1. Egypt’s Powerful Kings & Queens

2. A series of rulers from the same family!!
What is a dynasty?
A series of rulers from the same family!!

3. Government in Egypt revolved heavily around a single figure – the Pharaoh!
People believed him to be a living god.
This status basically granted the pharaoh virtually absolute (limitless) power and control over his subjects.

4. Political/Religious leader Owned all the land in Egypt Made the laws
Collected the taxes 
Led into war if attacked or to expand power
High Priest of Every Temple
Represented the Gods on earth
Performed rituals and built temples
In a nutshell, EVERYTHING belonged to the pharaoh!!

5. This style of government is known as a theocracy - government that claims to rule on behalf of god(s).

6. FACTS….
Egypt had 31 dynasties until it was conquered by Alexander the Great (Greece) in 332 B.C.
Historians group Egypt into three main time periods, called kingdoms:
Old Kingdom
Middle Kingdom
New Kingdom

7. grew and prospered during the first six dynasties
The gaps between the kingdoms were times of troubles- war, invasion, weak rulers.
Two Thousand Years of Power
Old
Kingdom
( BC)
Middle Kingdom
( BC)
New
( BC)
grew and prospered during the first six dynasties
pharaohs spent a great deal of money on irrigation projects and building canals.
created huge armies of foot soldiers, mounted warriors, and war chariots

8. King Menes was the 1st pharaoh & dynasty of ancient Egypt.
He’s credited for uniting Upper & Lower Egypt.
Menes is shown as wearing the double crown from both kingdoms.

9. This uniting of Egypt began one of the most stable civilizations in history. It lasted more than 2,500 years!

10. Queen Hatshepsut became 1st Queen of Egypt.
Not content to be regent (ruling for Thutmose III until he was of age), she proclaimed herself pharaoh.
She ruled for 22 years. Her rule was good for Egypt.
Hatshepsut dressed as a man to gain the respect of her people. Historians say she later died from bone cancer.

11. Infamous Pharaohs King Tut (Tutankhamen) reigned from age of 9-18
His tomb and remains have become a fascination to many people. (His tomb was undisturbed by tomb raiders!)
Cleopatra
ruled Egypt from B.C.
She wanted to rule the Roman Empire as well- and almost succeeded!

12. Egypt eventually was conquered and later became part of the Greek and Roman Empires.

13. Series of rulers from same family
pharaoh
Living god
Absolute power
Theocracy 31
Alexander the Great
Old Middle New
War, invasions, weak rulers
Grew & prospered
Irrigation &
building canals
Huge armies
1st pharaoh & dynasty
united
double
1st Female Queen (Ruler)
regent
pharaoh
good
Ruled age 9-18; only tomb left undisturbed
Ruled BC; wanted Roman empire too!
Conquered Greek Roman