia.
as a deity.
Small statue of
Amenhotep III
in “rejuvenated” form
after his first
Sed-festival

Amenhotep III:
• After celebrating the firstmain
• Amenhotep III celebrated hisfirst
Nubia.
as a deity.

Amenhotep III:
Art during his reign:
• Dating sculpture by
changes in details over
the course of his reign:
• The cosmetic eye-line
changes distinctly over
his reign (aging? other?)

Amenhotep III.
Other aspects: Syria-Palestine.
- Virtually no military activity needed
in A-III's 38/39 year reign.
Amurru:
- ‘Apiru nomadic warriors infiltrate W. Syria.
?)
- ‘Apiru create militaristic kingdom ofAmurru
(earlier indigenous name  “West Syria”).
- Amurru acknowledged as Egyptian vassal.
- Amurru begins expanding its territory,
threatening adjacent vassals (e.g., Byblos).
- It is implicated in the seizure of Sumur
(Egypt's northernmost headquarter-city).
- Year 5? campaign against Amurru byA-III(
and/or Mitanni (acting on Egypt's behalf?).
- Amurru continues expanding (temp.A.III-IV),
capturing Sumur, Tunip, & Byblos,
threatening Amki & Ugarit.
Byblos
Sumur
Ugarit
Tunip
AMURRU
Amki
HATTI
MITANNI
EGYPT

Amenhotep III.
Symbolic domination of SW Asia:
- A-III adopts epithets in titulary,
reflecting purely symbolic traits
Horus-name:
(1) “Great of strength,
who smites theAsiatics”
 little evidence for a campaign
(except perhaps in year 5)
(2) “Plunderer of Shinar”
(3) “Crusher of Naharin” = Mitanni
s.
 Definitely a traditional epithet
maintained from former reign
a.Egypt & Mitanni at peace.
b.A-III married a Mitannian
princess in yr-10 (Gilukhepa).
i.e., be cautious with epithets!
MITANNI
HATTI
EGYPT

Amenhotep III:
Egypt’s exaggerations regarding
domination:
• Amenhotep III, like other NK rulers,
portrays Egypt as dominating
ALL neighbouring lands, both
vassal states & known independent
states!
• Palace and temple wall texts,
imagery, and monuments display
this fiction of Egyptian supremacy
over all lands and peoples.
• Even private texts, images, and
monuments adopt this propagandistic
& symbolic formula, making it often
quite difficult to discern allusions
to real campaigns from pure fiction.
TT.120 Tomb of Anen: A-III & Tiye on throne

Amenhotep III:
domination:
- One even sees Egypt’s supremacy
over foreign lands expressed at
more mundane levels in elite artifacts
and components.
- For example: the reinforcement of
Egypt dominating foreigners occurs
via contexts that subject images of
foreigners to daily suppression &
destruction:
E.g., Bound POWs carved on stair
treaders and walkways …
E.g., Bound POWs carved on footstools
E.g., Bound POWs painted on sandals
E.g., Bound POWs carved on cane
handles
E.g., Carved heads throttled by bow-
string loops
E.g., Carved heads portrayed in lions’
mouths
Tell el-Amarna: Great Palace at Akhetaten
flooring with a walkway decorated with bound
prisonerssymbolic & ritual treading on foes

treaders
handles
string loops
mouths
Amenhotep III:
domination:
and components.
destruction:
Foot-
stool
from
Tut’s

Amenhotep III:
domination:
and components.
destruction:
treaders
handles
string loops
mouths

Amenhotep III:
domination:
and components.
destruction:
treaders
handles
string loops
mouths
Bound
foreigners
carved on
cane handles
(i.e., symbolic
& ‘magical’
crushing by
cane-user)

Amenhotep III:
domination:
and components.
destruction:
treaders
handles
mouths
Bows from Tutankhamun’s tomb
Heads of POWs on Tutankhamun’s bow nocks
string loops

Amenhotep III:
domination:
and components.
destruction:
treaders
handles
string loops
mouths
Ramesses III naval ship with Asiatic head in a
lion’s mouth at the prow: symbolic subjugation

