Section 2, The Rulers Of Egypt - Schoolwires

Section 2, The Rulers of EgyptChapter 3Ancient Egypt and Nubia

Objectives Learn about the history of kingship inancient Egypt. Find out about Egypt’s accomplishmentsduring each of three kingdom periods. Understand what characterized the ruleof Egypt during the New Kingdomperiod.

Key Terms pharaoh – the title of the kings of ancientEgypt dynasty – a series of rulers from the samefamily or ethnic group absolute power – complete control oversomeone or something regent – someone who rules for a child untilthe child is old enough to rule

Egyptian Kingship Mostly men, but a few were women Queen Hatshepsut was one of a fewwomen (seven total) who eventuallytook the position of Pharaoh – titleused by the rulers of Egypt. Like all Egyptian pharaohs,Hatshepsut controlled Egypt’s largewealth and power.

From Dynasty to Dynasty The history of ancient Egypt iscategorized by its dynasties. Adynasty – is a series of rulers from thesame family or ethnic group. Egypt had 31 dynasties from 3100 BCuntil it was conquered in 332 BC byAlexander the Great.

Historians group Egypt’s dynasties into3 major time periods.1. Old Kingdom2. Middle Kingdom3. New Kingdom The time in between each Kingdomwere times of war, trouble, invasion, orweak rulers.

Egypt Is Unified According to legend, Egypt’s firstdynasty began when a king namedMenes united Upper and Lower Egypt. Menes built the city of Memphis nearpresent day Cairo to rule from. Afterunification, Egypt became one of themost stable civilizations in history.

All-Powerful Pharaohs A pharaoh had absolutepower – complete controlover their people. Whatever the pharaohdecided became law.

The Egyptian people thoughtthat their pharaohs were theearthly form of Horus, thefalcon god.Over time, the pharaohs werealso connected to the sungod Re.It was the pharaoh,Egyptians thought, whoprovided the yearly floodsand the harvest.

Reading CheckWho was Menes and what did he accomplish?Menes was thefirst leader ofEgypt’s firstdynasty.He unitedUpper andLower Egypt.

The Three Kingdoms Each kingdom had important eventsand achievements. The Old Kingdom had a well runsystem of government.

The Old KingdomMenes United Upper/Lower Egypt Built Memphis, near Cairo Shown wearing crown White crown Upper Egypt Red crown Lower Egypt

The Old Kingdom pharaohs keptpeace and traded with Nubia with fewconflicts.Timber was harvested and used forbuilding.

The end of the Old Kingdom began whengovernors of the provinces challenged thepower of pharaoh.Egypt’s unity crumbled, and the dynastiesgrew weak.

The Middle KingdomThe early rulers of the Middle Kingdomrestored order and reunited Egypt.The pharaohs of the Middle Kingdom spentmoney on public works projects such asbuilding construction and irrigation.

Middle Kingdom dynasties faded outbecause of foreign invaders.

The New KingdomEgyptian princes became strong enough todrive out invaders which signaled the start ofthe New Kingdom in 1567 BC.The pharaohs wanted to build an empire andbegan to recruit soldiers.

Their warriors andcharioteers werearmed with bronzeswords and bodyarmor.The bronze wasnearly unstoppable.

Reading CheckWhat characterized each of the three kingdoms? The Old Kingdom was characterized bypeace and trade with Nubia and theoverthrow of the pharaoh by his governors. The construction of buildings and irrigationprojects and invasions by outside forces tookplace during the Middle Kingdom. The New Kingdom was marked by thebuilding of its army and the creation ofarmor and weaponry.

Rule During the New Kingdom In 1504 BC, a child named ThutmoseIII began his reign. His stepmother was appointed regent –someone who rules for a child until thechild is old enough to rule. Hatshepsut had herself named pharaohand ruled for 15 years.

Hatshepsut Step mother ofThutmose III She ruled for him in1504 B.C. because ofher son’s age. Time of peace and great success. Traded with Nubians Ivory, leopard skins, trees

Hatshepsut’s Temple

The Pharaoh QueenWhen Thutmose III was old enough torule, Hatshepsut refused to give up thethrone.After her death Thutmose III becamepharaoh and destroyed all her statues.

Thutmose III Possibly killed hismother for the throne Lead in wars againstSyria, Phoenicia, Nubia Educated man loved tostudy plants Treated those hedefeated with mercy

Ancient Egypt after New Kingdom Civil war left Egypt weak and poorlydefended. In 332 BC, Egypt fell to Alexanderthe Great of Macedonia. The Macedonians ruled Egypt for the next300 years. In 51 BC, Queen Cleopatra became the lastMacedonian to rule Egypt until it finally fellto the Romans. Fearing humiliation, shecommitted suicide in 30 BC.

Alexander III – “The Great”

Reading CheckWhat caused the decline of Egypt duringthe New Kingdom period? Civil war in Egypt left the country weakand poorly defended.

Section 2 Assessment 1. (a) Identify What unusual powers didEgyptians believe their kings had? The Egyptians believed that their kingshad the power to provide floods and theharvests that followed, as if they weregods.

1. (b) Link Past and Present Explain why Egypt’s rulers hadmore authority than most rulershave today. Egyptian rulers had more authoritythan today’s leaders because theEgyptians thought rulers had god-likepowers and therefore hesitated toquestion their authority.

2. (a) Recall Describe some of theaccomplishments of each of thethree Egyptian kingdoms. Old Kingdom – pharaohs kept thepeace and trade with Nubia Middle Kingdom – irrigation and publicworks New Kingdom – huge, powerful armies

2. (b) Compare What characteristics did all threekingdoms have in common? The characteristics the three kingdomshad in common were making progressand prosperous times. They were alsoled by pharaohs.

3. (a) Generalize Describe the New Kingdom underThutmose III and during its laterdecline. Thutmose III conquered many lands.The conquered were treated with mercy.The New Kingdom declined after civilwar left Egyptians defenseless againstforeign invasion. Egypt fell toAlexander the Great.

3. (b) Analyze Information Why do you think the pharaohs ofEgypt were so successful for so long?What factors led to the decline ofEgypt? The pharaohs of Egypt were successfulbecause the people believed their pharaohswere god-like. Fertile land and access to theNile allowed Egypt to grow and prosper. But, as it grew, the pharaohs lost power.Civil war ensued.

Gods of Early EgyptiansWhen Making decisions Ma’at Goddess of Truth Speak to advisors Horus falcon God Pray to God Re (Ray) Sun God Pharaoh’s word is LAW

King Tutankhamen Became ruler as a child Died and buried at 18 Tomb discovered in 1922 Taught us a great dealabout Egyptians

End of Egypt Civil war left Egypt weak,poorly defended.1.Alexander the Great(Macedonia)332 B.C2.Queen Cleopatra VII(Macedonia) 51 B.C.3.Roman Empire 31 B.C.4.Egypt doesn’t govern itself for2,000 years.

Egypt Is Unified According to legend, Egypt’s first dynasty began when a king named Menes united Upper and Lower Egypt. Menes built the city of Memphis near present day Cairo to rule from. After unification, Egypt