With the expulsion of the Hyksos at the end of the Second Intermediate Period, the Theban Prince Ahmose I now reigned supreme. The Egyptian army pushed beyond the traditional frontiers of Egypt into Syria-Palestine, and bought Nubia (Kush) under control. The Theban conquerors had thus established the 18th Dynasty, creating a great empire under a succession of rulers called Thutmose and Amenhotep.

The New Kingdom pharaohs are probably the most well known amongst all of the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, including such "household" names as Hatshepsut, the female pharaoh, Ramesses the Great, and Tutankamun, the boy king. This period also includes the so called "heretic" pharaoh, Akhenaten, and the subsequent short lived Amarna period.

Amenhotep I (1551-1524) Military campaigns is Kush, Nubia and possibly Libya. Burial:? Dra Abu el-Naga or ? tomb KV39 Valley of the Kings.

Tuthmosis I (1524-1518) A series of rapid and effective military campaigns. Burial: Tombs KV20 & KV38 Valley of the Kings.

Tuthmosis II (1518-1504) Married to half sister Hatshepsut, they reigned together for around 14 years. Burial: ? Tomb KV42 Valley of the Kings.

Tuthmosis III (1504-1450) A young child when he succeeded the throne, his aunt and stepmother Hatshepsut acted as regent for the young king. After her death he finally became ruler in his own right. Known for his many successful military campaigns. Burial: Tomb KV34 Valley of the Kings.

Queen Hatshepsut (1498-1483) The "female pharaoh" who "usurped" Thutmose III. Most famous for her trading expeditions to Punt and her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri. Burial: Tomb KV20 Valley of the Kings.

Amenhotep II (1453-1419) Successful military campaigns in Syria-Palestine and completion of Nubian temples at Elephantine and Amada. Burial: Tomb KV35 Valley of the Kings.

Tuthmosis IV (1419-1386) Dream Stele on the Great Sphinx of Giza, successful Nubian campaign, beautifully decorated private tombs in the Theban necropolis. Burial: Tomb KV43 Valley of the Kings.

Amenhotep III (1386-1349) Long stable and prosperous reign with little military activity. Much international trade. Two statues at Thebes known as the "Colossi of Menmon" are all that remains of his mortuary temple. Burial: Tomb KV22 Valley of the Kings.

Amenhotep IV/Akhenaten (1350-1334) Revolutionary "Amarna" period, and worship of the Aten sun disc. New distinctive "realism" style of art, and new capital city Akhetaten built in Middle Egypt. The famous cuneiform Amarna letters. Burial: Akhetaten; subsequently ? Valley of the Kings.

Smenkhkare (1336-1334) Reigned as co-regent during Akhenaten's last years. Possibly a younger brother of Akhenaten. Burial: ? Tomb KV55 Valley of the Kings.

Tutankhaten/Tutankhamun (1334-1325)Only a child when he succeeded the throne. Return to the old religion and cult of Amun. Died young, aged around 17-19. Burial: Tomb KV62 Valley of the Kings.

Ay (1325-1321) Member of the royal court, married Tutankamun's widow Ankhesenamun.

Horemheb (1321-1293) Military officer. "Great Commander of the Army" under Akhenaten and "King's Deputy" of Tutankhamun. Usurped monuments of Ay and Tutankhamun. Burial: Tomb KV57 Valley of the Kings.

Seti I (1291-1278) Art and culture reached new heights. Successful military campaigns into Syria-Palestine, and Libya. First campaign against the Hittites. Building work begins on the Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak, and Temple of Abydos. Burial: Tomb KV17 Valley of the Kings.

Ramesses II (1279-1212) Known as "The Great". Long reign of 67 years, during which many great temples and statues were erected. Victory over the Hittites at the Battle of Qadesh. One of Egypt's most famous pharaohs. Burial: Tomb KV7 Valley of the Kings.

Merenptah (1212-1202) Ramesses' 13th son was probably well into his 60's when he succeeded. Successful military campaigns in Syria, Libya and Nubia. Used blocks from Amenhotep III's mortuary temple to build his own mortuary temple. Burial: Tomb KV8 Valley of the Kings.

Amenmesses (1202-1199) Instead of the crown prince Seti-Merenptah ascending the throne, the little known Amenmesses became king. Short four year reign. Burial: Tomb KV10 Valley of the Kings.

Seti II (1199-1193) May have been the previously ousted prince. Burial: Tomb KV15 Valley of the Kings.

Siptah (1193-1187) Young son of Seti II whose stepmother Twosret ruled in his name. When Siptah died in Year 6, Queen Twosret assumed the throne. Burial: Tomb KV47 Valley of the Kings.

Queen Twosret (1187-1185) Wife of Seti II and mother of his heir apparent who predeceased his father. Upon the death of Siptah, Twosret declared herself pharaoh, using the full pharaonic titles as Hatshepsut had done previously. Burial: Tomb KV14 Valley of the Kings.

Setnakhte (1185-1182) Little known king. Possibly quelled a rebellion at the end of Twosret's reign. Burial: Tomb KV14 Valley of the Kings.

Ramesses III (1182-1151) Last great pharaoh of Egypt. Long reign of over 31 years. Invasion and defeat of the "Sea Peoples", and renewed campaigns against Libyan invasion. Mortuary temple at Medinat Habu. Burial: Tomb KV11 Valley of the Kings.

Ramesses V (1145-1141) Short reign of only 4 years. Possibility of a civil war being fought at this time. Burial: Tomb KV9 Valley of the Kings.

Ramesses VI (1141-1133) Brother of Ramesses V. Possibility that they had ruled jointly together, or perhaps that Ramesses V was usurped by his brother and held captive until his death. Burial Tomb KV9 Valley of the Kings.

Ramesses VII (1133-1126) Little is known of this 7 year reign. Egypt economically unstable, civil unrest. Burial: Tomb KV1 Valley of the Kings.

Ramesses VIII (1133-1126) Son of Ramesses III, which possibly indicates an ongoing problem of rightful succession. Short reign of only about a year. Burial: unknown.

Ramesses IX (1126-1098) Stable reign of some 18 years. High priests of Amun gradually becoming more powerful. Burial: Tomb KV6 Valley of the Kings.

Ramesses X (1108-1098) Little known. Burial: Tomb KV18 Valley of the Kings. Never properly explored.

Ramesses XI (1098-1070) Long reign of 28 years. Ramesses tomb in the Valley of the Kings had not been used for the king's burial. Instead it had been used by the priests who organised the burial of the Royal Cache as a workshop for stripping the mummies of valuables and rewrapping them prior to reburial. Burial: location unknown.