Amenhotep III:
Sifting fact from fiction (foreign
relations):
• In essence, it is only when one sees
a year-dated campaign with more info.
and some corroboratory details in
private/other texts, that one becomes
more certain that an actual campaign
occurred.
• In addition, the appearance of year-
dated texts in the zone of purported
activity also aid in enhancing the case
for an actual campaign.
• Such documentation as the Amarna
Letters, which include the last 8 years
of A-III, provide further evidencefor
Egypt’s actual relations with
neighboring independent states.
See past lecture on diplomacy &
trade.
Upper Nubia: Tombos text of Thutmose I

Amenhotep III:
Reality of Egyptian foreign relations:
• The reality of equality between Egypt
and such states as Arzawa, Hatti,
Mitanni, Alashiya, Assyria &Babylonia,
is revealed in the greeting used
between these rulers:
• They call each other “my brother,”
or use the pharaoh’s prenomen
only: E.g., Amenhotep III =
addressedas
Nibmuareya = cuneiform for Nebmaatre
Nimmureya = cuneiform for Nebmaatre
Mimmareya = cuneiform for Nebmaatre
Immureya = cuneiform for Nebmaatre
International state correspondence,
• The name Amenhotep only appearsto
address an Egy. official of this name:
Amanhatpe =cuneiform forAmenhotep
(non-royal usage only)
Vassal rulers never address pharaoh

Amenhotep III:
Underlying aims of both parties:
• Egypt appears to have desired
foreign princesses as a means of
cementing relations between Egypt
& its neighbours.
• Foreign states seem to have desired
as much gold as possible from Egypt,
which aided in maintaining friendship,
and thereby peace (the status quo).
• All parties = concerned with their
status in relation to one another,
and in relation to past rulers.
• Their status would be expressed (or
reflected) by such things as the value
of greeting gifts and other expressions
of value sent between states.

Amenhotep III:
Periodic diplomatic upsets:
• Some rulers send letters complaining
that their emissaries are either not
provided access to, or did not observe
their sisters and daughters,
who had been sent to the Egyptian
court in the past:
• King Kadashman-Enlil I of Babylon
complains to Amenhotep III:
“Here you are asking for
my daughter in marriage,
but my sister
whom my father gave you
was (already) there with you,
and nobody has seen her
(so as to know) if now she is alive
or if she is dead.”

Amenhotep III:
Periodic diplomatic upsets:
• Amenhotep III’s response to this
concern has been found:
“Did you, however, ever send here
a dignitary of yours
who knows your sister,
who could speak with her
and identify her?
Suppose he spoke with her.
The men whom you sent here
are nobodies.
One was the […] of Zaqara,
the other, an assherder … from …
There has been no one among them
who knows her,
who was an intimate of your father,
and who could identify her.”
- He also adds that the sister is fine
and in good health.

Amenhotep III:
A-III at peace with SWAsia:
• Aside from minor internal troubles
with his vassal states, A-III seems
to have managed his empire well,
without the need for any major
campaigns into Syria-Palestine.
• The stability in the northern empire
is probably directly related to A-III
securing firm friendships, alliances,
and diplomatic relations with all of the
neighbouring kingdoms and empires
along the northern border of his
empire.

Amenhotep III:
A-III at peace with SWAsia:
• Both the apparent political isolation
of Egypt’s northern vassals,
& the lack of political/financial backing
from any major northern kingdom
or empire, would have minimized
the scope of any rebellious activity
being considered by one or more
of Egypt’s northern vassals.
• This situation changes under
Akhenaten.

Amenhotep III:
Other relations betweenAmenhotep
III & SWAsia:
•There is evidence for the dispatch of
cult images between Egypt and
its neighbours, especially ones known
for healing properties.
•In yr-36 of A-III, the king of Mitanni,
Tushratta, writes that he is sending
the cult image of the goddess Ishtar
(Šauška) of Nineveh, which has
expressed a wish to visit Egypt:
“Thus Šauška of Nineveh,
mistress of all lands:
‘I wish to go to Egypt,
a country that I love,
and then return.”
Astarte
figurine
from
LBAge
Canaan

Amenhotep III:
Other relations betweenAmenhotep
III & SWAsia:
• Berman suggests that this cult statue
was being sent to bless the wedding
between A-III & the Mitannianprincess,
Tadukhepa.
• This would parallel the occasion of
its earlier visit around the time of the
the wedding of the Mitannian princess
Gilukhepa toA-III.
• Other scholars have suggested that
the cult statue was being sent to heal
Amenhotep III, who was apparently
ailing at the end of his reign:
i.e., his mummy reveals abscessed
teeth.
• Perhaps a dual purpose was being
met by dispatching the statue?

