1. Chapter 4 Section 3
The Pyramid Builders

2. The Old Kingdom Began in about 2575 BC.
Egypt’s most famous pyramids built.
Dynasty – line of rulers from the same family.
Succession order that members of a royal family inherit the throne.
Ancient Egypt – more than 30 dynasties ruled!!

3. Pharaohs Pharaoh – meant “great house” – king’s palace
Pharaoh thought to be a god (religion and government not separate in Egypt!)
Believed that if pharaohs honored gods, Egypt would prosper.

4. Khufu’s Great Pyramid
Egypt became richer and more powerful – pyramids were built over tombs.
2550 BC – Pharaoh Khufu ordered a pyramid to be built for his greatness.
Largest pyramid ever built!!

5. Valley of the Kings
Eventually Egyptians stopped building pyramids because of grave robbers.
During the New Kingdom pharaohs began building secret tombs in the Valley of the Kings.
All but one of these tombs was discovered and robbed – the exception was Tutankhamen.

6. The Middle Kingdom
2160 BC – the Old Kingdom lost power and a hundred-year period of invasions and disunity followed.
Around 2055 BC – a strong pharaoh began the Middle Kingdom.
1985 BC – the Middle Kingdom reached its peak when Pharaoh Amenemhet I founded the 12th Dynasty.
12th Dynasty pharaohs invaded Nubia for gold!!

7. Middle Kingdom Ends
For more than 200 years – pharaohs of the 12th Dynasty expanded and strengthened Egypt.
Trade thrived / government was stable.
A weaker 13th Dynasty followed – overthrown by invaders from the east (the Hyksos).
1630 BC – the Middle Kingdom ended.