WORLD HISTORY 8 UNIT 2, CH 4.3 The Middle and New Kingdoms PP. 100-104
THE MIDDLE KINGDOM pp. 100-101
1. WHY DID THE WEALTH AND POWER OF THE PHARAOHS DECLINE AT THE END OF THE OLD KINGDOM?
The wealth and power of the Pharaohs began to decline due to the cost of building and maintaining pyramids. Pharaohs could not collect enough taxes to keep up with expenses, and nobles began using their positions to take power form the pharaohs.
2. FOR HOW LONG AFTER THE FALL OF THE OLD KINGDOM WOULD NOBLES BATTLE EACH OTHER FOR POWER?
For nearly 160 years, local nobles battled each other for power in Egypt. The kingdom had no central ruler. Chaos disrupted trade, and caused farming to decline.
3, WHO ENDED THE PERIOD OF CHAOS BY DEFEATING HIS RIVALS AND REUNITING EGYPT? WHAT PERIOD OF HISTORY DID THIS BEGIN?
This period of chaos would end around 2050 B.C., when the pharaoh Mentuhotep II defeated his rivals.
4. APPROXIMATELY HOW LONG WOULD THE MIDDLE KINGDOM LAST?
This began the Middle Kingdom, which would last until approximately 1750 B.C., and largely featured order and stability.
5. WHO INVADED EGYPT TOWARDS THE END OF THE IDDLE KINGDOM, CAUSING THIS ERA TO END?
At the end of the Middle Kingdom, Egypt experienced internal disorder. In addition, a group from Southwest Asia called the Hyksos invaded in the mid 1700s.
6. HOW WAS THIS GROUP ABLE TO DEFEAT THE EGYPTIANS? WHEN WOULD THE EGYPTIANS TAKE THEIR LAND BACK? WHO WAS THE PHARAOH THAT DROVE THIS GROUP OUT?
The Hyksos were skilled horsemen, and using these, along with chariots and advanced weaponry, they defeated the Egyptians, ruling for nearly 200 years.
Eventually, the Egyptians fought back, taking their land back in the mid 1500 s. These was accomplished by Ahmose of Thebes, who named himself king upon driving the Hyksos out of Egypt.
THE NEW KINGDOM pp. 101-102
7. WHICH DYNASTY S RULE MARKED THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW KINGDOM? ABOUT HOW LONG WOULD THIS PERIOD LAST?
Ahomse s reign began the 18th Dynasty, marking the start of the New Kingdom. This era would last from approximately 1550 B.C. to roughly 1050 B.C.
8. HOW DID EGYPT S RULERS INADVERTENTLY TURN EGYPT INTO AN EMPIRE?
Egyptian leaders looked to protect Egypt from future invasion. Therefor, they decided to take control over as much land on as many routes of invasion as possible. In the process, they turned Egypt into an empire.
9. LIST ALL OF THE LANDS TAKEN OVER BY EGYPT, EN ROUTE TO BECOMING A MAJOR EMPIRE.
*The Homeland of the Hyksos *Syria *Entire Eastern Shore of the Mediterranean *Kush
10. HOW DID EMPIRE BUILDING MAKE THE EGYPTIANS WEALTHY?
Egypt became wealthy largely thanks to the treasures the lands conquered by Egypt sent them. For example, Kush sent Egypt leopard skins, and precious stones. Gifts were also received from the kings of Babylon, Assyria, and the Hittites.
11. OVERTIME, HOW DID EGYPT GROW DUE TO TRADE?
Egypt was able to expand along trade routes that its traders discovered as Egypt grew its empire. The more lands traders came in contact with, the more room Egypt had to expand.
12. WHAT WAS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF QUEEN HATSHEPSUT? HOW DID SHE GAIN POWER? WHAT DID SHE WEAR TO REPRESENT THIS POWER?
Hatshepsut would be the first woman to rule Egypt by herself. She gained this opportunity when her husband, Thutmose II died young, leaving the throne to his young son Thutmose III.
Thutmose III, however, was too young to rule, leaving Hatshepsut to rule until he was old enough to do so. She wore a beard on her face to symbolize the fact that she had the same authority as any male pharaoh would have.