Amenhotep III:
The death of Amenhotep III:
• The last known year date for A-III
occurs in year 38, suggesting that
he died during this year, or perhaps
in year 39.
• He likely reached his late 40s,
or possibly 50 years of age,
which is confirmed by the mummy
currently identified as that ofA-III. Purported remains of AmenhotepIII
Foundation deposit found at the
entryway of A-III’s tomb in V. of Kings
Head of a
calcite shabti
from the tomb of
Amenhotep III

),
Amenhotep III.
Royal Burial:
- A-III’s tomb has minor modifications,
but basically retains main features of
preceding tombs.
- Decorated with portions of Amduat
(“That which is in the Underworld”).
- A-III shown with royal Ka (spirit-double
before goddesses Hathor & Nut.
- Well-shaft scenes: goddesses leading
groups of deities and King A-III into
underworld (Hathor) & heavens (Nut).
- Ka (spirit-double) of A-III's deified fath
(T-IV) also depicted in well-shaft.
- 2 side-chambers originally intended for
Queens Tiye & Sitamun, but remained
unused since A-III predeceasedthem.
er
b.- Some artifacts have surfaced that pro
originated from Amenhotep III’stomb.

Amenhotep III.
Royal Burial:
),
- A-III’s tomb has minor modifications,
but basically retains main features of
preceding tombs.
- Decorated with portions of Amduat
(“That which is in the Underworld”).
- A-III shown with royal Ka (spirit-double
before goddesses Hathor & Nut.
- Well-shaft scenes: goddesses leading
groups of deities and King A-III into
underworld (Hathor) & heavens (Nut).
- Ka (spirit-double) of A-III's deified father
(T-IV) also depicted in well-shaft.
- 2 side-chambers originally intended for
Queens Tiye & Sitamun, but remained
unused since A-III predeceasedthem.
Bow wrist-
guard of A-III
from his tomb
in V. of Kings
Faience
bracelet
prob.
from
A-III’s
tomb
- Some artifacts have surfaced that prob.
originated from Amenhotep III’stomb.

Amenhotep III:
Debated co-regency betweenA-III
& A-IV:
• Earlier Egyptologists had argued for
a two- or 12-year co-regency between
Amenhotep III and his successor
Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten).
• More recently, many Egyptologists
concluded that there is no firm
evidence whatsoever for any
co-regency between A-III andA-IV.
• However, currently, there has been a
more recent revisiting of the notion
of a co-regency betweenAmenhotep
III and AmenhotepIV.
• Scholars are beginning to reconsider
that at least a year or two co-regency
may have occurred between A-3 &A-4
• Hence, the debate continues …
Later Amarna-style slab-stela
portraying Amenhotep III & QueenTiye
during the reign ofAkhenaten
(note the sun-disk and rays)
Is this evidence for a co-regency?
What about other commemorative art?

2014: recent discovery claiming proof of
a co-regency between A.III &A.IV:
“The Minister of Antiquities, Dr. Mohammed
Ibrahim declared the discovery of architectural
remains (of walls and columns) in the tomb of
the Vizier Amen-Hotep Huy N° 28 in Asasif
Area –Luxor.
Some of these remains carry scenes showing
both Amenhotep III and Amenhotep IV (father
and son) in the same space, and one following
the other. The remains also show hieroglyphic
inscriptions of the names of both kings beside
each other.
The importance of this discovery, Dr. Ibrahim
says, is that it presents the definitive evidence
of the co regency between Amenhotep III and
Amenhotep IV because it dates exactly at the
beginning of the first Heb-Sed of Amenhotep
II<I>, in the 30th year of his reign.”
http://www.egyptologyforum.org/bbs/MSA_Asasif_Feb2014.pdf
See also: Dr. Francisco J. Martin, the Field and
Scientific Director of the Spanish Mission
working in the Asasif Project.

