Akhenaten, originally known as Amenhotep IV, is notable for abandoning the polytheistic faith of the ancient Egyptians and converting to the monotheistic cult of Aton. Akhenaten’s attempted religious reform was not well received by the Egyptian people and his changes were all reversed after he died.

Thutmose III is one of the most famous rulers of Egypt during the New Kingdom. He ruled with his mother, Hatshepsut, for two decades before ruling by himself for another thirty years. He was one of the most successful military commanders in Egyptian history and established an extensive empire, stretching from Nubia in the south, all the way to Syria and Canaan in the east. He was not, however, buried at the Great Pyramids of Giza. Instead, like the other Pharaohs of the New Kingdom, he was buried in the Valley of the Kings.

The first female Pharaoh in Egyptian history was Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut ruled during the New Kingdom period of Egyptian history and is one of the most esteemed rulers in Egyptian history. Hatshepsut has a generally positive reputation because peace, trade, and prosperity flourished during her rule.

The Eighteenth Dynasty is probably the most famous ruling dynasty in the entirety of ancient Egyptian history. All of these rulers were notable Pharaohs during the Eighteenth Dynasty, except Ramasses II who was the most famous ruler of the Nineteenth Dynasty.

Amenhotep III is one of the most famous rulers of the New Kingdom. He presided over a period of relative prosperity and wealth in the Egyptian Kingdom. His reign is remembered for  artistic accomplishments and cultural brilliance.

Unlike the pharaohs of the Old and Middle Kingdoms, the New Kingdom pharaohs preferred temples and rock tombs to pyramids. These pharaohs selected several special sites on which to construct their masterpieces. The most famous of all these locales is, undoubtedly, the Valley of the Kings; also chosen were Karnak-in-Luxor, Abydos, Abu Simbel, and Tel El-Amarna. Each of these places were/are home to truly remarkable structures, including the temple Umm el-Qa’ab at Abydos, the Karnak Temple Complex, and the two massive temples of Abu Simbel.

The Ancient Egyptian Empire experienced many eras of prosperity but by far, the Empire’s most illustrious golden era occurred during the New Kingdom (1552-1070 BCE). During this time period, Ancient Egypt thrived under the steady rule of a long line of pharaohs, each of whom protected the Empire’s borders from invasion, instituted crucial peace and trade alliances with the neighboring kingdoms, and embarked upon some of history’s most ambitious architectural projects (including the famed Temple of Karnak). While many esteemed pharaohs reigned during the New Kingdom, none ruled longer, commissioned more monuments, or are more enduringly remembered than Ramesses the Great (aka Ramesses II).

Ay was the chief advisor to Tutankhamun (and possibly one or two other, earlier, Pharaohs). He is presumed to have been the primary political leader in Egypt during Tutankhamun’s short reign, and he assumed the position of Pharaoh after the young boy’s death. He was the penultimate ruler of the eighteenth dynasty.

Narmer was the ruler who unified Upper and Lower Egypt into one kingdom, founding the First Dynasty. His true identity is a subject of debate, but most scholars identify him as the early Egyptian pharaoh Menes. His tomb was found in Abydos, and excavated.

Thutmose I ruled during the early years of the 18th Dynasty (the first ruling dynasty of the New Kingdom). He led a series of successful military campaigns which expanded Egyptian power deeper into Nubia. He also contributed to the further destruction of the Hyksos people in the Middle East.