Chapter 2, Section 3 The Egyptian Empire

A new dynasty of pharaohs came to power, moved their capital to Thebes and restored order and stability. This brought about a new period called…. THE MIDDLE KINGDOM 2050 B.C. to 1670 B.C.

ACHIEVEMENTS DURING THE MIDDLE KINGDOM Egypt took control of new lands including Nubia and what is now Syria. Pharaohs added more waterways and dams which increased farming. Built a canal between the Nile River and Red Sea.

MORE MIDDLE KINGDOM ACHIEVEMENTS… Arts, literature and architecture blossomed. Instead of building pyramids, pharaohs had their tombs cut into cliffs west of the Nile River. This area became known as the Valley of the Kings.

End of Middle Kingdom Ended in 1670 B.C. when the Hyksos, from Western Asia attacked Egypt. Hyksos were mighty warriors who came in horse-drawn chariots and had weapons made of bronze and iron. Hyksos ruled Egypt for about 120 years.

THE NEW KINGDOM 1550 B.C. – 1080 B.C. An Egyptian prince named Ahmose led and uprising that drove the Hyksos out of Egypt and the New Kingdom began. Egypt became very rich and powerful during the New Kingdom.

Hatshepsut A queen who came to power in 1473 B.C. After her husbands death she made herself pharaoh. One of the few women to rule Egypt.

Hatshepsut’s Reign More interested in trade than conquest. Egyptians often traded with the Phoenicians. The Phoenicians had furniture and wood that the Egyptians needed. In return, Egyptians traded wheat, paper, gold, copper and tools.

Thutomose III When Hatshepsut died, her nephew Thutmose III became pharaoh. He expanded Eygpt’s borders, and his empire grew rich from trade. During his reign, Egypt enslaved many prisoners of war. Slavery became common during the New Kingdom.

Amenhotep Came to the throne in 1370 B.C. Introduced a new religion in an attempt to maintain power of the pharaohs. New religion directed Egyptians to worship only one god called Aton. Priests resisted this religion so Amenhotep took away their titles, closed their temples, etc.

Amenhotep Amenhotep then changed his name to Akhenaton, which means “Spirit of Aton” While Akhenaton became obssessed with this new religion, most Egyptians rejected it. Akhenaton was not a strong pharaoh and during his rule lost most of his lands in Western Asia to the Hittites, which greatly shrunk the Egyptian empire.

Tutankhamen After Akhenaton died, his son-in-law inherited the throne. Tutankhamen was only 10 years old when he became king. Under the advice of palace officials and priests King “Tut” restored Egypts old religion. He died after only 9 years of rule.

Tutankhamen’s Tomb King Tut, the boy king, played only a small part in Egypt’s history. He is very famous because his tomb was discovered by a British archaeologist, Howard Carter, in It was one tomb that had not yet been looted by robbers and contained the king’s mummy and incredible treasures.

What King Tut looked like based on 3-D X- rays scans of his corpse!!