The Land of the Pharaohs

Chapter 4

The Dynasties

Pre-Dynastic Egypt

Egypt was divided into upper and lower until 3100BCE

King Menes unites all of Egypt under one crown and rules from Memphis

Builds the temple of PtahPtah

Hieroglyphics and irrigation are developed at this time in Egypt.

The Old Kingdom

King Djoser establishes strong central rule

He Builds the Step Pyramid of Saqqara (60m)

This symbolizes the power and hold Djoser would have over his people

The Pyramid Builders3rd to 6th dynasties the pharaoh’s were seen as living gods.4th Dynasty the Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops), his son Chephren and brother Mycernius build the Great Pyramids of Giza.These pharaohs divided their Kingdom into provinces making it easier to controlThe potters wheel is introduced from Mesopotamia and trade expands to Syria and Crete.

The Fall of the Old Kingdom

A series of Famines and weak flood cripple Egypt during the 5th and 6th dynasties.Pepi II is the last to rule (94 years). Egypt would have a succession of weak kings and would fall into civil war and division once again. This is known as the first Intermediate period and would last for 100 years.

The Middle Kingdom2040 BCE Egypt is united again under Mentuhotep of the 11th Dynasty from Thebes.Nobles were very powerful b/c they controlled the armies.After the assassination of Amenehat I pharaohs began to build their own armies and body guards.13th Dynasty witnessed the short reign of numerous pharaohs. Foreigners who moved into the Nile Delta took over. They were known as the Hyskos.

Hyskos

They came from Syria and Palestine.

They introduce technologies such as the horse drawn chariot, the scimitar, and the compound bow, copper arrowheads and daggers.

The Hyskos are eventually overthrown with the same technology they introduced.

The New Kingdom1550 bce saw the age of conquering pharaohs.Thotmoses I, and III would conquer Mesopotamia and Nubia.Hatshesput would disguise herself as a man and reign as pharaoh for 22 years. She would build the temple Dier El-BahriAmenhotep IV would change the Egyptian religion to a monotheistic religion called the Amarana Revolution. They could only worship the Sun god Aton.Horemheb would reverse what Akenaton did and try to erase any evidence of his reign as king. Including hiding the Tomb of his son, King TUT.

Thutmose I and Thutmose III

Temples of Ramses

Dier El-Bahri

Amenhotep IV

King Tut’s Treasure

Decline of the New KingdomAmenhotep IV was so preoccupied with his religious changes that he never saw the Hittites moving in on him.Ramses II would spend his days fighting the Hittites. His kingdom came crashing to an end when Egypt was hit with hard times and the Jews were free to leave.728 bce Piy from Nubia conquers Egypt. After his reign Ashurbanipal and the Assyrians take over until the Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great takes over.

The Greek Period332bce to 31bceIt begins with the domination of Alexander the Great. He builds the great city and library of Alexandria.Ptolemy, who was a general in Alexander's army, was given control of Egypt.Cleopatra VII would be a direct descendent of himThe Greek language and culture would dominate Egypt.

Alexander the Great

Cleopatra VI

The Roman Period31bce Cleopatra and Mark Antony are defeated by Octavius Caesar (Augustus).Egypt becomes a province of Rome ruled by a Prefect.Romans introduce iron tools, Roman law, and oxen drawn water wheels and threshing machines.The Roman period would end with the coming of the Muslims in the 7th century CE. Egypt remains a Muslim country today.