Ancient Egypt

By the end of this set of slides, students should be able to:1. Understand the importance of the Nile—and its

predicable flooding—to ancient Egyptian culture2. Describe the similarities and differences between the

Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms

“Gift of the Nile” As flood waters receded they left behind

a layer of rich black topsoil called silt. Reservoirs were also built to capture and

store flood water. A series of canals were built to carry

water to the fields throughout the growing season.

The Nile also provided an excellent transportation source which helped to unite Egypt.

Predynastic Egypt

Most important thing to remember here: The Egyptians learned how to control the

Nile’s flood waters How was this possible?

Nile floods with regularity

The Old Kingdom c. 2700-2200 B.C.

Marked by dynasties After the nobility lost their

independence, power was centered around Pharaoh These were analogous to kings or queens Pharaoh = “great house”

The Old Kingdom c. 2700-2200 B.C.

Pharaoh Egyptians believed he was both human

and divine Had a responsibility to maintain maat

Balance and harmony (truth, order, and cosmic balance)

Derived his power from his ability to provide protection and prosperity

The Old Kingdom 2700-2200 B.C.

Pharaoh Huge pyramids were constructed to

house the pharaoh after he died What might this say about the religious

beliefs of the Egyptians?

The Old Kingdom 2700-2200 B.C.

Pharaoh Security and prosperity came to an end

late in the Sixth Dynasty

The Middle Kingdom 2050-1800 B.C.

Most important in this period: Hyksos ruled:

1. Adopted much of the Egyptian way of ruling2. Used hieroglyphics 3. Introduced the horse-drawn chariot and

bronze weapons

The New Kingdom 1570-1090 B.C.

New, Egyptian pharaohs eventually throw out the Hyksos

After this they began to conquer lands outside of traditional Egypt.

The Egyptian Empire ruled from Nubia in the south to the Euphrates River in the northeast.

Countries in this region were forced to pay tribute in money, food and/or slaves recognizing Egypt’s supremacy.

The New Kingdom 1570-1090 B.C.

These Pharaohs had notable impact on Egypt during the New Kingdom/Empire Age:

1. Hatshepsut2. Thutmose III3. Amenhotep IV / Akhenaton4. Tutankhamen5. Ramses II

Hatshepsut (1500 to 1480 B.C.)

Hatshepsut (1500 to 1480 B.C.)

Sister/wife of Thutmose II, she became regent for Thutmose III upon her husband’s death. Unable to bear children Thutmose III was the son of Thutmose II and a lesser wife.

Peaceful reign, when trade prospered. Surplus revenue was used to fund future

conquests and to build temples in Thebes and her burial temple in the Valley of the Kings, Dier el-Bahri.

Her death was somewhat of a mystery. Her burial temple was never finished and her burial was never found.

Thutmose III (1450 B.C)

Thutmose III (1450 B.C) Ushered in a “golden age” Trained as an officer in the Egyptian army.

Earned the loyalty of the army. He became one of Ancient Egypt’s greatest

warrior kings. He expanded the Egyptian empire to the

Euphrates river. Tribute he demanded from neighboring

kingdoms decorated the temples of Egypt.

Amenhotep IV (1379-1360 BC) Changed Egyptian religion to monotheism

Aton Represented by a sun disk with many

outstretched nurturing hands as rays of the sun Eventually changed his name to Akhenaton (“all

is right with Aton”) He also believed that naturalism was more

important than idealism. He had he and his family rendered in sculpture

and painting in their true visages instead god-like physiques.

Tutankhamen (1333 BC – 1324 BC)

Son-in-law of Akhenaton During his reign, the capital was returned

to Thebes, and all monuments of Aton were destroyed

There is some evidence that Tutankhamen probably died as a result of a blow to the head.

Best known for the tremendous historical insight that the artifacts in his undisturbed tomb contained