This documentary depicts a time period in Egypt starting in 1560 BC, 1000 years after the large pyramids where built, which is known as the rise of the “Golden Age” New Kingdom where there was an explosion of wealth, creativity and power due to expansion and consolidation of the surrounding areas.  It is a 2001 PBS “Empires” series.

Points talked about in this episode:

— Starting in 1550 BC, Egypt battled to regain its territory, and by 1390 BC under Amenhotep III the empire of Egypt was peaceful and rich, but outside areas posed a potential threat which brought about the creation of the use of international diplomacy and the acceptance of tribute rather than fighting, making Amenhotep III the most powerful man in the world.

— After Amenhotep III died, his son Amenhotep IV took control of Egypt at the zenith of its wealth, and he tried to break with the past as much as possible, rejecting previous deities and worshipping only the sun, becoming the first monotheist in history.

— Amenhotep IV renamed himself Akhenaten and ordered the construction of a large new capital city named Amarna built on a desolate piece of land, but eventually after the death of his wife he became fanatical and attempted to destroy all previous references to the old deities and ignored the needs of his subjects, bringing the country to the verge of crisis.

— When Amenhotep IV died, the new city of Amarna was abandoned after only 20 years due to Akhenaten’s mismanagement, and his son Tutankhamen inherited an Egypt that was staring disaster in face while still only being a boy, leading to his being exploited by powerful people in Egypt and the restoration of Egypt’s old deities.

— Tutankhamen was then killed when he was 20 years old, leaving no heir, with the discovery of his intact tomb leading to his being known as the most famous king in modern times.

— After Tutankhamen died, his father Akhenaten was attempted to be erased from history, being referred to only as “that Heretic,” and the abandoned city of Amarna was left abandoned to crumble in the desert.