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By the year 1380 b.C. the two kingdoms that dominated the Middle East just a century ago affront serious difficulties in their internal affairs. 
Babylon has been taken by the Kassite dynasty from inner Iran and now is governed by weak monarchs. 
Egypt is still governed by the 18th dynasty of Thutmosis I. and his daughter Hatschepsut. 
After the death of pharao Amenophis III. (1403-1364) the Egyptian throne is occupied by his young and dreamy son Amenophis IV. (1364-1347). 
Under the influence of his wife Nofretete the new pharao will soon develop revolutionary ideas about religious reforms. 
He will introduce the cult of Aton as the one and only god to worship, call himself Achen-aten (Echnaton) and move his capital from Thebes north to Echetaton. 
All these measures create a serious conflict with the highpriests of the Amon-Re temple in Thebes, plunging the Egyptian monarchy into turmoil. 
Thus both Egypt and Babylon are loosing quickly their hegemony on the neighbour kingdoms. 
Among these the strongest are now the Hethitians of Suppiluliuma (1370-1330) and the bloody Assyrians of Assuruballit I. (1364-1328). 
Both kingdoms first attack and destroy the reign of Mitanni and then put their siege upon Babylon and the Phoenician cities on the coast, threatening to invade even the Nile-Delta. 
In the west the reign of Minos has been defeated by Theseus from Athens. 
The new capital of Greece is however Mykene, who is preparing to move against the Hethitian city of Troja.
Can you defend your menaced kingdoms against the invaders, leading your people to new glory and prosperity or do you prefer a conquest campaign like the ancient Hethitians, Assyrians and Greeks ?

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