The 2nd Intermediate Period came to a close with the defeat of the Hyksos by Ahmose I. After securing Egypt's northern borders, Ahmose I instituted internal changes. He created a the position of Viceroy for Kush, Nubia. This Viceroy answered to no one but the Pharaoh.
The wars of this period were fought with the powerful Near East empires, such as the Hittites, the Mitanni and the Assyrians, all of which were neighbors of Egypt. The Mitanni occupied an area around Nahrina. The Assyrians were on the eastern border and the Hittites occupied the land to the west.
Also during this time period, Ramesses III fought against a coalition of wandering tribes called the Sea Peoples. This saw the borders of Egypt expand in the north as far as the Euphrates River and down to the 4th cataract in the south. These borders would then retract until Egypt was nothing more than the Nile Valley extending down to the 2nd cataract.
It was Tuthmosis I who extended the borders of Egypt to their farthest extent. He and his grandson, Tuthmosis III, then fought many campaigns to hold onto these borders. Later in the 18th Dynasty, a general of the army was made Pharaoh in hope that he would be able to save Egypt from being destroyed. His success brought about the 19th Dynasty. The 20th Dynasty saw some of the last great Pharaohs of Egypt. Ramesses II is known to have signed a mutual defense treaty with the Hittites, a powerful neighbor. This was a new landmark in diplomacy.
A notable figure of the New Kingdom was the female Pharaoh, Hatshepsut. She extensively built new temples and monuments throughout Egypt. They exist mostly in the north and south, however. Her period of rule is known for its peace and prosperity.
Another interesting individual was Akhenaten. His internal reforms caused ill feelings against those in powerful positions and allowed Egypt's foreign interests to be lost. Their ally during his reign, the Mitanni, were destroyed and their northern holdings captured by foreign powers. He was finally removed from the throne by those whom he had offended.
Trade during this period brought new items and the exploitation of Kush made Egypt rich. From Kush came things like gold, ivory, ebony, cattle, gums, resins and semi-precious stones.
The New Kingdom came to an end during the reign of Ramesses XI. Late in his reign civil war broke out and the viceroy of Kush was called upon to suppress Thebes. The viceroy was successful until the king's general Herihor drove the viceroy out of Thebes. The viceroy later came to rule Kush as an independent kingdom and it was forever lost to Egypt.
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