The Jobs of Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs: Protect Serve Lead
Protect Center of Religion Center of Culture Center of Politics Keep the gods happy Pharaoh IS a god and has duties to ensure gods’ protection Center of Culture Center of Politics
Center of Politics Pharaoh as political leader Unity Old Kingdom ~3100 BC Menes united Upper and Lower Egypt Capital at Memphis
Center of Religion Pharaoh as builder Pyramids- ALL Old Kingdom 3rd Dynasty-The Step Pyramid of King Djoser at Saqqara Pharaoh as builder
Center of Religion Illustrate economic power/ strength/ prosperity What else do pyramids tell us about the Old Kingdom? Great Pyramids at Giza- 4th Dynasty Across the Nile from Memphis
Protect and Serve Pharaoh as political leader Unity/ peace and harmony Middle Kingdom- The Golden Age Reunification and expansion Pharaoh as public servant Pharaoh in charge of public works and welfare Rebuild after Intermediate Period Take care of the people
Protect and Serve Pharaoh as political leader Unity Serve New Kingdom Reunification and expansion Ahmose I conquered the Hyksos and rewarded soldiers with land= care Serve Rebuild after Intermediate Period Take care of the people Hatshepsut- rebuilding projects
Lead Pharaoh as military leader Expand Borders Secure Borders Egypt becomes the most powerful empire Expand Borders Tutmoses III- empire builder Amenhotep III Secure Borders Ramses II- Syria to Sudan opposed Hittite expansion at Quadesh
Lead Ramses II- Quadesh Then kept out of war… peace until after his death Propaganda to celebrate his victory
Center of Religion Karnak Luxor Pharaoh as builder New Kingdom : Amenhotep III
Center of Religion and Politics Abu-Simbel in Nubia Also expanded existing temples with colossal statues, obelisks, wall paintings, etc.
Center of Religion Akhenaton- Glory of Aton Changed to monotheism Worshipped Aton Loss of traditional gods Moved capital to Amarna Pol/ econ destabilized Assassinated after 12 yrs
Center of Culture The art of the Amarna Period illustrates the only change in Egyptian art in 3000 years How are the figures different?
Amarna Period How are the figures different?
Center of Culture Tutankhamon Valley of the Kings Pharaoh at ~9, died ~18 Restored the old gods Returned the capital to Thebes Valley of the Kings First pharaoh found with his tomb intact Found by Carter, 1922
Center of Religion Erase the memory of Armana Ramses II opposed the monotheism of Hebrews Slavery
External Problems Hyksos 1640-1570 Asian nomads invaded and ruled for 70 years End the Middle Kngdm Horse chariot and compound bow Hittites 1800- 1200ish Anatolian power comparable to Egypt Expansion challenged Egypt Destroyed by the Sea People who also end the New Kingdom
After 1200 BC Dark Age Middle Eastern civs decline and disappear Egypt dominated by Libyans and Nubians Conquered by Alexander and then Rome Middle Eastern civs decline and disappear no dominant power/ political vacuum other civs begin to develop