Chapter 8: The Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs

Introduction

• Rulers of Egypt were called Pharaohs• 1922 King Tut’s tomb was found. Within it was

many treasures with his mummy (preserved body): golden coffin, golden mask, jewelry, etc- all artifacts to tell us about the past

• Three important time periods:• Old Kingdom• Middle Kingdom• New Kingdom

Ancient Egypt and Its Rulers

• Ancient Egypt had three long stable periods- Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms

• Old Kingdom (2700-2200 B.C.E) aka Age of the Pyramids

• Build pyramids (tombs for pharaohs)& set up strong central governments

• Middle Kingdom (2000-1800 B.C.E) aka Period of Reunification

• Achievements in art, architecture, & literature

8.2 Continued

• New Kingdom (1600-1100 B.C.E) aka Egypt’s Golden Age

• Peace and stability, built great monuments and increased trade

• Religion very important- Pharaohs were believed to be gods- Kings, religious leaders, and army generals all at the same time

• Believed to enter an everlasting afterlife upon death

Pharaoh Khufu: The Pyramid Builder

• Ruled 2551- 2528 B.C.E during the Old Kingdom• Known as famous pyramid builder• Some people say he was cruel & harsh, others say

he was powerful & kind• Established central authority of Pharaohs- examples:

strict food supply, control over govt. officials• Declared himself a “God”• Build many pyramids as tombs• Responsible for building the Great Pyramid of Giza-

one of the ancient wonders (No one knows how it was built- took 20 years)

Pharaoh Senuset I: Patron of the Arts

• Ruled from 1971- 1926 B.C.E. during the Middle Kingdom

• Stable, unified Egypt- accomplishments in art, literature, and architecture during his reign

• Craftspeople thrived in making jewelry from various metals and gemstones

• Controlled mines of gold, copper, and gem• Greatest literature- “The Story of Sinuhe”• Greatest architecture- “The White Chapel”• Wanted to be remembered through his

monuments

The Ankh

• Symbolizes immortality, or eternal life

Pharaoh Hatshepsut: Promoter of Egyptian Trade

• Ruled from 1473-1458 B.C.E• First female pharaoh- art & architecture flourished,

encouraged trade along the Nile into the Middle East• Greatest trade mission was to the African Kingdom of

Punt• Gained and kept power by having loyal advisors,

demanded respect• Sometimes represented herself as a male and spread

stories her father was a god• Stunning monument of her reign- great temple at Dayr

al-Bahri, temble flanked by obelisks, and the entrance lined with 2000 sphinx statues

Pharaoh Ramses II: Military Leader and Master Builder

• Ruled from 1290-1224 B.C.E. during the New Kingdom• Known as Ramses the Great- one of the most famous

pharaohs, ruled for over 60 years• Military leadership and numerous monuments• Over 100 wives and more than 100 children• Build hundreds of statues of himself, some more than 60

feet tall• Fearless solider, led as a captain at the age of 10• Famous campaigns against the Hittites• Was a peacemaker- signed first peace treaty with the

Hittites

8.6 Continued

• Temple Complex of Abu Simbel was most impressive project- four giant statues of Ramses framed the entrance (some of the finest examples of Egyptian art)

• Inside the temple were 3 large rooms, called Halls, alter contained statues of Ramses and Gods

• Built so once a year beams of sunlight would shine and light up the halls and statues

• Built more temples and monuments than any other pharaoh in history

• He is one of the best preserved mummies ever found