Download The Middle Kingdom was a golden age of peace, prosperity, and

Chapter 2 Section 3:
The Middle Kingdom
Main Idea:
The Middle Kingdom was a
golden age of peace, prosperity,
and advances in the arts and
architecture.
The Middle Kingdom
 About 2,300 B.C., the pharaohs
lost control of Egypt.
 After 200 years of chaos, a new
dynasty came to power and
moved the capital of Egypt to
Thebes where they restored
order and stability.
 During the Middle Kingdom,
Egypt took control of new lands
and forced conquered people to
pay tribute.
 Within Egypt, new riches were
used to build waterways, dams,
and a canal between the Nile
River and the Red Sea.
Painters covered
the walls of
tombs and temples with
colorful scenes of the
dieties and daily life
Arts,
Literature,
and
Architecture
flourish
During the Middle
Kingdom
Poets wrote love songs
and tributes to the
pharaohs
Sculptors created large
wall carvings and
statues of pharaohs
showing them as
ordinary people
rather than god-like
Architects created a new
Form of architecture in
Which pharaohs had their
Tombs cut into cliffs
West of the Nile in the
Valley of the kings
The Valley of the Kings
Who Were the Hyksos?
 By about 1670 B.C., the Middle Kingdom ended
and Egypt faced threats from outsiders known
as the Hyksos from Western Asia.
 The Hyksos were mighty warriors who
crossed the deserts on horse-drawn chariots
and used weapons made of bronze and iron.
 Egyptians fought on foot with copper and
stone weapons and were no match for the
Hyksos.
 The Hyksos conquered Egypt and ruled for 150
years.
Ahmose 1550 B.C.
 An Egyptian prince who led an
uprising that drove the Hyksos out
of Egypt.
 His rule began a period known as
the New Kingdom.
 During the period from 1550 B.C. to
1080 B.C., Egypt became richer and
more powerful.
 Egyptians marched their armies
into western Asia and brought
other lands under control.
 During the New Kingdom, Egypt
reached the height of its glory.
Hatshepsut 1480 B.C.
 A queen who became the first
woman to rule Egypt in her own
right.
 More interested in trade than
conquest.
 During her reign trade expanded
and brought great wealth to Egypt.
 Used some of her wealth to build
monuments.
 One of her greatest projects was a
great temple and tomb in the
limestone cliffs of the Valley of the
Kings.
The Valley of the Queens
1473-1458 B. C.
E.
Temple of Queen
Hatshepsut
Thutmose III 1450 B.C.
 Nephew of Hatshepsut.
 Began aggressive wars of conquest
and expanded Egypt’s borders north
into Mesopotamia and south into
Nubia.
 Under Thutmose, Egypt controlled
more land than it ever had.
 Thutmose’ empire grew rich through
trade and tribute.
 Claimed gold, copper, ivory and other
valuable goods from conquered
people.
 Enslaved many prisoners of war as
slavery became widespread during the
New Kingdom.
 Put slaves to work building palaces,
temples and monuments in the capital
city of Thebes.
Ankhenaton: First
Monotheist?
1352-1336 B. C.
E.
Akhenaton (Amenhotep)
1370 B.C.
 Came to the throne with his wife,
Nefertiti and tried to lead Egypt
in a new direction.
 Introduced a new religion that
swept away the old gods and
goddesses.
 Reduced the priest’s power by
seizing their lands and closing
temples.
 Called for worship of only one
god called Aton.
 Changed name to Akhenaton
which means Spirit of “Aton”
Queen
Nefertiti
Akhenaton
 First to introduce the idea
of belief in one god or
monotheism.
 Made enemies with the
priests who refused to
accept Aton as the only
god.
 Became so devoted to the
new religion that he
neglected his duties as
pharaoh.
 Took no action when Egypt
was attacked by the Hittites
and lost most of its lands
in western Asia.
The Ankh – The “Cross” of
Life
Archaeologist, Howard Carter
(1922)
Entrance to King “Tut’s” Tomb
King Tutankhamon’s Death
Mask
1336-1327 B. C.
E.
King Tutankhamon
King Tutankhamun’s Tomb
D:\Animations\whs05_02_39B.html
Treasures From Tut’s Tomb
Tutankhamen
 Inherited the throne from
Akhenaton when he was 10
years old.
 Relied on help from palace
officials and priests who
convinced him to restore
the old religion.
 Ruled for only 9 years and
died unexpectedly.
 King Tut is best known
because his grave was
found undisturbed and
held incredible treasures.
Ramses 1279 B.C.
 Reigned for 66 years and
regained lands in western
Asia.
 Rebuilt the Egyptian
empire and launched an
ambitious building
program, constructing
major new temples.
 Most magnificent temple
built was Karnak at Thebes
with a columned hall
decorated with colorful
paintings.
 Most important monument
built was at Abu Simbel.
 Many temples were built by
enslaved people captured
in war.
Abu Simbel:
Monument to Ramses II
1279-1213 B. C.
E.
The Battle of Kadesh
Ramses II at Kadesh
Treaty of Kadesh
Who Are These Strange People?