Ancient Egypt

1
Ancient Egypt

• Chapter 3, Section 2
• The Rulers of Egypt
• TN SPI 6.5.1, 6.6.2

2
Objectives

• Learn about the history of kingship in ancient
  Egypt.
• Find out about Egypts accomplishments during
  each of the three kingdom periods.
• Understand what characterized the rule of Egypt
  during the New Kingdom period.

3
Key Terms

• Pharaoh the title of the kings of ancient Egypt
• Dynasty a series of rulers from the same family
  or ethnic group
• Absolute power complete control over someone or
  something
• Regent someone who rules for a child until the
  child is old enough to rule

4
Dynasty to Dynasty

• A dynasty is a series of rulers from the same
  family.
• Egypt had 31 dynasties from 3100 B.C. until it
  was conquered in 332 B.C. (2768)
• Egypts dynasties are grouped into three major
  time periods.
• Old Kingdom
• Middle Kingdom
• New Kingdom

5
Egypt is Unified 3100 B.C.

• Egypts first dynasty began when King Menes
  united Upper and Lower Egypt.
• The unification of Egypt was the beginning of one
  of the most stable civilizations in history.
• Not much is known about Egypts first dynasties.

6
Old Kingdom 2686-2125 B.C.

• The Old Kingdom consisted of Dynasties 3-8 and
  lasted for 561 years.
• Pharaohs during this time kept peace and traded
  with Nubia.
• Toward the end of the Old Kingdom, the power of
  the pharaoh was challenged, Egypts unity
  crumbled, and the dynasties grew weak.

7
Old Kingdom 2686-2125 B.C.

• Accomplishments
• Builders begin the Great Pyramid 2589 B.C.
• Great Sphinx statue is completed 2533 B.C

8
Middle Kingdom 2055-1650 B.C.

• The Middle Kingdom consisted of Dynasties 11-13
  and lasted for 405 years.
• Pharaohs during this time reunited Egypt.
• Money was spent on public works and not wars.
• Buildings and irrigation projects were completed.
• Egypt grew richer, but weaker and less able
  rulers followed.

9
Middle Kingdom 2055-1650 B.C.

• Accomplishments
• Egypt expands into Lower Nubia.
• Literature and art flourish.

10
New Kingdom 1550-1069 B.C.

• The New Kingdom consisted of Dynasties 18-20 and
  lasted for 481 years.
• Pharaohs wanted to build an empire.
• They created huge armies of foot soldiers,
  mounted warriors, and charioteers.
• Bronze swords and body armor made the Egyptians
  unbeatable.

11
New Kingdom 1550-1069 B.C.

• King Tut was one ruler during the New Kingdom.
• He became pharaoh as a child and died at the age
  of 18.
• An archaeologist discovered his tomb was
  discovered in 1922.

12
New Kingdom 1550-1069 B.C.

• Thutmose III became pharaoh as a child. His
  stepmother Hatshepsut was appointed his regent.
• She appointed herself pharaoh and ruled for 15
  years.
• Her reign was good for Egypt. She ruled during a
  time of great peace and economic success.

13
Queen Hatshepsut

• When Thutmose grew up, Queen Hatshepsut refused
  to give up her throne.
• After her death Thutmose became pharaoh and
  destroyed all her statues.
• Its unclear if he had a part in his
  step-mothers death.

14
Thutmose III

• Thutmose became one of the greatest pharaohs of
  the New Kingdom.
• He led his army in war against Syria and
  Phonecia, and reached the Euphrates River.
• He treated those he defeated with mercy.

15
New Kingdom 1550-1069 B.C.

• Accomplishments
• Queen Hatshepsut rules from 1503-1482 B.C.
• Thutmose III expands the empire to Syria.

16
Egypt Conquered

• Alexander the Great of Macedonia conquered Egypt
  in 332 B.C.
• The Macedonians ruled Egypt for about 300 years.
• In 51 B.C. Queen Cleopatra VII became the last
  Macedonian to rule Egypt until it was conquered
  by the Romans.
• Egypt became part of the Roman Empire in 31 B.C.

17
Queen Cleopatra

• Cleopatra suspected that the Romans would parade
  her through Egypt to celebrate their victory.
• To avoid this humiliation, she committed suicide.
  
• Egypt would not govern itself for nearly 2000
  years.