CHAPTER 5 LESSON 3Egypt’s Empire

Objectives Identify key terms : dynasty, Sphinx,

incense, envoy, authority, astronomy Summarize the important achievements

of Egyptian civilization. Determine the contributions of key

figures from Ancient Egypt.

The Golden Age of Egypt

As the old kingdom weakened, so did Egypt.

After two hundred years, a new dynasty (Ruling Family) came to power and moved the capital south to Thebes.

This time period of peace and prosperity was called the Middle Kingdom.

During this time, Egypt conquered many new lands and made many improvements throughout the country.

The Golden Age of Egypt, continued

Egyptian arts and architecture also thrived during the Middle Kingdom.

During this time, the Egyptians also developed a new kind of architecture. They no longer built pyramids, but rather built tombs in valleys west of the Nile. (The Valley of the Kings)

The Hyksos During the Egyptian civil war, outsiders

called Hyksos invaded Egypt. They were powerful warriors with horses

and chariots. They easily conquered Egypt.

For more than 100 years, the Hyksos ruled Egypt.

Finally, an Egyptian prince named Ahmose formed an army and drove the Hyksos out of Egypt.

This event marked the beginning of the New Kingdom.

The New Kingdom

For about 500 years the New Kingdom prospered.

Egypt conquered more lands and prospered through trade.

This time period was the height of Egypt’s power.

A woman Pharoah A queen named HATSHEPSUT was one of

the few women to rule Egypt. She was an ambitious ruler. She restored many old monuments and she

built magnificent temples. During her rule, trade with other countries

increased. Egyptian traders travelled far and wide to

trade Egyptian goods for rare materials like wood and iron.

Trade and Politics The Egyptians traded wheat, paper, gold,

copper, tin and tools to the Phoenicians for purple dye, wood and furniture.

All this trade in the Mediterranean helped to make Egypt wealthy.

The Egyptians also developed political ties between Egypt and other kingdoms.

To maintain close ties, the Egyptians sent ENVOYS (representatives) to other countries and married into other ruling families.

Expanding the Empire

When HATSHEPSUT dies, her nephew THUTMOSE III becomes pharaoh.

THUTMOSE III was a strong leader and a great general.

He conquered many areas and brought more wealth to Egypt.

Two Unusual Pharaohs

Amenhotep IV tried to change Egypt’s religion. He began the worship of Aton (Ra), the sun god) as

Egypt’s only god. Many Egyptians rejected this change and continued

to worship in the old ways. When he died, the old ways were restored.

When Amenhotep dies, his son in law, Tutankhamen becomes pharaoh.

He does away with the new religion and restores the old ways. He only rules for nine years before he dies.

King Tut is famous because his tomb was found intact and it gave us an idea of how

wealthy the pharaohs were.

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Recovery and Decline During the 1200s BCE, the pharaohs worked to

restore Egypt’s greatness. The most successful of these pharaohs was

Ramses II. He conquered new lands and also made many

temples and monuments to his rule. One of the most magnificent temples was built

at Karnak. To this day, visitors are still awed by its awesomeness.

After Ramses dies, the Egyptian Empire goes in decline and eventually gets conquered by outsiders.

Karnak

The Great Sphinx

Any Questions ?