The Government of Egypt Pharaohs and Dynasties and Gods – Oh, My!
Who Rules? The ruler of Ancient Egypt is called a PHARAOH Another word for King They have a monarchy One person rules Passed from father to son They have absolute power – they control EVERYTHING! “Updating you Phacebook?”
Who died and made you king?... Dynasties – a bunch of rulers from the same family Your grandpa was king, then your dad, now you! There were dynasties in Egypt from 3100 BC- 332 BC Pharaohs carried a power that did not “vanquish at night time, or with death” When Pharaoh did die – he was no longer “Horus” Being “Horus” passed to his son Allowed for dynasties to rule for long periods of time
Ponder this one …. When a pharaoh dies his “godliness” is passed to his son In a sense, the son is his father’s reincarnation (his dad is reborn into the body of the son) When a pharaoh takes over for his father, his mother (the previous pharaoh’s wife) is, in a sense, his wife as well The son (in some sense) is his father
Before Pharaohs… Lots of Fighting – land, resources, pride Upper Egypt vs. Lower Egypt King Narmer (of UE)won and combined the kingdoms… and the crowns
Who da god? You da god! Early pharaohs carried a shepherd’s crook to show he would lead and care for people Like a shepherd leads and cares for sheep Soon they actually thought of him as a god - Horus Thought pharaoh made the Nile Flood = crops! Had to keep pleasing pharaoh/god! It wasn’t until major famine/civil war that people realized – the king couldn’t control everything – he must not be a god!
Out with the Old and in with the Nubia! Old Kingdom Spent time … Trading with Nubia Eastern Mediterranean for wood People began to challenge the rule of the pharaohs and they were over thrown
Out with the Old and in with the Nubia! Middle Kingdom Spent time … Public projects Buildings Irrigation ditches Conquering Nubia Lost control because of foreign invaders – Hyksos Better weapons and tactics But… Egyptian princes planned rebellion Beat the invaders with their own weapons!
Out with the Old and in with the Nubia! New Kingdom – “Golden Age” Spent time building their empire Created large armies – prevent conquering Took back control of Nubia Went up to Canaan – where the Hyksos Big no-no! Amenhotep – tried to change people from poly to monotheism As soon as he died – the people rebelled and went back to worshipping their old gods
End of Egyptian Rule… No Kingdom Civil War (war between people in same country) made Egypt weak Conquered by the Greeks (Macedonia) Conquered by the Romans Was controlled by foreigners for the next 2000 years