Ancient Egypt, Amenhotep II
EGYPT'S HISTORY
Robert Guisepi, 1984
The Valley of the Nile
A 15th century BC king of Egypt (reigned c. 1426-1400 BC), son of Thutmose III. Ruling at the height of Egypt's imperial era, he strove to maintain his father's conquests by physical and military skills.
Amenhotep II's upbringing was carefully guided by his warrior father, with great emphasis on physical strength, skills of warfare, and sportsmanship. Amenhotep never tired of boasting of his feats in these skills, and he was even buried with his great bow.
Amenhotep's first campaign was against uprisings in northern Syria, during which he extracted loyalty oaths from other Asiatic princes. Returning from Asia, he forwarded the body of a rebel Asiatic chief to the Nubian capital, where it was hung on the town wall as an example; the gesture was sufficient to maintain peace in Nubia. His second campaign was smaller, reaching only to the Sea of Galilee, but after it Amenhotep received gifts from Mitanni, Babylon, and the Hittites. No further northern wars occurred, which suggests that a balance of power had been achieved.
Within Egypt, many of his father's administrators continued to serve Amenhotep, and the king completed some buildings begun by Thutmose III. He also built new sanctuaries in Lower Egypt and added his mortuary temple in western Thebes. Amenhotep's mummy was discovered in the Valley of the Tombs of the Kings at Thebes, in his fine, well-preserved tomb.
