1. Egypt
Middle and New Kingdom

2. Middle kingdom
Around 2050 BC a new dynasty from the south restored order in the south establishing the Middle Kingdom.
During this time Pharaohs established an interest in the common people of Egypt.
Common people were able to go through the mummification process therefore accessing the same afterlife that was only a noble privilege.

3. Major projects
The pharaohs took on the task of draining the Nile Delta and creating thousands of acres of new farm land.
They built a canal that connected the nile to the Read Sea making trade and transportation more beneficial for Egyptian civilization.
They built temples at Luxar and Karnak near the new capital city of Thebes.

4. Contact with other civilizations
During the Middle Kingdom Egypt expanded its borders and increased contact with others civilizations.
Pharaohs sent trade expeditions to Kush, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Crete.
This contact many benefits to Egyptian culture…The Tail of Sinuhe was a story of Egyptian travel. (Sinbad the Sailor)

5. The Hykos
From western Asia the Hykos streamed across the Sinai Peninsula into northern Egypt.
Because the chaos of a series of weak Pharaohs the Egyptians were unable to repel the Hykos and they were able to conquer Egypt using horses and chariots.
For 200 years the Hykos ruled Egypt teaching Egyptians military tactics and the use of hor4ses and chariots.
By 1570 nobles were able to expel the Hykos and establish a new dynasty.

6. The New Kingdom Egypt flourished
Kingdom stretched from Kush to the Euphrates river
This period territorial gain and the looting of riches was called the Empire age
During this period the first female ruler Hatshepsut
For 22 years she controlled an area that was rich with an extensive trade route

7. Thutmose III Son of Hatshepsut
Military conquest that increased the empire to it’s greatest size
Conquered Palestine and Syria
Recorded military conquest on walls of stone temples
He had a superior navy that conquered many territories along the Meditarrian

8. Amenhotep
Monotheistic theory of religion, wanted to have Egyptians only one god Aton
Once he convinced priests to remove symbols of all other gods from temples
Changes his name to Akenaton
Creates serious division in Egypt
Dies in 1361 BC
Power goes to his 8 year old son-in-law

9. Tutahkhamon Boy ruler Drops Aton’s name for Amon
Returns Egypt to traditional religious practices
Dies at a early age
Is succeeded by Rames II

10. Rames II Continues the conquest of lands and peoples 67 year reign
Revives empire by battling the Hittites of Asia Minor
So great are his victories he raises monuments in his honor

11. Decline of Egyptian rule
By 1090 BC there is eternal turmoil and civil wars that leave Egypt too weak to fight invaders
The Sea peoples from Aegean gain the Nile delta
Followed by the Persians and the Assyrians both groups conquer Egypt
In 331 BC Alexander the Great conquers the Nile lands
Queen Cleopatra was the last ruler who tried to return Egypt to greatness
In 31 BC the Romans defeated Cleopatra's forces and Egypt is absorbed by the Roman empire