Ancient Egypt the periods and the People Early Dynastic Period 3100 2649 BCE (Began c.5000 years ago) The Age of State Formation The Early Dynastic Period began after the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt by King Menes. It was during this period that the divine kingship became well established as Egypt's form of government, and with it, an entire culture that would remain virtually unchanged for the next 3000 or more years. Writing evolved from a few simple signs mainly used to denote quantities of substances and their provenance, to a complex system of several hundreds of signs with both phonetic and ideographic values. Notable people of the Early Dynastic Period King Menes (Narmer): c. 3100 3050 BCE Both Menes and Narmer are credited with uniting Upper and Lower Egypt and most Egyptologists agree that they are the same person. Menes was from Lower Egypt and conquered Upper Egypt to unite the two Egypts 1
The old Kingdom: 2649 2150 BCE (Began c. 4600 years ago) The Age of the Pyramids With the central government s power well established throughout the country, Egypt entered an era of peace and stability. This resulted in building projects of such impact that Ancient Egypt is still associated with one particular type of building: the pyramid. But the Old Kingdom is much more than pyramids. Building them was only possible through on efficient administration and technological advances. Arts peaked to a high and solar cult became the driving force behind religion. Notable people of the Old Kingdom Imhotep: 2667 2648 BCE A commoner by birth, Imhotep rose to become the most famous person (nonruler) in Ancient Egypt, perhaps the first recorded commoner in history. Has been called a genius by historians. The founder of the Egyptian system of medicine highly regarded for hundreds of years as the best of the ancient world. The Pharaoh s most trusted advisor and his principle architect designing the world s first stone building and the first (step) pyramid. (Side Note) He was the basis for the main antagonist in The Mummy 2
Khufu: 2609 2584 BCE Khufu (also know as Cheops) was the second pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty. Famous for building the Great Pyramid at Giza, one of the original Seven Wonders of the World. The sheer scale of this monument stands as testament to his skills in commanding the material and human resources of his country. It is now believed the pyramids were built using conscripted labour rather than slaves. The Westcar Papyrus describes Khufu as a traditional oriental monarch: good-natured, amiable to his inferiors and interested in the nature of human existence and magic. Khafra: 2558 2532 BCE The builder of Giza's second pyramid, Khafra is perhaps best known because his face was the model for that of the Great Sphinx, which guards his tomb site. One of the younger sons of the pharaoh Khufu, by his wife Henutsen, Khafra succeeded his halfbrother Djedefra (c.2566bc - c.2558 BC) to become fourth king of the Fourth Dynasty. Adopted the title 'Son of Ra' (sa Ra), which his half-brother had initiated to reflect the importance of the cult of the sun god Ra at this time. 3
The First Intermediary Period: 2150 2040 BCE (Began C. 4100 years ago) Decline and Civil war Egypt s first golden era came to an end when, towards the end of the 6 th Dynasty, the central government started losing control over the local administrations in the provinces. Several factors, including climatic changes had allowed local governors to strengthen their positions and rule their provinces as if they were kings themselves. During this time civil war would break out between two rival houses fighting for control over the entire country. The Middle Kingdom: 1991 1700 BCE (Began c. 4000 years ago) The Classical Era The reunification of Egypt by the Theban ruler Mentuhotep II ended the century of civil war that had followed the Old Kingdom. It also promoted Thebes from a simple provincial city to one of the country s most important religious and political centres. This was a time of restoration, when arts, crafts and Egypt s political power would flourish again to a new high. Later generations would consider this as Egypt s classical age. 4
The Second Intermediate Period: 1650 1550 BCE (Began c. 3600 years ago) The Age of the Hyksos The rise of a local dynasty of foreign origin, based in the Eastern Nile Delta, ended the peaceful era of the Middle Kingdom. Politically divided and weakened by famines and plagues, Egypt lay open for an invasion by an Asian people now known as the Hyksos. Within decades, the Hyksos seized control over the entire country When the local Theban princes stopped recognising the Hyksos as Egypt s legitimate rulers, the struggle for freedom would begin. Once the Hyksos had been pushed out of Egypt, Egyptians would have two powerful new weapon brought in by the Hyksos; the horse-drawn chariot and the composite bow. The New Kingdom: 1550 1070 BCE (Began c. 3500 years ago) The Golden Age/Age of Empire With the expulsion of the Hyksos by the Thebans, Egypt started an imperial adventure that would make it the most powerful nation of its time. Through a series of conquests the Egyptians gained control over Syria-Palestine and Nubia. Bounties and diplomatic gifts provided Egypt with a wealth that found its way to building projects of an unprecedented scale, honouring both the gods and the kings who had given Egypt its greatness. 5
