Ahmose I

Ahmose I was a pharaoh who founded the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt.

This dynasty began the New Kingdom era. This period was when ancient Egypt reached its greatest peak of power. His name, Ahmose, means "Iah (the Moon) is born." He ruled during the mid-16th century BC. This time was the start of the Late Bronze Age. His leadership helped unify a divided land. He turned a period of conflict into an era of massive strength.

Ahmose came from the Theban royal house.

He was the son of Pharaoh Seqenenre Tao. He was also the brother of Kamose. Kamose was the last pharaoh of the Seventeenth Dynasty. Ahmose faced many family losses early in life. His father died when Ahmose was seven years old. His brother died only three years after reigning. Ahmose took the throne at age ten.

Because he was a child, his mother Ahhotep served as regent. She was called the "carer for Egypt." She helped strengthen Theban power before he took full control.

The main goal of his reign was the expulsion of the Hyksos. The Hyksos were rulers who held control over Lower Egypt.

The conflict had lasted for nearly thirty years. Ahmose used specific military strategies to win. He attacked the major border fortification at Tjaru in October. By taking Tjaru, he cut off supplies from Canaan to the Hyksos capital. This created a blockade around the city of Avaris. He led three unsuccessful attacks against Avaris first. On his fourth attack, he finally conquered the city.

He also conducted a three-year siege at Sharuhen near Gaza to finish the victory.

Ahmose also led campaigns to secure Egypt's borders. He moved into the Levant to pursue the Hyksos.

Some records suggest he reached as far as Kedem. In the south, he focused on the region of Nubia. He had to defeat rebels named Aata and Tetian to restore order. To manage this area, he established a new administrative center at Buhen. These actions re-established Egyptian rule over both Upper and Lower Egypt. This reunification is why historians see him as the patriarch of the New Kingdom.

After the wars, Ahmose focused on rebuilding the nation.

He reorganized the entire administration of the country. He reopened many quarries and mines. He also reopened important trade routes. He devoted one-tenth of all productive output to the gods. This supported massive construction projects and the arts. These projects were similar to the style of the Middle Kingdom. His building program even included the last pyramid built by native Egyptian rulers.

This work helped create the foundation for Egypt's future power.

Trade brought new wealth and materials to Egypt.

Ahmose gained access to resources that Upper Egypt lacked. He received gold and silver from Nubia. He brought in lapis lazuli from central Asia. Cedar wood came from Byblos in the Levant. He also reopened turquoise mines in the Sinai at Serabit el-Khadim. Even designs from the Minoan culture appeared on Egyptian objects. These connections show how much the Egyptian economy grew under his rule. The country became a central part of a larger international system.

Ahmose ruled for approximately 25 regnal years.

He died around the age of 35. Because his heir, Ahmose-ankh, died before him, his son Amenhotep I succeeded him. The historian Manetho later noted the importance of this era. Manetho lived in the 3rd century BC. He recorded that the expulsion of the Hyksos was significant enough to start a new dynasty. Ahmose's reign changed the course of Egyptian history forever. He moved his people from a time of division to a time of empire.