1. Pre-Dynastic Period (5000 BCE) through Decadent Period (642 CE)
Ancient Egypt
Pre-Dynastic Period (5000 BCE) through Decadent Period
(642 CE)

3. Pre-Dynastic Egypt 5000 - 3100 BCE
Origins are connected with Agricultural Revolution (5000 BCE)
Irrigation methods developed
Beginnings of establishment of provinces or nomes
Each nome ruled by a nomarch
Connected by common sets of language/writing

4. Archaic Period to 2900 BCE
Menes considered the great unifier of Egypt
Joined Upper Kingdom and Lower Kingdom
Established Capital at Memphis
Established divine position of Pharaoh
Possibly known as Narmer
First of the “tomb builders” (Abydos)

5. Menes
Symbol of Aha

6. The Old Kingdom – 2150 BCE
Characterized by the “Pyramid Builders”
Social Classes (Priests, Slaves, Common, and Wealthy) emerged
Consisted of 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Dynasties
Zoser (3rd)
Khufu (4th)
Sahure (5th)
Pepi I and II (6th)

7. Imhotep The Great Architect of Egypt
Designed the earliest pyramids and is said to be responsible for creating columns
Founder of Egyptian Medicine

8. Zoser’s Tomb
Khufu’s Tomb/Great Pyramid

9. Era of Unrest 2475 – 2160 BCE Collapse of Central Government
Caused by the expanding power of regional rulers
Trade is undermined by feuding regional nomarchs

10. The Middle Kingdom 2160 – 1788 BCE
Re-establishment of Central Rule under 11th Dynasty
Amunemhet I
Moved capital to Thebes (11th )
Capital later moved to Crocidodilopolis (12th ) after Fayum Development

11. Egyptian Women Primarily attached to household duties
Could not hold office, attend school, or join bureaucracy
Could own land, sue for divorce, had equal legal protection in theory

12. Second Intermediate Period 1788 - 1580 BCE
After Death of Queen Sobekneferu the Kingdom is Split
Hyskos exploit split to invade and take over Egyptian lands.
Introduces Chariots, Bronze Weaponry, composite bows, and preservation of ancient Egypt’s history

14. The New Kingdom 1580 – 1150 BCE 18th Dynasty 1550 - 1292
Ahmose I expels Hyskos
Moves Capital back to Thebes, later moved to Akhetaten
Period marked by Military expansion and Military rule
Key Rulers
Ahmose I
Amenhotep I
Nefertiti
Tutankhamen

16. The New Kingdom 1580 – 1150 BCE 19th Dynasty 1292 – 1187 BCE
Ramses I moves Capital to Avaris
Reclaimed and defended lost territories
Expanded construction at Valley of the Kings as well as elsewhere in Kingdom
Merenptah moved the Capital city back to Memphis

17. Valley of the Kings Valley of the Kings
Contains tombs of 63 different Kings
Important Archeological digs have led to great amounts of Historical Knowledge

18. The New Kingdom 1580 – 1150 BCE 20th Dynasty 1190-1069 BCE
Setnakhte moves Capital back to Memphis
Era marked with War (Hittiites and Libyans), Corruption, Civil Disobedience, Famine, and a general Division of the Empire
Ramses III ( BCE) seen as last great Pharaoh

19. Amenmesse Otherwise known as “Moses” Seen as father of Jewish faith
Established state of Israel
Led Hyskos out of Egypt (ca 1190 BCE)

20. Third Intermediate Period 1069 – 752 BCE
Egypt severely weakened by civil wars
Up to 4 different rulers at any given time
Vulnerable to outside attack

21. The Late Kingdom BCE
Regions of empire begin breaking away and forming new empires
Libyans, Kushites, Ethiopians, Assyrians, and Persians all rule at one time or another
Egyptians briefly regain control of empire (marked by the 28th, 29th, and 30th dynasties)

22. Ptolemaic Period 332-30 BCE Egypt conquered by Alexander the Great
Established great library at Alexandria
After his death, General Ptolemy assumed control of Egypt
His decedents reigned until Cleopatra’s defeat at the hands of Octavian

23. Architecture of Ptolemy

24. Decadent Period and Beyond
Roman Rule 146 BCE to 429 CE
Vandals 429 – 435 CE
Byzantine CE
Persians
Muslims
Ottomans
French
Ottomans again
British
Egyptian Independence Feb 22, 1922 C.E

25. Recap Egyptian Civilization evolved around 8000 years ago
Nile River extremely important
United under Menes around 3100
Have been thirty different ruling dynasties
Pyramid building during the “Old Kingdom” epoch
Complex social system
Deeply concerned with afterlife
Downfall at the hands of Alexander the Great then Octavian
Important Names: Menes, Khufu, Amunemhet I, Ahmose I, Tutankhamen
Lasting Impact: Oldest “Empire”, Many remaining artifacts (Pots, Buildings, Mummies, Jewelry, Statues)

26. Sources
Nayanga, Peter, “A Guide to Ancient Egypt”, Given at St Cloud State, Spring 2007
Shillington, Kevin, History of Africa, St Martin’s Press, New York, New York, 1995
“Dynastic Periods” Aldokkan,