1. The Middle and New Kingdoms
Lesson 15

2. Last time we met…
Ancient Egyptian civilization grew along the Nile river.
Egypt was once divided into Upper and Lower.
Egypt was protected by natural walls like cataracts and deserts.
Before the Nile empties into the sea, it forms a delta.
A delta is a triangle area of land that has very fertile soil.
The Nile river flooded more regularly than in Mesopotamia.
Egyptians called their kings pharaohs.
King Menes united upper and lower Egypt and created a dynasty.
A dynasty is a series of rulers from one family.
Egyptian history is split into old, middle and new kingdoms.
Egyptian kings were thought to be gods
Egyptians were polytheistic.
Pharaohs had absolute power but had nobles to assist them.
Egyptians believed in an afterlife where the spirit lived on.

3. Last time we met…
The spirit was connected to the body in the afterlife.
Mummies were made to preserve the body after death.
This was done so that the spirit could recognize the body.
Rich people could afford to have their body embalmed.
Poor people buried their dead in the dry desert air.
Pyramids were built as tombs for the pharaohs.
There are many pyramids in Egypt.
Pyramid building only lasted through the Old Kingdom and into the Early Middle Kingdom.

4. Middle to New
Toward the end of the Old Kingdom, Egypt began to have problems.
These problems led to pharaohs losing power and a confusing time of chaos in Egypt’s history called the Middle Kingdom.
Nobles battled each other for power which weakened Egypt as a whole.
A group from outside of Egypt called Hyksos were even able to rule the Lower Kingdom for about 200 years.
The Hyksos used introduced new weapons to Egypt.
In the 1500’s BC, Ahmose re-united Egypt by leading a fight that removed the Hyksos, starting the New Kingdom.

5. New Weapons
This is a chariot. 2-Wheeled cart allowing faster movement in battle.

6. New Weapons
This is a battering ram, used to knock down walls.

7. New Weapons
The composite bow was made of several parts and not just one. It was more powerful and smaller than earlier bows.

8. The New Kingdom During this period, Egypt rose to it’s greatest power.
After the Hyksos, Egyptians wanted make sure that they did not have any enemies.
To do this, they decided to take over their neighbors and start an empire.
They used the new weapons introduced by the Hyksos to create their empire.
The empire made Egypt rich as the people they conquered were forced to send gifts (called tribute) to Egypt every year.
Trade was also increased now that Egyptians were completely in charge.

10. Great Leaders of Egypt Hatshepsut
One of the greatest leaders of Egyptian history.
Her husband died young.
He left his rule to his son, who was just a baby.
Hatshepsut ruled while the real king was a child.
She encouraged trade to expand and brought riches to Egypt.
She used this wealth to build many great temples during her rule.
She died at 50 years old when her step-son took over for himself.

11. Great Leaders of Egypt Ramses the Great
The last great Egyptian pharaoh.
Was able to fight off invasions from various enemies including the Hittites.
Built many forts on the outsides of his empire to protect it from further invasion.
Strengthened Egypt and brought even more riches to his empire.
Leaders after him were weak and Egypt would never be as strong again.