Download Notes 12-15-15 - Hewlett

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During the Middle Kingdom period of the Egyptian Empire
the people prospered. It was considered a golden age of stability
because a new dynasty came to power after 200 years of confusion
and battles among the nobles. This new dynasty moved the capital
to Thebes from the old capital of Memphis. The Middle Kingdom
lasted from about 2050 BCE to 1670 BCE.
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What was life like in The Egyptian Empire during The Middle Kingdom
years?

2300 BC – pharaohs lost control of Egypt as nobles battled each
other for power; led to 200 years of confusion

New dynasty came to power and led from Thebes (south of
Memphis)
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The Egyptians wanted more land in order to increase
farmland which would lead to a greater surplus of food. In order to
get more land they captured Nubia and attacked Syria. Conquered
countries sent tribute to the Pharaoh which is like paying taxes. This
way Egypt got more money/gold or other goods as payment. They
also added more waterways and dams and built a canal between
the Nile and Red Sea in order to increase farmland and grow more
crops.
Order restored during new time called Middle Kingdom –
golden age of stability, prosperity and achievement
Why did the Egyptians have a “Drive for More Land”?

Soldiers captured Nubia and attacked modern day Syria

Conquered people sent tribute to Egyptian pharaoh

Pharaohs added more waterways and dams

Increased amount of land farmed and built canal btw Nile and Red
How did the “Arts Blossom” during the Middle Kingdom?
During the Middle Kingdom, the arts blossomed in Egypt.
Artisans became more skilled than ever before, painters covered
walls of tombs and temples with colorful scenes of daily life and the
gods. Sculptors created carvings and statues of pharaohs as ordinary
people. Poets wrote love songs and tributes to pharaohs. Tombs
were cut into cliffs in the Valley of the Kings. It was a creative time
in ancient Egypt.

Painters covered walls of tombs and temples with colorful scenes
of deities and daily life

Sculptors created large wall carvings and statues of pharaohs
showing them as ordinary people, not godlike figures

Poets wrote love songs and tributes to pharaohs

New form of architecture – tombs cut into cliffs west of Nile River
– the Valley of the Kings
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Who Were the Hyksos?
 Akenhaton- changed the religion from polytheistic to
monotheistic, angered many people, lost lands and
shrunk empire
 Tutankamen- famous for his tomb of riches found by
Howard Carter in 1922
 Ramses II- built temples, regained land and rebuilt the
empire
 Thebes- capital of Egypt’s Middle Kingdom
 Tribute- forced payment from conquered people
 Incense- a material burned for its pleasant smell
 Hyksos – people from western Asia who attacked
Egypt.
o
Mighty warriors; crossed desert in horse-drawn chariots and
used weapons made of bronze and iron.
o
Egyptians were no match for them, they ruled Egypt for 120
years
o
Egyptian prince Ahmose led an uprising that drove Hyksos out
of Egypt
Ahmose- first ruler of Egypt’s New Kingdom (1550 BCE – 1080
BCE)
Hatshepsut- female pharaoh who avoided military conquests
and expanded the economy of Egypt
Thutmose III - Hatshepsut’s nephew, his armies expanded
Egypt, slavery was common and the empire grew rich from
trade and tribute
Wh
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1. How did architecture change during the Middle Kingdom?
Instead of building pyramids, pharaohs built their tombs
into the sides of cliffs west of the Nile River. This area
became known as the Valley of the Kings.
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The Egyptian Empire: What was life like in The New Kingdom?`

 Who was the woman ruler of Egypt?

Queen Hatshepsut ruled with her husband, then nephew and then made
herself pharaoh – one of few woman to rule Egypt

She focused on trade along east coast of Africa – exchanged beads,
metal, tools and weapons for gold, ivory, ebony and incense

Great need for wood; few trees in the Nile so Egyptian traders went to
eastern Mediterranean where the Phoenicians were famous for their
wooden furniture

Trading brought great wealth to Egypt – Hatshepsut used some of wealth
to build monuments. One of greatest projects was huge temple and
tomb in Valley of Kings
2. Who were the Hyksos?
The Hyksos were people from western Asia who attacked
Egypt. They defeated the Egyptians and ruled Egypt for 120
years, from 1670 BCE to 1550 BCE.
3. In what ways are hieroglyphics and computer icons similar?
They are both pictures that stand for (represent) words.
However, hieroglyphics involved hundreds of symbols
understood mostly by scribes while millions of everyday
people use and understand computer icons.
Ahmose’s reign began the New Kingdom when Egypt reached the height
of its ancient glory, Lasted from about 1550 BCE to 1080 BCE.
How did Thutmose III further expand the Egyptian empire?

Armies expanded Egypt’s borders north to Euphrates River in
Mesopotamia and moved south to regain control of Nubia; Empire grew
rich from trade and tribute; Egypt claimed gold, copper, ivory and other
valuables

Enslaved many prisoners of war who rebuilt Thebes, filling the city with
beautiful palaces, temples and monuments, and Slavery became
common; they did have rights to own land, marry and eventually be
granted freedom
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The Egyptian Empire: The Legacies of Two Pharaohs
1. Describe Egyptian trade during the rule of Hatshepsut.
2. Which kingdom included lands across the Mediterranean
Sea? See Map page 62 in JAT
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Who was a religious reformer of the Egyptian empire?
3. What physical feature makes up much of the eastern border
of the Middle Kingdom? See Map page 62 in JAT
Who was the “boy king”?
4. Why did ancient Egyptians first value cats?