History and Government Ancient Egypt History and Government

Unification Early Egypt was divided into two kingdoms Upper Egypt Lower Egypt Egypt was united in 3100 BCE by Menes Made Memphis the capital Established the first dynasty

Ancient Egyptian History Periods Time Frame Nile Culture Begins 3900 B. C. E. Archaic 3100 – 2650 B. C. E. Old Kingdom 2650 – 2134 B. C. E. Middle Kingdom 2040 – 1640 B. C. E. New Kingdom 1550 – 1070 B. C. E. Late Period 750 – 332 B. C. E. Greek Ptolemaic Era 332 – 30 B. C. E. Roman Period 30 B. C. E. – 395 C. E.

Old Kingdom The Old Kingdom Begins 2650 BCE Time of Growth and Prosperity Pyramids constructed Pharaohs with absolute power establish strong governments

Middle Kingdom Difficult and turbulent time Pharaohs began to lose power to local nobles Invasions, famines, civil wars Built fortress up and down the Nile Traded with Greeks, Phoenicians, and others around the Mediterranean Conquered by the Hyksos in 1650 BCE

The New Kingdom Hyksos defeated Egyptians realized they needed a strong army Took lands around them to serve as a buffer from invasion

The Pharaoh The King Had absolute power Pharaohs established dynasties Was believed to be a god in human form Had to perform religious rituals along with priests to ensure positive outcomes in daily life Gov’t in Egypt was a theocracy: a state ruled by religious figures Flashback: Were Sumerian rulers seen As Gods? No, their power came from the gods

Egyptian Social Classes

Egyptian Social Classes Class system was hierarchal People with most power at the top Least power on the bottom Flashback: Was the social structure in Mesopotamian civilizations such as Sumer organized in a similar manner ? Yes

Pyramids Tombs built for Egyptian rulers

Plan of the Great Pyramid of Khufu