Middle/New Kingdoms A Mr. C Production

Do Now Who created Egypt’s first dynasty in 3100 B.C.? Who managed Sumer’s economy of crop supply? How was hieroglyphics written?

Recall (Do not need to write this) Remember the Nile River Civilization and Mesopotamia. Menes was Egypt’s first ruler/pharaoh. We learned about the Old Kingdom of Egypt. Today we will look at the Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom of Egypt.

The Middle Kingdom The Old Kingdom fell in 2200 B.C. The Middle Kingdom started in 2050 B.C. It was led by Mentuhotep II and it lasted for until 1750 B.C. Egypt was united. The wealth and power of the pharaohs for the declined at the end of the Old Kingdom. They couldn’t keep up with expenses with their taxes. Nobles were taking on very important government positions. For 160 years after 2200 B.C. nobles fought over power in Egypt. There was no central ruler in charge. Faming and trading drastically declined due to the chaos and instability within Egypt.

The Fall of the Middle Kingdom The pharaohs could not keep order. The Hyksos invaded from Southwest Asia in the mid 1700’s B.C. They would rule Egypt for 200 years The kingdom couldn’t be held together. The Hyksos used horses, chariots, and advanced weapons to defeat Lower Egypt. They wanted Egypt’s land, they were aware Egypt was suffering through a horrible famine. The Egyptians were forced to pay a tax to the Hyksos. They did not like paying this tax.

The New Kingdom Was started by Ahmose in the mid 1500’s B.C. It was the 18th dynasty in Egypt. It lasted from 1550 B.C. until 1050 B.C. Trade and conquest made Egypt very powerful. Ahmose was able to drive the Hyksos out of Egypt. He declared himself king of Egypt.

How the Middle Kingdom was built Egypt took the entire eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. They defeated the kingdom of Kush in south Egypt. The kingdom was very rich from military conquests. Egyptian leaders feared of future invasions and attacks after the Hyksos. They took control of invasion routes. In the 1400’s B.C. Egypt was the main military power in the region plus their empire went from the Euphrates River to south Nubia. Egypt had endless amount of gold and jewelry from their military conquests.

Queen Hatshepsut She got the throne after her husband/half-brother Thutmose II died. She dressed like a man and wanted to be called king. She ruled from 1472-1458 B.C. Thutmose III who was the rightful heir to his father, was too young to rule Egypt. Many were disturbed that she was in charge since men were mainly in charge. She had a great military campaign. Her evidence was written by herself. Her memory was basically erased some say it was Thutmose III.

Trade growth Egypt had many trade routes developed. Trade routes- Are paths followed by traders. There was a lot of natural resources. Queen Hatshepsut expanded Egyptian trade greatly. Egypt eventually traded with Greece and Asia Minor. These resources could be used for trade and expand the wealth of Egypt. She would send Egyptian traders to south where they would trade with Punt a kingdom on the Red Sea.

Queen Hatshepsut’s temple. Djeser-Djersu

A mini tour of the temple https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMD3Pep4drI

Activity/Reflection Please write down your full name (First name, last name) on the front of a piece of paper. Please answer the following question. Out of the Egyptian rulers we learned today, who do you think was the most successful and why? This might be collected, there are no wrong answers! We will discuss our choices if time permits.