Notable People of the New Kingdom Tuthmosis II: 1493 1479 BCE Would not have become Pharaoh but for the death of Tuthmosis I sons Wadjmose and Amenmose. Was the third eldest son born to a minor wife of Tuthmosis I. To legitimize his rule he was married to his half-sister Hatsheput. Together they never produced a son. When he died his son Tuthmosis III was to young to rule so Hatsheput continued to rule until Tuthmosis III came of age.or that s what was suppose to happen. Hatsheput: 1479 1458 BCE Hatshepsut was one of only a handful of female pharaohs. Came to power because her step-son (Thutmosis III) was too young to take the throne. She was supposed to rule for Thutmosis III until he was old enough to rule on his own. However, after several years, Hatshepsut declared herself the pharaoh. Many important people at that time did not agree with her right to rule, but Hatshepsut ruled for many years on her own. When she died, Thutmosis III became the pharaoh. Many of the monuments that were built during Hatshepsut's reign, and many statues of her were destroyed after she died. People destroyed them because they were a reminder of the time when she was the ruler. Tuthmosis III: 1479 1425 BCE Denied a prominent role in state affairs, Tuthmosis III spent his childhood and adolescence preparing for the future. He was educated as a scribe and priest, developing a life-long love of literature and history, and then entered the army. Rose to the rank of Commander in Chief and enjoyed a short, victorious campaign in the Levant. Took his throne in unsettled times. His eastern vassals, for so long quiet, were starting to challenge Egypt's dominance. A series of glorious campaigns, including the dramatic capture of Megiddo (Biblical Armageddon), saw Egypt restored to her position of power. 6
Akhenaten: 1352 1336 BCE Akhenaten was a pharaoh who ruled ancient Egypt from 1352 B.C. to 1336 B.C.. When Akhenaten took the throne of Egypt, he changed the focus of ancient Egyptian religion. Believed that the Aten should replace Amun as the most important god in ancient Egypt. Many people did not agree with this. After Akhenaten died his monuments were destroyed, and his name was removed from wall reliefs and statues. Nefertiti: 1370 1330(?) BCE Nefertiti was the Great Royal Wife of Akhenaten and helped him with his religious revolution. Some scholars believe she ruled briefly before Tutankhmun (Akhenaten s son by another wife) but others believe she may have died before the death of her Husband. Tutankhamun 1336 1327 BCE Tutankhamun was a pharaoh who ruled ancient Egypt for only nine years. When he came to power he (or the priests who controlled the young Pharaoh) restored Egypt s religion to what it had been before Akhenaten s reforms. In 1922, an English archaeologist named Howard Carter discovered Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings. This discovery was important because it was the first time a tomb had been found that had not been emptied by tomb robbers. 7
Ramses II: 1279 1212 BCE One of the most powerful and influential pharaohs of Egypt. Ramses II was a pharaoh who ruled ancient Egypt for 66 years from 1279 B.C. to 1213 B.C. He is known as Ramses the Great for his contributions to Egypt, including his war campaigns to the Mediterranean and into Nubia, as well as his construction projects, such as cities, temples and tombs. Ramses II was pharaoh when Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt. Late Dynastic Period: 1070 323 BCE (Began about c. 3000 years ago) Decline of Power Dynastic feuds and the increased power of the Theban priests at the end of the 20 th Dynasty left Egypt unable to deal with the changing political situation in the Near-East. The prestige it had held during the New Kingdom was lost along with its possessions in Syria-Palestine and Nubia. Weakened and internally divided, Egypt lay open to attacks from Nubians, Assyrians, and Persians who would impose their rule with varying success. 8
Ptolemaic Period 332 30 BCE (Began c. 2300 years ago) Greco-Egyptian Culture When Alexander the Great defeated the Persians and entered Egypt, he was welcomed as the son of the god Amun and he was immediately accepted as the new king of the country. Egypt became part of the Hellenistic world (Greek civilization beyond classical Greece) Upon the death of Alexander and his two successors the short lived Macedonian Empire broke apart and Egypt found itself under the rule of one of Alexander s generals, Ptolemy. Ptolemy and his heirs ruled Egypt as an independent country and again made it one of the most prestigious countries in the world. Great building projects would promote these foreign kings as benefactors, pleasing both the gods and the people of Egypt. The last of the Ptolemy line was Cleopatra. After her death Egypt would become a province of the Roman Empire. With the arrival of Christianity during the period of Roman rule, the culture of Ancient Egypt would disappear never to rise again. Notable People of the Ptolemaic Period Alexander the Great: 352 323 BCE Alexander had conquered much of Greece and the Levant by the time he was about 20 years old. In 332 B.C. Alexander conquered Egypt. Founded the city of Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast which would become a great centre of learning in the ancient world, then left Egypt to continue his battles in the Near East. Alexander conquered territories as far east as India. 323 B.C. he died of a fever. 9
Ptolemy I: 323 283 BCE Ptolemy was a general and good friend of Alexander the Great. After Alexander's death in 323 B.C., Alexander's generals and companions fought over how to divide up his empire between them. Ptolemy gained control over Egypt, and his family ruled Egypt for about 275 years. This is called the Ptolemaic period. Cleopatra VII: 51 30 BCE Cleopatra VII (commonly known as just 'Cleopatra') is one of the most famous queens of Egypt. Was well educated and spoke many languages including Egyptian. In fact, she was the only ruler during the Ptolemaic period that actually spoke the Egyptian language (Greek was the official language of government in Egypt during the Ptolemaic period). She had the misfortune of choosing the losing side in the Roman civil war that brought an end to the Roman Republic and saw the beginning of the Roman Empire. She would commit suicide along with Marc Antony and Egypt would become a province of the new Roman Empire. 10