Ancient Egypt: The Rule of The God King

The Middle Kingdom: 2060-1785 B.C.

The New Kingdom:1570-1085 B.C.

The Middle Kingdom: 2060- 1785 B.C.

Amenemhat I of Thebes (1991-1962 B.C.) introduced prosperity again to Egypt by conquering Nubia

Nubia introduced black goods and culture from sub-Africa

Under Amenemhat I irrigation was pursued and he was the first pharaoh to pursue established trade with other countries

The Middle Kingdom: 2060- 1785 B.C.

Hyksos concqueroed Egypt in 1650 B.C. and introduced the chariot, bronze weapons and body amour

Adopt weapons and strategy of conquering others from past experiences

Pharaoh's will now seek to build own empires

Empire are lands conquered and brought together under one government

The New Kingdom:1570-1085 B.C.

Egyptian empire expands further into Nile Valley, Syria, Libya, Palestine and Lebanon

Conquered areas introduce slaves who bring their culture to the Egyptians

Not all pharaohs want expanding empires but a return to the Old Kingdom

The New Kingdom:1570-1085 B.C.

Hatshepsut (1504-1482 B.C.) female pharaoh who introduced a period of peace and commissioned some of the finest monuments of Egyptian architecture.

To gain acceptance from her followers she had all statues portray her as a man and she strengthened the army

Assassinated by her nephew Thutmose III who expands the empire

The New Kingdom:1570-1085 B.C.

Amenhotep IV (1377-1360) pushed for the worship of a single god called Aten, the sun disk, the people rejected his ideas and abandoned them soon after his death.

Monotheism, the worship of one god

Introduced naturalism art style which introduced natural look to artwork

His wife Nefertriti is believed to have shared in vision and in rule

The New Kingdom:1570-1085 B.C.

He became spiritual leader or “spiritual link to Aten” as opposed to powerful priests

During rule Akhenaten concentrated on building a city that was Akhetaten

He moved the capital Thebes to Akhetaten which weakened priests hold

The Twilight of Egyptian Empire :1360-1000 B.C.

Tutankhamun, (1333-1323) reign began when he was 9

Under his rule Amenhotep’s changes were reversed Priest regain power Capital moved back to

Thebes Return to worship of old

gods

The Twilight of Egyptian Empire :1360-1000 B.C.

Ramses II (1279-1213 B.C.) strongly reinforced a return to the old gods of Egypt

Expanded the empire of Egypt out of the Nile Valley up to the frontier of Syria

Fought the Hittites to a draw at the Battle of Kadesh (1273 B.C.)

The Twilight of Egyptian Empire :1360-1000 B.C.

Kadesh was a massive battle of men and over 5,000 war chariots

Ramses II almost lost the Egyptian army by dividing forces to meet an unknown force

He signed the first recognized peace treaty in history between the another nation (Hittites)

The Twilight of Egyptian Empire :1360-1000 B.C.

Majority of wounds were smashed heads

Understood fever,checked pulse rate, use casts and skull wounds

Replaced fractured skull pieces, applied disinfectant made of wine and rose oil with bandages

Majority of experience came from head wounds

The Twilight of Egyptian Empire :1360-1000 B.C.

After Ramses II the following pharaohs could not protect the kingdom

Nubians, Libyans and Persians would eventually conqueror the jewel of the Nile

It will be another 1,000 years till Egypt rises to the forefront of power in the ancient world