03:07 - 08:04
4m 57s
For the first time Egypt struggles with invaders. The north is conquered by the Hyksos, who arrived via Asia, and in the south by Egypt's neighbors the Nubians. The Hyksos introduced important innovations that would become adopted by the Egyptians, most noteworthy the horse, chariot, and composite bow.
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Covers the importance of Amun in Egyptian religious beliefs and some of the devotions undertaken for Amun.
Explores the contest and rivalry between the Egyptians in Upper Egypt and the occupying Hyksos, who had more advanced technology, in Lower Egypt.
Examines the role of women in Egyptian religion, especially "God's Wife of Amun," the highest priestess in the Egyptian religion and temple estate at Karnak.
Recounts the discovery of artifacts related to Queen Nefertiti, who wielded considerable power alongside her husband, the Pharaoh Akhenaten. She is known also a beautiful queen, even attested in poems of her husband.
Akhenaton's new order and philosophy appear to be settling in successfully. Hymns are written to the sun, the one divine force which Akhenaten's monotheism honors. These will later have parallels in the most important monotheist text -- the Bible.