While she was in power, Hatshepsut focused on trade and the expansion of Egypt s art and architecture.
Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut
13. WHO WOULD THE ARMIES OF RAMSES II FIGHT WITH BEFORE EVENTUALLY BECOMING ALLIES?
Invasion would once again threaten Egypt during the reign of Ramses II. His armies would fight the Hittites from Asia Minor, with neither side ever being able to solidly defeat the other.
Ramses II and the leader of the Hittites would eventually agree to a peace treaty, leading the two groups to become allies after once being bitter enemies.
4. WHAT OTHER GROUPS WOULD THE EGYPTIANS HAVE TO FEND OFF FROM INVASION? WHAT WOULD EGYPT LOSE THANKS TO THESE EFFORTS?
Overtime, others would attempt to invade and take over Egypt, and each time Egypt fought these attempts off. Other invaders include: *Tehenu *the Sea People
15. OUTSIDE OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND PRIESTS, WHO WERE THE NEXT MOST HONORED MEMBERS OF EGYPTIAN SOCIETY? WHAT WAS THE JOB OF THESE PEOPLE?
Outside of royals and priests, the most revered people in Egyptian society were scribes. They worked for the both the government and for temples. They kept records and accounts for the state, wrote and copied religious and literary texts, and because of their importance, were exempt from paying taxes, making them very wealthy.
16. WHAT WAS THE JOB OF EGYPTIAN ARTISANS?
Artisans included sculptors, builders, carpenters, jewelers, metal workers, and leather workers. Most of them worked for the gov t or a temple, making statues, furniture, jewelry, pottery, footwear, and other items.
Architects and artists were also admired with this group. Architects would design temples and royal tombs, items that Egypt has gained fame for. Many artists were commissioned to paint detailed paintings inside the tombs of pharaohs.
17. WHAT TYPE OF ARTIST COULD RISE TO THE RANKS OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS?
Architects who held enough talent could eventually rise up through the ranks into government.
18. HOW DID EGYPT PAY IT S MILITARY SOLDIERS FOLLOWING THE MIDDLE KINGDOM?
Created after the Middle Kingdom, Egypt had a large, professional army. Military officers could rise in social status, and soldiers received land as payment for service along with the right to keep any treasures captured in war.
19. ONCE HARVESTED, WHAT WERE ALL FARMERS REQUIRED TO DO WITH A PORTION OF THEIR CROPS? WHY? WHAT POWER DID THE PHARAOH HAVE OVER FARMERS?
Farmers were required to give a portion of their crops to the pharaoh as taxes. They were also subject to any special duty that the pharaoh called them to at any given time. This could include mining gold, building pyramids, fighting wars, etc.
0. WHAT WAS DIFFERENT ABOUT EGYPTIAN SLAVES COMPARED TO OTHER SLAVES YOU MAY KNOW OF?
Egyptian slaves were different than many other slaves, in that did have some legal rights, and in some cases could earn their freedom.
21. WHAT TRADITION DID EGYPTIAN FAMILIES HOLD ABOUT MARRIAGE THAT IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN TODAY S SOCIETY?
In Ancient Egyptian society, men were expected to marry young so they could start having children, and most were eager to do so.
22. HOW DID WOMEN IN EGYPTIAN SOCIETY DIFFER FROM WOMEN IN OTHER ANCIENT SOCIETIES? EXPLAIN SOME OF THESE.
While the role of women in Ancient Egypt was very similar to the role of women in other ancient societies, Egyptian women did have some differences.
Some women had jobs outside of the home typically as priestesses, administrators and artisans. They also had certain legal rights. They could own property, make contracts, and obtain divorces if need be.
23. WHAT DID EGYPTIAN CHILDREN LEARN IN SCHOOL? AT WHAT AGE WOULD THE BOYS ENTER THE WORKFORCE? HOW WAS THEIR JOBS DECIDED?
Boys and girls both received an education in Ancient Egypt. They learned morals, writing, math, and sports. At age 14, most boys left school to begin working in their father s profession.