The Decline of the Egyptian Empire I can understand the reasons that led to the ancient Egyptian Empire’s downfall.

Egypt was never quite the same after Ramses II died Egypt was never quite the same after Ramses II died. Gradually, the central government weakened. After about 1070 B.C., a series of foreign powers ruled Egypt.

The Persian Empire At that time in history, the Persian Empire was the largest the world had ever seen. After laying siege to the Egyptian city of Memphis they soon conquered ancient Egypt in 525 B.C. The Persian Empire would go on to have total control of Egypt for another 194 years.

Alexander the Great Alexander the Great was the king of Macedonia. Alexander had a vision for his life in that he wanted to conquer the world. One of his first great challenges was to defeat his father’s long time nemesis, King Darius III, of the Persian Empire. During his quest to defeat the mighty Persian army, Alexander sent his military forces into Persian occupied Egypt. He needed a coastal land to set up a strong military launching point.

The Persian Empire had been very disrespectful towards the Egyptian customs. They were overjoyed to have Alexander arrive in Egypt, and hailed him as a savior and a hero. Alexander the Great was offered the double crown of Egypt and declared their new Pharaoh.

Alexander spent months in Egypt, learning the customs and traditions Alexander spent months in Egypt, learning the customs and traditions. He felt as though Egypt changed him for the better. While he was there, he established the Egyptian city of Alexandria. In 331 B.C., Alexander finally defeated the Persian Empire. In defeating them, Alexander the Great claimed ALL their lands. Alexander now controlled much of the known world, including Egypt. Sometimes it is because of events that happen thousands of miles away that alter the history of a certain place. The Battle of Gaugamela was the decisive battle in Alexander the Great’s defeat of the Persian Empire. http://safeshare.tv/w/NOKEExAUoc

Cleopatra VII After the death of Alexander the Great, Macedonians continued to rule Egypt. Rulers still took the title as pharaoh. The last of the Egyptian pharaohs was Cleopatra VII. Although she was the 7th Cleopatra to rule Egypt, when historians refer to the name Cleopatra, it is her they are referring to. Because she was a pharaoh of a Greek dynasty that ruled Egypt, she refused to speak Egyptian, but did learn the language none the less. At the time of her reign as pharaoh of Egypt, a new super power was taking a grip on control of the Western world. This new empire would ultimately become the most powerful the world had ever seen, whose influence stretched from the British Isles, east to Asia. Cleopatra would do whatever she could to keep Egypt out of their hands.

The Roman Empire Cleopatra attempted to align with different sides during a Roman Civil War. That war would determine the future of the Roman Empire. We will read more about that later in the year. In an attempt to save Egypt., Cleopatra created an alliance with a Roman general named Marc Antony. Together, they lead a force to fight another Roman force at the Battle of Actium.

The forces of Cleopatra and Marc Antony lost the Battle of Actium The forces of Cleopatra and Marc Antony lost the Battle of Actium. Rather than watch Egypt be taken over and ruled by the Romans, Cleopatra committed suicide in 30 B.C. Most historians believe she allowed a cobra to bite her, causing her death. With Egypt being under Roman rule, a new religion, Christianity, soon began to spread throughout the world, including Egypt. Soon most of the old customs and traditions that the ancient Egyptians once followed would soon be replaced. One of the world’s first great empires was no more.