fig 35

Egypt is already a very ancient civilisation, as the pyramids have already been standing for more than 1000 years on the Giza plateau. The country possesses a very ancient tradition which has endured and asserted itself in spite of the vicissitudes of history.

 

The pharaohs of the glorious 18^th Dynasty have governed the two lands of Egypt for a century after having driven out foreign Hyksos invaders. This occupation has left a deep impression on the collective imagination. To protect itself against further invasions, Egypt has built an immense empire stretching from the 4^th cataract of the Nile, in modern-day Sudan, to the Euphrates and the borders of Anatolia (fig. 35) [see appendix 1].

 

Under the reign of Amenhotep III, the empire is at its zenith. Immense riches from tributes paid by the dominated nations flow into the Nile valley and contribute to a general prosperity, and are conspicuous notably for the rich donations to the traditional temples and by an abundance of architectural and artistic output whose refinement will never be exceeded.

 

The enrichment of the country and external contacts favourised the transformation of the Egyptian society. From now on, it is a more open society, a society which has become, above all, a cosmopolitan one with an ever greater presence and influence by the foreigners living in Egypt.

 

Thus, little by little, mentalities changed... the consequences are many, both in regard to ideas about the nature of the monarchy and of spirituality, with a development of the imperial concept, superimposed upon the development of the solar cult. The universality of royal power on earth, in a similar way to that of the sun, Ra, in the heavens, is proclaimed.

 

Thus the laudatory epithets flourish, the king being called "king of kings, prince of princes" and, already, "the Aten for all countries". The theologians begin to associate more and more the sun god par excellence, Ra (fig.23) with all the other gods of the pantheon, starting with Amun.