Chapter 8 Introduction 8.1 The Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs

Ancient Egyptian leader or king Pharaoh Ancient Egyptian leader or king

All Aboard… Ancient Egyptian Felucca boat

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8.2 Ancient Egypt and Its Rulers Ancient Egypt enjoyed three long periods of stability and unity under the rule of pharaohs. Historians call these periods the Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, and the New Kingdom. Old Kingdom Middle Kingdom New Kingdom

The Old Kingdom Lasted from about 2700 to 2200 B.C.E. During this time, the pharaohs set up a strong central government. They also built great pyramids as tombs for themselves. Some call this time the Age of Pyramids.

Pyramid A huge, triangular-shaped monument of ancient Egypt built around a tomb

The Middle Kingdom The Middle Kingdom lasted from about 2000 to 1800 B.C.E. and is sometimes called the Period of Reunification because it followed years of chaos and disunity. During this era, Egyptians made many great achievements in literature , art, and architecture.

The New Kingdom The New Kingdom (about 1600 – 100 B.C.E.) is often called Egypt’s Golden Age. During this time of peace and stability, Egypt’s power reached its height. Pharaohs increased trade and built gigantic monuments. Egypt is strong!

Pharaohs As in Mesopotamia, religion played a central role in Egypt’s social and political order. The pharaohs were believed to be gods. They owned all the land and were responsible for the people’s well-being. They were kings, generals, and religious leaders, all at once.

Pharaohs After they died, the pharaohs were thought to enter the afterlife that would never end. Their great tombs were built to last forever. The pharaohs built other monuments to glorify their power and success. Let’s find out more about these structures and the pharaohs who built them.

What are the 3 key periods in Egyptian history? Learning Check What are the 3 key periods in Egyptian history? Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom What is each period known for? Old – strong central government, pyramids. Middle – Unification, achievements in literature, art, and architecture. New – Peace, stability. Power reached its height, gigantic monuments What was the role of the pharaohs in ancient Egypt? Believed to be gods. Owned land, responsible for people’s well-being, kings, generals, and religious leaders.

Let’s continue our tour and visit the Great Pyramid at Giza 8.3

Time to visit the monument

The Great Pyramid at Giza

Let me tell you how Khufu built the Great Pyramid at Giza

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8.4

Time to visit the monument

Let me tell you about the reconstruction of the White Chapel at Karnak

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Let’s continue our tour and visit Hatshepsut’s Temple at Dayr al-Bahri

8.5

Time to visit the monument

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Let’s continue our tour and visit the Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel 8.6

Time to visit the monument

Let me tell you more

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