ANCIENT EGYPT

OLD KINGDOM
Pyramid Age
Strong pharaohs
Established an efficient central governance
Justice and order
Vizier: Ptah-hotep
DECLINE
a. Power Struggle
- Kings marriage to a foreign wife
Kingship was brought
-Failed to maintain military control over
territories i.e Nubia
-Egypts trade routes were demolished by war
b. Draining of Funds
- loss of tax revenues from the peasants and
slaves
c. Crop Failure
Climate change in the Nile valley
RULERS:
1. Menes- unified Upper and Lower Egypt,
established Memphis as its capital
2. Djoser- step pyramid
3. Snefru, Khufu and Khafre- true pyramid
Pyramid of Giza
4. Djedefre- sun cult
5. Unas- Pyramid Texts
6. Pepi II- marked the end of the dynastic line
After Pepis death, the government lose its
power
The governors ruled during this time of
provincial assertion and chaotic social upheaval
of the civil war.
As the power of the pharaoh decreases, the
power of the government officials increases

MIDDLE KINGDOM
Turbulent Kingdom
Weak and corrupt leaders
Rebellions were very rampant
Nile did not rise regularly
Culture and trade flourished
Power of nobles and priests grew again,
weakened pharaohs power
DECLINE:
Invaded by the HYKSOS
From Asia
More advanced tools and weapons such as
horse drawn chariots, bronze swords and
daggers
Established a ruling dynasty
RULERS:
1. Nebhepetra Mentuhotep- established Thebes
as its capital
2. Amenemhet I- moved the capital back to
Memphis
3. Sesostris- undertook campaigns in Nubia
which led to its conquest
4. Queen Sobeknefru- marked the end of the
dynastic line
Egyptians learned to use the Hyksos weapons
and regained their independence and put up a
new government. New Kingdom

NEW KINGDOM
Empire Age
Aggressive pharaohs built an emp
Pharaohs demanded that the
conquered people of the empire
should pay tribute
TRIBUTE- a gift (slaves, food
products and treasures such as go
jewels and ivory) given to the
pharaohs to recognized their
supremacy as their ruler
DECLINE:
Invaded by Libya, Assyria, Persia,
Rome
RULERS:
1. Thutmose II- conquered Palestin
and Syria
2. Thutmose III- conquered
Mesopotamia and some parts in
Africa
3. Hatshepsut- wife of Thutmose
She seized power and ruled for mo
than 20 years
She did not seek military victories
but built temples and sent large
trading expeditions to other lands
4. Amenhotep IV
Tried to reduce the power of the
priests in Egyptian government
He sought to change the polytheis
to monotheistic belief, Aton (minor
Sun GOD)
He changed his name to Akhenato
which means It is well with Aton
5. Tutankhamen- monuments of At
were destroyed and the new religi
died
6. Rameses II

one of the most effective leaders o

New Kingdom
Established peace treaty with the
Hittites
He married the daughter of the
Hittite King