The Egyptian Empire

Recall that the Egyptian dynasties were divided into the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, and the New Kingdom.

The Old Kingdom, lasted from 2600 B.C. to 2300 B.C.; was also known as the Pyramid Kingdom.

I. The Middle Kingdom

1. Around 2300 B.C., nobles began to battle one another and a whole new dynasty of pharaohs ended up coming to power.

2. The capital of Egypt was moved from Memphis to Thebes, further South.

3. As a result, the Middle Kingdom came about. Egypt enjoyed a golden age of stability, prosperity, and achievement. In other words, they didn’t fight 24/7, they had wealth, and they enjoyed success.

4. Egyptian Pharaohs were now buried in tombs cut into cliffs instead of big pyramids.

5. Egyptians pharaohs began to become power hungry and took over new lands. They forced the people whose land they took to pay $$, or tribute. As a result, Egypt increased its riches.

6. During the Middle Kingdom, the arts, literature, and architecture blossomed.

• Statues of Pharaohs• Walls of temples painted with colorful

scenes of deities and daily life.

7. The Middle Kingdom ended when the Hyksos attacked and conquered Egypt. The Hyksos ruled until around 1550 B.C., when the Egyptian prince Ahmose led a revolt to drive the Hyksos out of Egypt.

II. The New Kingdom

• 1550 B.C. – 1080 B.C.1. During the New Kingdom period,

Egypt grew richer and more powerful.

2. Hatshepsut was the first woman to rule Egypt.

3. Trade grew during her reign. Traders exchanged beads, tools, and weapons for ivory, wood, leopard skins, and incense—a material burned for its pleasant smell.

Hatshepsut

• Co-ruled with her husband• After his death, ruled on behalf of her

young nephew• Interested more in trade than conquest, or

expanding the empire• More trade meant more $$ for Egypt• Built monuments with the wealth including

a great temple and tomb in the limestone cliffs of the Valley of the Kings.

Hatshepsut

• Had to prove she was a good leader since she was a woman.

• Wore men’s clothing to convince people she could handle a man’s job.

• Ruled for 21 years• Was overthrown by her stepson,

Thutmose III.

Thutmose III

4. Thutmose III became pharaoh after Hatshepsut’s death. He conquered more lands, and Egypt grew richer from tributes.

5. Unfortunately, slavery became common in Thutmose’s reign. Slaves had some rights. They could own land, marry, and eventually be granted their freedom.

Thutmose III

• More territory than ever before• Slaves rebuilt Thebes• They built many beautiful palaces,

temples, and monuments.

III. The Legacies of Two Pharaohs

1. Amenhotep IV came to power in 1370 B.C.

2. Amenhotep felt priests were gaining too much power. He introduced a new religion with only one god, named Aton. Priests who did not follow the new religion were removed from power.

3. Most Egyptians refused to accept the new religion.

4. Amenhotep, later changing his name to Akhenaton, became so devoted to his new religion that he neglected his other duties. He did not act when the Hittites attacked Egypt. As a result, Egypt’s empire suffered a great loss.

5. Tutankhamen, now called King Tut, was a boy ruler who took power after Akhenaton (Amenhotep) died. He ruled for only nine years before his death. In A.D. 1922, Howard Carter, a British archaeologist found his tomb.

IV. The End of the New Kingdom

1. Ramses II was one of the most effective pharaohs of the New Kingdom.

He ruled for a remarkable 66 years.1279 B.C. to 1213 B.C.

2. During Ramses’s rule, many temples were built throughout Egypt.

Rameses II

The Pharaoh Who Made a Name for Himself

(1279-1213 BC)

Shared by Lin DonnIllustrated by Phillip Martin

Rameses IIEach time a new pharaoh came to power, each neighboring civilization sent an army or two to test the new pharaoh.

The neighbors hoped that perhaps this time they could steal a piece of Egypt for themselves.

Rameses II When Rameses II became pharaoh, the neighbors sent warriors to see what would

happen. Rameses II was a brave man, a good husband, and a loving father. But he was a terrible general. Some people remember him today because he was such a poor general. Luckily, he had great helpers.

Rameses II Some remember Rameses as the Pharaoh who had 111 sons, 51 daughters, and many wives. Others recognize his name because he orderedthe construction of the temple of Abu Simbel, the huge temple that is 180 feet long, 90 feet high, and decorated with four 60 foot high statues of Rameses II.

Rameses II But in ancient Egypt, people knew his name because Rameses ordered his name chiseled on everything.

He even had his name put on statues that were not statues of himself. He did this to bolster people’s confidence in his leadership abilities.

Rameses II Today, his name is still found in Egypt on ancient buildings. But it was nothis chiseling that kept Egypt safe. Egypt was strong enough to survive his 60-year rule. Egypt was an ancient world power.

Her reputation, supported by capable leaders in the military, kept Egypt safe.

3. After Ramses’s rule, Egypt’s rule began to decline. Egypt was attacked by their neighbors and eventually controlled only the Nile delta. Beginning in the 900s B.C., Egypt was ruled by the Libyans, then the people of Kush, and finally the Assyrians.