Transcript Ancient Egypt - Mr. Tredinnick

Ancient Egypt
Pre-Dynastic Period (5000 BCE)
through Decadent Period
(642 CE)
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
Archaic Period 3100
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)
Menes
Symbol of Aha
The Old Kingdom
2650 – 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)
Imhotep
• The Great Architect of
Egypt
• Designed the earliest
pyramids and is said
to be responsible for
creating columns
• Founder of Egyptian
Medicine
Zoser’s Tomb
Khufu’s Tomb/Great Pyramid
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
The Middle Kingdom
2160 – 1788 BCE
• Re-establishment of Central Rule under
11th Dynasty
– Amunemhet I
• Moved capital to Thebes (11th 2055- 2004)
• Capital later moved to Crocidodilopolis
(12th 1991-1962) after Fayum
Development
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
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
The New Kingdom 1580 – 1150
BCE
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18 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
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Ahmose I
Amenhotep I
Nefertiti
Tutankhamen
The New Kingdom 1580 – 1150
BCE
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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
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
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 (1186-1155 BCE) seen as last
great Pharaoh
Amenmesse
• Otherwise known as
“Moses”
• Seen as father of
Jewish faith
• Established state of
Israel
• Led Hyskos out of
Egypt (ca 1190 BCE)
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
The Late Kingdom
752-343 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)
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Ptolemaic Period
Egypt conquered by
332-30
BCE
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
Architecture of Ptolemy
Decadent Period and Beyond
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Roman Rule 146 BCE to 429 CE
Vandals 429 – 435 CE
Byzantine 435-642 CE
Persians
Muslims
Ottomans
French
Ottomans again
British
Egyptian Independence Feb 22, 1922 C.E
Recap
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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)
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,
http://www.aldokkan.com/egypt/egypt.html