Amenhotep I

Born:

Likely Thebes, Egypt, circa 1526 BC

Died:

Likely Thebes, Egypt, circa 1506 BC

Nationality:

Egyptian

Profession(s):

Pharaoh of Egypt (Second Pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty)

Early Life and Education

• Son of Ahmose I and Ahmose-Nefertari.
• Likely received traditional royal education encompassing scribal arts, military training, and religious instruction.
• His early life was shaped by the aftermath of the expulsion of the Hyksos from Egypt.

Career and Major Achievements

• Reigned for approximately 20-21 years (c. 1526-1506 BC).
• Continued military campaigns begun by his father, consolidating Egyptian control in Nubia and potentially engaging in campaigns in the Levant.
• Oversees a significant rebuilding and restoration program of temples and infrastructure damaged during the Hyksos occupation.
• Established the village of Deir el-Medina, housing the artisans and craftsmen who would build the tombs in the Valley of the Kings for generations.
• Credited with organizing the administration of Egypt and furthering the development of Theban religious institutions.

Notable Works

• Construction and restoration of temples, including Karnak.
• Organization of the workforce and administration required for royal building projects.

Legacy and Impact

Amenhotep I's reign marked a period of stability and prosperity following the expulsion of the Hyksos. His military achievements, administrative reforms, and building projects contributed to the consolidation of the Eighteenth Dynasty and the establishment of Egypt as a major power in the ancient world. An 'amenhotep 1 biography' details his contributions to the foundation of the New Kingdom. His cult of veneration, established posthumously, demonstrates his lasting impact on Egyptian society.

Cult and Posthumous Veneration

• Deified after his death, along with his mother Ahmose-Nefertari.
• Worshipped as a patron deity of Deir el-Medina.
• Cult center established at Deir el-Medina, where he was revered for centuries.

Related links