The Rulers of EgyptThe Rulers of Egypt

Coach ParrishCoach Parrish

OMSOMS

Chapter 3, Section 2Chapter 3, Section 2

A Leader EmergesA Leader Emerges

►Hatshepsut was one of a few women Hatshepsut was one of a few women (seven total) who eventually took the (seven total) who eventually took the position of position of PharaohPharaoh – title used by the – title used by the rulers of Egypt.rulers of Egypt.

►Like all Egyptian pharaohs, Hatshepsut Like all Egyptian pharaohs, Hatshepsut controlled Egypt’s large wealth and controlled Egypt’s large wealth and power.power.

From Dynasty to DynastyFrom Dynasty to Dynasty

► The history of ancient Egypt is categorized by its The history of ancient Egypt is categorized by its dynasties. A dynasties. A dynastydynasty – is a series of rulers from the – is a series of rulers from the same family or ethnic group.same family or ethnic group.

► Egypt had 31 dynasties from 3100 BC until it was Egypt had 31 dynasties from 3100 BC until it was conquered in 332 BC by Alexander the Great.conquered in 332 BC by Alexander the Great.

► Historians group Egypt’s dynasties into 3 major Historians group Egypt’s dynasties into 3 major time periods. time periods.

1.1. Old Kingdom Old Kingdom

2.2. Middle Kingdom Middle Kingdom

3.3. New KingdomNew Kingdom

Egypt is UnifiedEgypt is Unified

►According to legend, Egypt’s first According to legend, Egypt’s first dynasty began when a king named dynasty began when a king named Menes united Upper and Lower Egypt. Menes united Upper and Lower Egypt.

►Menes built the city of Memphis near Menes built the city of Memphis near present day Cairo to rule from. After present day Cairo to rule from. After unification, Egypt became one of the unification, Egypt became one of the most stable civilizations in history. most stable civilizations in history.

All-Powerful PharaohsAll-Powerful Pharaohs

► A pharaoh had A pharaoh had absolute powerabsolute power – complete – complete control over their people. Whatever the control over their people. Whatever the pharaoh decided became law.pharaoh decided became law.

► The Egyptian people thought that their The Egyptian people thought that their pharaohs were the earthly form of Horus, pharaohs were the earthly form of Horus, the falcon god. Over time, the pharaohs the falcon god. Over time, the pharaohs were also connected to the sun god Re.were also connected to the sun god Re.

►Note: It was the pharaoh, Egyptians Note: It was the pharaoh, Egyptians thought, who provided the yearly floods and thought, who provided the yearly floods and the harvest.the harvest.

The Old KingdomThe Old Kingdom

►The Old Kingdom pharaohs kept peace The Old Kingdom pharaohs kept peace and traded with Nubia with a few and traded with Nubia with a few conflicts. Timber was harvested and conflicts. Timber was harvested and used for building various things. used for building various things.

►The end of the Old Kingdom began The end of the Old Kingdom began when governors of the provinces when governors of the provinces challenged the power of pharaoh. challenged the power of pharaoh. Egypt’s unity crumbled, and the Egypt’s unity crumbled, and the dynasties grew weak.dynasties grew weak.

The Middle KingdomThe Middle Kingdom

►The early rulers of the MK restored The early rulers of the MK restored order and reunited Egypt. The order and reunited Egypt. The pharaohs of the MK spent money on pharaohs of the MK spent money on public works projects such as building public works projects such as building construction and irrigation.construction and irrigation.

►Middle Kingdom dynasties faded out Middle Kingdom dynasties faded out because of foreign invaders.because of foreign invaders.

The New KingdomThe New Kingdom

►Egyptian princes became strong Egyptian princes became strong enough to drive out invaders which enough to drive out invaders which signaled the start of the New Kingdom signaled the start of the New Kingdom in 1567 BC. The pharaohs wanted to in 1567 BC. The pharaohs wanted to build an empire and began to recruit build an empire and began to recruit soldiers.soldiers.

►Created warriors and charioteers with Created warriors and charioteers with bronze swords and body armor. The bronze swords and body armor. The bronze was nearly unstoppable.bronze was nearly unstoppable.

Rule During the New Rule During the New KingdomKingdom

► In 1479 BC, a child named Thutmose In 1479 BC, a child named Thutmose III began his reign. His stepmother III began his reign. His stepmother was appointed was appointed regentregent – someone who – someone who rules for a child until the child is old rules for a child until the child is old enough to rule.enough to rule.

►Not wanting to be regent, Hatshepsut Not wanting to be regent, Hatshepsut had herself named pharaoh and ruled had herself named pharaoh and ruled for 15 years.for 15 years.

Hatshepsut’s TempleHatshepsut’s Temple

Pharaoh QueenPharaoh Queen

►When Thutmose III was old enough to When Thutmose III was old enough to rule, Hatshespsut refused to give up rule, Hatshespsut refused to give up the throne. After her death (cough, the throne. After her death (cough, cough), Thutmose III became pharaoh cough), Thutmose III became pharaoh and destroyed all her statues.and destroyed all her statues.

Ancient Egypt after New Ancient Egypt after New KingdomKingdom

►Toward the end of the New Kingdom, Toward the end of the New Kingdom, Egypt declined. Civil war left Egypt weak Egypt declined. Civil war left Egypt weak and poorly defended. In 332 BC, Egypt and poorly defended. In 332 BC, Egypt fell to Alexander the Great of Macedonia. fell to Alexander the Great of Macedonia.

►The Macedonians ruled Egypt for the The Macedonians ruled Egypt for the next 300 years.next 300 years.

► In 51 BC, Queen Cleopatra became the In 51 BC, Queen Cleopatra became the last Macedonian to rule Egypt until it last Macedonian to rule Egypt until it finally fell to the Romans. Fearing finally fell to the Romans. Fearing humiliation, she committed suicide in 30 humiliation, she committed suicide in 30 BC.BC.

Alexander III – “The Great”Alexander III – “The Great”