ZDF - Planet Egypt Secrets of the Pharaohs Empire (2011) Part 2 Pharaohs at War

Why was the world's first great civilization also its longest-lasting? Other TV series have looked at individual aspects of ancient Egypt. “Planet Egypt” gives a unique overview, from Dynasty Zero to the end of the New Kingdom. Experts visit every corner of this first nation-state to reveal the secrets of its unparalleled success. Each episode focuses on one of the vital foundation stones at the base of this civilization, such as the founding of the Empire and the rise of the Nile Kingdom to world power. More than 5,000 years ago, the territories of Upper and Lower Egypt were first united into a single kingdom. It was a seismic moment in history - the beginning of one of the most successful civilizations the world has ever known. The Nile Kingdom would flourish for over 3000 years. Ruled by 31 dynasties of “divine” Pharaohs, Ancient Egypt's achievements are without parallel, including the world's first territorial state and some of the most outstanding monuments known to man. Few civilizations displayed as much artistic and creative power as that of the Ancient Egyptians. How did they do it? What was the secret of their success. For decades, experts have been trying to solve the mystery of what kept the Nile civilization going for more than three millennia. Planet Egypt, a groundbreaking documentary series produced for international television, delves deep into the history of the Pharaohs. The series examines the unification of Egypt under King Narmer, the rise of the Nile Kingdom to world power under Thutmose III, the religious revolution at the time of the heretic king Akhenaten and the enormous surge in construction activity during the rule of Ramses the Great. With the help of dramatic re-enactments and lavish computer animations, Planet Egypt recreates the world of the Ancient Egyptians. Entire cities like Hierakonpolis, Thebes and Amarna are brought back to life through 3-D animations. Each episode sheds new light on one of the foundation stones at the base of this extraordinary civilisation.

Part 2 Pharaohs at War

Pharaohs at War asks how Egypt maintained its relative independence for 3000 years. We answer this through Thutmosis III. He conquers more land than any other pharaoh. Yet ultimately he has no interest in establishing an expanding empire abroad. Like all pharaohs he is guided by the wish to establish peace and stability at home and secure the borders through forward defense. The pursuit of peace remains a key part of Egypt's success story. For many centuries the Pharaohs managed to shield Egypt from the outside world, protected by the desert in the east and west, and by the inaccessible Nile Delta in the north. Eventually, the immigrants became so powerful that they would rule the north of Egypt for almost a century. To the Egyptians they became known as the Hyksos, the foreign rulers. Although the foreigners were eventually driven out, Hyksos rule marked the end of Egypt's period of 'splendid isolation'. From now on, foreign kings would regularly threaten the Nile Kingdom from their base in the Middle East The film focuses on the time around 1400 BC, when an invasion by the warrior tribes of Canaan (today's Palestine and Syria) loomed. To secure Egypt's borders, the young Pharaoh Thutmose III decided to flex his military muscle. For 20 years, Thutmose mounted military campaigns against the Canaanite principalities, even crossing the Euphrates in what today is southern Turkey. One of the most brilliant war leaders of Antiquity, Thutmose employed new weapons technology, a standing army and all his diplomatic skills to expand the Egyptian Empire. After defeating his neighbors, he shrewdly entered into military alliances with them, thus securing Egypt's borders for centuries to come.

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