Ancient Egypt during the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms Land of the Pharaohs Important rulers of Ancient Egypt during the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms

Pharaohs Pharaohs were the kings of Egypt Pharaoh was believed by the Egyptians to be the supreme ruler chosen by the gods to lead his people They believed that when a man became a pharaoh, he also became a god According to Egyptian legend, the first kings of Egypt were later some of the most famous gods

Pharaohs The word “Pharaoh” was used by the Greeks and Hebrews The title “Pharaoh” originated from the Greek language and it is used in the Old Testament The title originates in the term "pr-aa" which means "great house" and describes the royal palace

Responsibility of Pharaohs Pharaohs ruled with absolute power Despite absolute power the Pharaoh’s rule was subject to Ma’at and was expected to govern according its principles Ma’at was the goddess and symbol of the equilibrium of the universe Any King that attempted to radically change society would be seen as destroying the equilibrium that was so important to Egyptian tradition resulting in civil war or a challenge in his authority

Succession To keep the pure line of succession, a Pharaoh passed on the throne to the eldest son born of the Principal Queen, or Great Royal Wife Each king wanted to demonstrate to his subjects that he was the “chosen” heir The Pharaoh owned all of the land, people, and possessions in Egypt Any personal wealth enjoyed by Egyptians people was considered a result of the generosity of the King.

Key Pharaohs There were several Pharaohs of Egypt. However, we will focus on the following: Menes Khufu Hatshepsut Tutankhamen Ramses the Great Cleopatra

Menes (c. 3100 – 3050 B.C.E.) The first Pharaoh to unify upper and lower Egypt into one Kingdom and to wear the red crown of lower Egypt and the white crown of upper Egypt

Menes (Ruled 3100 – 2850 B.C.E.) Ancient Egypt’s form of a civilization began with King Menes Founded the city of Memphis because of its good location and easy to defend against attacks During his reign he expanded his kingdom and developed commercial trade links

Khufu (2589-2566 B.C.E) Most remembered for building the Great Pyramid of Giza Used skilled laborers and craftsman to build his pyramid The pyramid originally stood 481 feet tall and even today it remains a mystery

Ahmose (1570-1544 B.C.E.) During his reign, he completed the conquest and expulsion of the Hyksos from the delta region successfully reasserted Egyptian power in its formerly subject territories of Nubia and Canaan reopened quarries, mines and trade routes and began massive construction projects of a type that had not been undertaken since the time of the Middle Kingdom Responsible for the last pyramid built by native Egyptian rulers. Ahmose's reign laid the foundations for the New Kingdom, under which Egyptian power reached its peak. His reign is usually dated to the mid-16th century BC.

Hatshepsut (c. 1470 B.C.E) Remembered as history’s first great woman ruler Hatshepsut became regent when her husband Tuthmosis II died and the new pharaoh was very young (son of a minor wife) Several years later she declared herself “king” and began wearing the false beard and garments of a pharaoh Egypt prospered while she was in power as she established famous trade and economic expedition to the land of Punt Prolific builder and commissioned many architectural projects and the restoration of older temples

Tutankhamen (c. 1334 B.C.E.) Known as the Boy King of Egypt, he came to the throne when his father Akhenaton died, he became King around age eight Helped restore Egypt's old beliefs from when his father tried to make Egypt a monotheism society and moved the capital back to Thebes He died suddenly at the young age of 18 by a blow to the back of his head Since his tomb had not yet been made, he was laid in a tomb of a member of the nobility He is famous today because of his tomb being found intact by archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922

Ramses II (c. 1290 B.C.E.) Went to the throne at the age of 20 and reigned for 67 years; the second longest reign for any Egyptian King Considered to be the last great Egyptian King bringing Egypt peace and stability Signed earliest known peace treaty in world history after the Battle of Kadesh with the new Hittite king Ramses is remembered for constructing many architectural marvels including the two huge temples at Abu Simbel Constructed more colossal statues, large statues of human or human like figures, than any other Egyptian King Ruled during the time of Moses and used many Jewish slaves to build his monuments and statues

Cleopatra (c. 30 B.C.E.) Last independent ruler of Egypt Not of Egyptian lineage; descended from Ptolemy who was a general in Alexander the Great’s army (Greek Ptolemy family ruled Egypt for 300 years) She is best known for her beauty who enchanted Caesar and fell in love with Marc Antony Died with Marc Antony when Octavian forces invaded Egypt After her death, Egypt was ruled as a Roman province.

Discussion Questions In your opinion, was it right for the Pharaohs to rule with absolute power? Explain. Do you think Egypt would be so well known today if Pharaohs did not exist? In ancient Egypt all property belonged to the Pharaohs, would our society be successful if this was true today about the Prime Minister.