The Amun Empire

Ramesses VII decided to change the name of the empire, which had long been known as "The Amun Empire."

Amun Ra Egypto-Greco style Art 1100 BCE

## Amun Empire

### Succeded by

Egyptian States

Under the banner of The Amun Empire, the people continued to worship god Amun (Amen Ra). The temples dedicated to him flourished, and the pharaohs who followed in the footsteps of Ramesses VII carried on this legacy.

Over the years, several notable pharaohs ruled this powerful empire, including Ramesses VIII, Ramesses IX, Ramesses X, and Ramesses XI.

Following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Ramesses VIII continued to honor Amun's legacy. He maintained the empire's strong ties to the deity and upheld its position in the ancient world.

Ramesses IX contributed to the empire's flourishing culture and religion. He oversaw the construction of temples and monuments dedicated to Amun, solidifying the empire's connection to this powerful god.

Ramesses X maintained the empire's prosperity and Military advance.

# Thebes

Conflicts began to simmer between two prominent power centers - Thebes in the south and Tanis in the Nile Delta to the north.

The root of these conflicts lay in the fading glory of the once-mighty New Kingdom. Ramesses XI, could not maintain centralized control over the vast empire.

In Thebes, the high priests and rulers held considerable sway. But in the northern Delta region, a figure was emerging - Smendes. becoming a powerful official and a force to be reckoned with in the northern part of the empire.

His rise to prominence began within the existing power structures, where he demonstrated remarkable skill in managing the affairs of the Delta region. Smendes was an astute politician who navigated the complexities of the times, building alliances and securing support among the local elites and military.

As Theban rulers struggled to maintain their grip on a disintegrating empire and grappled with the diminishing authority of the pharaoh, Smendes took calculated steps to fortify his position in the Nile Delta. He earned the title of "Great Chief of the Ma," a significant military position.

The conflicts between Thebes and Tanis were not born out of overt hostilities but were, in essence, struggles for control and influence. It was a time of political maneuvering, where local rulers like Smendes skillfully balanced loyalty to the pharaoh with their own regional power.

Ramesses XI, recognized that the traditional bloodline of the pharaohs alone could no longer guarantee effective leadership and that the nation needed capable leaders who could navigate the complex political landscape. Smendes, with his strategic prowess and ability to maintain stability, was seen as the ideal candidate for such a role.

# 944 BCE

In 944 BCE, Egypt was divided into several smaller states, each with its own rulers and power structures, and Thebes and Tanis emerged as two major power centers with their own pharaohs.

Smendes and Ramesses XI gave life to the Egyptian States, semi-autonomous regions, each led by its own ruler. Each state had the authority to decide on matters related to farming, economic policies, and maintaining its own army. However, they were all bound to the central authority of the pharaoh.

To facilitate governance and decision-making in this new system, a council (or senate) was established. This council comprised the leaders of each Egyptian State, allowing them to communicate with the pharaoh directly. Together, they made decisions regarding matters such as inter-state policies, trade, and even issues of war and peace. This transformation marked a significant departure from the traditional centralized rule of the pharaoh, giving rise to a more collaborative and regionally oriented approach to governance.

# Pagan Legacy

Like The Cult of Isis, The Amun Empire's religion rituals remained in the thousands of years that followed, one of these rituals is the prayer ritual ending with the word "Amen", with this word Ra's worshipers wanted to thank the god for listening to their wish or problems.

A Ritual that both Christianity and Islam adopted intact later.

Amen.