OLD KINGDOMTime: 2650 BC – 2150 BC # of dynasties 4
Accomplishments: Pyramid buildingStrong Central GovernmentStrong EconomyStronger Arts
1st ILLNESSTime: 2150 BC – 2040 BC # of dynasties: 4
Reasons for collapse of Old Kingdom:1)Collapse of central government and increase of
independent provinces after reign of Pepi II (90’s) Normarchs looked to have gained power as Pepi
aged and he could not prevent their rise, so they challenged central power
2)Climate Changes resulting in a decrease of the Nile's flooding, this had a huge impact on societycentral government was unable to deal with the
results of this change – power of pharaoh Nomarchs /other local rulers came up with a
solutions to best irrigate their own territory
Time: 2040 BC – 1640 BC # of dynasties: 3
Accomplishments: Pharaohs power -weakened nomarchs
Nile flooded betterRe-United Egypt
-Mentuhotep II (2nd founder)
Building CampaignStronger EconomyCommoners had afterlife
MIDDLE KINGDOM
Time: 1640 BC – 1550 BC # of dynasties: 4Reasons for fall of Middle Kingdom:
1)Division and Weakening of EgyptLower Egypt (Nile Delta area) governed by
“foreign born” leaders 2)Invasion by Hyksos
allowed Pharaohs to continue ruling – more concerned with “Tribute”
a)bronze b)war from chariotsc)better bow/arrow d) Nationalisme)new spinning/weaving
2nd ILLNESS
These helped Egypt “modernize”
Time: 1550 BC – 1070 BC # of dynasties: 12
Accomplishments: 1)King Ahmose kicked Hyksos out of Egypt
2)Re-United Egypt3)Very militaristic4)Empire building5)Extreme wealth/prosperity6)Massive building campaign
NEW KINGDOM
Thutmose I -- 1520 BC – 1492 BCexpanded Egyptian borders”Hammer of the Nubians”-hung the Nubian king from prow of his ship1st to have tomb in “Valley of the Kings”
Queen Hatshepsut – 1518 BC – 1484 BCpossibly 1st Female pharaohdressed like a man – wore beardincreased trade/economyavoided wartremendous building program
NEW KINGDOM PHARAOHS
Thutmose III – 1479 BC – 1425 BC”Napoleon of Egypt”Egyptian Empire reached its largestpierced ears
Akhenaton – 1352 BC – 1334 BC”Heretic King” – changed religion to monotheism
-Aton was only godlooked like a femaleeverything associated with Akhenaton was
destroyed after his death
NEW KINGDOM PHARAOHS
Tutankamen (King Tut) – 1333 BC – 1325 BC”Boy King” (age 9)Re-Established polytheism1922 – Howard Carter found his tomb”Curse of King Tut”
NEW KINGDOM PHARAOHS
“King Tut”
Solid Gold2500 lbs
$13 million
Ramses II (“the Great) – 1279 BC – 1213 BCruled 67 years150 - 160 childrentremendous builder (Abu Simbel)consumed with his “legacy” (Master of Political Spin)-Battle of Kadesh (political spin)>v. Hittites (iron / 3 man chariots)>Official version – TIE>Ramses version – RAMSES WON-had monuments built inscribed with him winning-no contrary sourcesafter death, gradual fall of Egyptian control
overextended, revolts, immorality/corruption
NEW KINGDOM PHARAOHS
EGYPTIAN ACHIEVEMENTS
Medicine – Mummification
Irrigation
Calendar
Astrology – est. a form of “Poor Man’s Almanac”
Pyramids - +100 still exist (Mathematics)
Hieroglyphics (wrote on Papyrus)
Champollion & the
Rosetta Stone
Hieroglyphics “Alphabet” 24 “letters” + 700 phonetic
symbols
Egyptian Math
1 10 100 1000 10,000 100,000 1,000,000
What number is this?
EGYPTIAN SOCIETYLIFE EXPECTANCY >age 30
>Living past 40 was rewarded by gov’t
MARRIAGE >similar to our concept of marriage>kids w/in 1st year (IMR = 60-70%)>children seen as a blessing if lived past 1 yr
EDUCATION >boys from wealthy families from ages 12-16>poor families followed job of dad>girls focused on home/family
BEAUTY >loved the body>facial hair = unclean>”perfume cones”
FOOD >fish, beer, bread, honey, peas, beans, onions, lettuce/cabbage, turnips, figs, grapes>little/to no beef – geography made it difficult