EXTRA:
EXTRACTED ITEMS
FROM REIGN OF AMENHOTEP III
(Covered in diplomacy & trade lecture)

Amenhotep III.
Egyptian items in LH II+ Greece:
Mycenae & Argive Heraion:
a. Egyptian stone & faience vessels
b. 6 fragmentary plaques ofA-III
c. Dyn. 18 scarabs (seals)
d. Dagger with Egy. “flying gallop” motif
Mycenae,Ayios Elias,Ialysos (Rhodes):
a. Monkey figurine
(A-III +Tiy cartouches)
b. Faience vase
c. Scarab seals
“
“
“
“
“Flying gallop” motif
(legs splayed unnaturally)

Amenhotep III.
Relations with Greece:
(1) Hittite texts note:
Kingdom of Ahhiyawa
(Homer’sAchaeans?
= WestAnatolia
= Mycenaeans)
Coast: Millawanda/Milawata = Miletus?
Treaty with “Tarwisa” = Troy?
(2) A-III statue lists Mycenaean toponyms:
(described as obscure northern lands)
Tj-n3-jj = Tanaja/Tinay = Danaoi
m-w-k-i-n-w = Mycenae
d-y-q-e-i-s
m-d3-n-i3
nw-p-r-y
k3-ti-r
= Beotian Thebes/Kato Zakro
= Methana/Messenia (Argolid)
= Nauplion
= Kythera (island near Mycenae).
- A few Late Helladic IIB vessels occur inEgypt

Amenhotep III.
Crete (Minoans - Mycenaeans):
- A-III statue lists place-names(toponyms):
a. Keftiu
b. ry-k3-ti
c. i-'m-n-y-š3
d. k3-in-yw-š
= Crete
= Lyktos (E. Crete)
= Amnisos (N.Crete)
= Knossos (central Crete)
e. k3-t-w-n3-y = Kydonia (W. Crete)
f. b3-y-š3-?-y = Phaistos (S. Crete)
- No contemporary (LM II) pottery in Egypt.
- Egypt has other Minoan influence & products:
a. ostracon noting “the Keftiuan”
b. Medical papyrus: remedy for recital in
Keftiu-language to cure “Asiatic disease”
c. Scenes depict Keftiu-ships in royal port.
d. Theban tombs: Keftiu bringing ornate
metal vessels, ingots, leather, cloth.

Amenhotep III.
Cretans/Minoans in Egyptian art:
a. long, multiple locks of black hair,
b. kilts (multicoloured; tassels; belt),
c. boots/sandals with leg bindings.
Rekhmire's tomb:
-Painter replaces keftiu-kilt with plainer kilt.
(May reflect Mycenaean seizure of Crete)
Minoan exports?
- Minoan patterned textiles (in Aegean
frescoes), probably inspired patterns
on Egyptian tomb ceilings.

,
Amenhotep III.
CRETE:
Egyptian items in LM I-IIIA:1 Crete:
a. 30 Egyptian vessels
b. 12 vessels (Knossos)
c. Scarab of A-III & Qn.Tiye
d. A-III-Qn. Tiye scarabs & seal
e. Egyptian-style lapis lazuli
amulets and beads.
Distribution in Crete:
a. Isopata,
b. Sellopoulo (near Knossos)
c. Knossos,
d. Archanes,
e. Katsamba,
f. Kommos.
g. Khania
h. Aya Triadha

Amenhotep III.
Anatolia:
A-III maintained contact withAnatolia:
a. Letters (Akkadian: EA41,44; Hittite EA31)
b. A-III statue lists places & peoples.
-Arzawa
-Khatte
-Kaška
-Arusna
-W3-iw-r-y
= S.Anatolia
= centralAnatolia
= NEAnatolia
= NWAnatolia
= Ilios/Troy(?)
Tarkhundaradu of Arzawa promises
daughter in marriage to A-III;A-III sends:
a. Greeting gift of gold
b. 317 linen pieces (garments; mantles)
c. 10 containers of sweet oil
d. 13 ebony chairs (ivory & gold overlay)
e. 100 ebony pieces.
LH IIIA burials at Panaztepe near Troy:
a. Egyptian gold,
b. Alabaster vessel
c. Dyn.18 scarab
d. Scarab ofA-III.
Troy
ARZAWA
KHATTE
KASKA

Amenhotep III.
International relations:
Cypriot items in Egypt:
- Cypriot pottery in Egypt
E.g., Base Ring juglet form:
a. opium poppy
b. pomegranate
- Analysis of BR-juglets reveals
a. oily substance (scents/ointments)
b. possibly opium (contested)
- Muhly suggests other Cypriot exports
may include wine & salt.
Egyptian items in Cyprus:
a. Vessels of alabaster, glass,
faience vessels
b. Jewellery (bronze, gold, silver)
c. Scarab seals
CYPRUS
(Alashiya)

Amenhotep iii

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