Chapter 2 / Section 3Chapter 2 / Section 3The Egyptian EmpireThe Egyptian Empire

The Middle Kingdoms (pgs. The Middle Kingdoms (pgs. 59-67)59-67)

About 2300 B.C., pharaohs lost control of About 2300 B.C., pharaohs lost control of Egypt due to nobles fighting over power.Egypt due to nobles fighting over power.

Finally, a new dynasty of pharaohs came to Finally, a new dynasty of pharaohs came to power and moved the capital south, from power and moved the capital south, from Memphis to Memphis to Thebes (theebz).Thebes (theebz).

This began the This began the Middle KingdomMiddle Kingdom which which lasted from about 2050 B.C. to 1670 B.C. lasted from about 2050 B.C. to 1670 B.C. and was a and was a

time of stability, prosperity, andtime of stability, prosperity, and

achievement.achievement.

Drive For More LandDrive For More Land Egypt took control of other lands.Egypt took control of other lands. - captured - captured NubiaNubia to the south to the south - attacked what is now Syria- attacked what is now Syria

Forced conquered people to send Forced conquered people to send tributetribute, forced payments., forced payments.

Pharaohs added:Pharaohs added: - more waterways and dams- more waterways and dams - increased amount of farmed land- increased amount of farmed land - built canal between Nile River and Red - built canal between Nile River and Red

SeaSea

The Arts BlossomThe Arts Blossom During the Middle Kingdom, arts, During the Middle Kingdom, arts,

literature, and architecture thrived.literature, and architecture thrived.

- painting- painting

- sculpting- sculpting

- poetry- poetry

- song- song

A new form of architecture emerged. A new form of architecture emerged. Instead of building pyramids, pharaohs Instead of building pyramids, pharaohs had their tombs cut into cliffs – had their tombs cut into cliffs – Valley of Valley of the Kingsthe Kings

End of Middle KingdomEnd of Middle Kingdom The Middle Kingdom came to an end in The Middle Kingdom came to an end in

1670 B.C. when the 1670 B.C. when the HyksosHyksos (hihk*sahs), (hihk*sahs), from western Asia, conquered Egypt.from western Asia, conquered Egypt.

Hyksos ruled Egypt for about 150 years.Hyksos ruled Egypt for about 150 years.

The New Kingdom (pgs. 61-The New Kingdom (pgs. 61-62)62) Around 1550 B.C., an Egyptian prince Around 1550 B.C., an Egyptian prince

named named AhmoseAhmose (ahm*ohs) drove (ahm*ohs) drove Hyksos out of Egypt.Hyksos out of Egypt.

Ahmose’s reign began the period Ahmose’s reign began the period known as the known as the New Kingdom, New Kingdom, 1550 B.C. 1550 B.C. to about 1080 B.C.to about 1080 B.C.

During the New Kingdom, Egypt was at During the New Kingdom, Egypt was at the height of its glory and grew richer the height of its glory and grew richer and more powerful.and more powerful.

A Woman RulerA Woman Ruler About 1473 B.C., a queen named About 1473 B.C., a queen named

Hatshepsut Hatshepsut (hat*SHEHP*soot) came to (hat*SHEHP*soot) came to power in Egypt.power in Egypt.

First woman to rule Egypt.First woman to rule Egypt. Hatshepsut was more interested in trade Hatshepsut was more interested in trade

than conquest. Trade journeys brought than conquest. Trade journeys brought great wealth to Egypt.great wealth to Egypt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9jmZiy_T-c&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9jmZiy_T-c&feature=related

Thutmose IIIThutmose III ThutmoseThutmose III (thoot*moh*suh) became III (thoot*moh*suh) became

pharaoh after Hatshepsut’s death.pharaoh after Hatshepsut’s death.

Under Thutmose’s reign:Under Thutmose’s reign:* aggressive wars of conquest* aggressive wars of conquest* empire grew rich from trade and * empire grew rich from trade and

tributetribute*enslaved many prisoners of war*enslaved many prisoners of war

The Legacies of Two Pharaohs (pgs. 64 The Legacies of Two Pharaohs (pgs. 64 & 65)& 65) About 1370 B.C., About 1370 B.C., Amenhotep IVAmenhotep IV (ah*muhn*hoh*tehp) (ah*muhn*hoh*tehp)

came to the throne.came to the throne.

Helped by his wife, Helped by his wife, NefertitiNefertiti (nehf*uhr*teet*ee). (nehf*uhr*teet*ee).

Amenhotep thought priests had too much power so Amenhotep thought priests had too much power so introduced new introduced new monotheisticmonotheistic (belief in one god) (belief in one god) religion – religion – AtonAton (ah*tuhn) (ah*tuhn)

Most Egyptians refused to accept new religion.Most Egyptians refused to accept new religion.

Changed his name to Changed his name to AkhenatonAkhenaton (ahk*nah*tuhn). (ahk*nah*tuhn).

Akhenaton neglected his duties as pharaoh and Akhenaton neglected his duties as pharaoh and Egypt’s empire greatly diminished.Egypt’s empire greatly diminished.

The Boy KingThe Boy King TutankhamenTutankhamen (too*tang*kah*muhn), better (too*tang*kah*muhn), better

known as known as King TutKing Tut, inherited the throne when , inherited the throne when Akhenaton died.Akhenaton died.

The new pharaoh was only about 9 years old and The new pharaoh was only about 9 years old and only ruled for 9 years before dying unexpectedly only ruled for 9 years before dying unexpectedly (suffered a fall or murdered?).(suffered a fall or murdered?).

Became most famous of all pharaohs after aBecame most famous of all pharaohs after a

British archaeologist found his tomb in 1922.British archaeologist found his tomb in 1922.

The tomb had not been looted or robbed and The tomb had not been looted or robbed and contained incredible treasures, including a contained incredible treasures, including a brilliant gold mask of the young pharaoh’s face.brilliant gold mask of the young pharaoh’s face.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3F4dEEQOzE&feature=related

The End of the New Kingdom (pgs. 65-The End of the New Kingdom (pgs. 65-67)67)

Ramses IIRamses II (ram*seez) was one of the (ram*seez) was one of the most effective pharaohs of the New most effective pharaohs of the New Kingdom.Kingdom.

He reigned for 66 years, from 1279 B.C. He reigned for 66 years, from 1279 B.C. to 1213 B.C.to 1213 B.C.

Under Ramses II, Egyptians regained Under Ramses II, Egyptians regained lands in western Asia and many temples lands in western Asia and many temples were built.were built.

The most magnificent was The most magnificent was KarnakKarnak at at Thebes.Thebes.

Egypt’s Decline and FallEgypt’s Decline and Fall After Ramses II, Egypt’s power began to After Ramses II, Egypt’s power began to

decline.decline. By 1150 B.C., the Egyptians had lost By 1150 B.C., the Egyptians had lost

their empire and controlled only the their empire and controlled only the Nile delta.Nile delta.

Beginning in the 900s B.C., Egypt was Beginning in the 900s B.C., Egypt was ruled by:ruled by:

- Libyans- Libyans

- Kush (760 B.C.)- Kush (760 B.C.)

- Assyrians (670 B.C.)- Assyrians (670 B.C.)