Leadership in

Each level of society is connected to the Pharaoh

PHARAOH Earthly leader; considered a god HIGH PRIESTS AND PRIESTESSES Served gods and goddesses NOBLES Fought pharaoh’s wars MERCHANTS, SCRIBES, AND ARTISANS Made furniture, jewelry & fabrics for pharaohs & nobles, & provided for other needs PEASANT FARMERS AND SLAVES Worked in the fields and served the pharaoh

• Early Dynastic (2920-2575)- unification of upper and lower Egypt into a single Kingdom by Pharaoh Narmer • Old Kingdom - (2575-2134 BC)- development of despotic Pharonic dynasties- construction of Pyramids • 1

st Intermediate

- (2134-2040 BC)- Chaos and disunity • Middle Kingdom - (2040-1640 BC)- reestablishment of Kingdom with Thebes as political center- beginning of powerful cult of Amun • 2

nd Intermediate

- (1640-1530 BC)- Hyksos invasion • New Kingdom - (1530-1070 BC)- Imperial period (Valley of the Kings) • Late Period - (1070-332 BC)- decline of Kingdom; conquest by Alexander the Great

OLD KINGDOM MIDDLE KINGDOM NEW KINGDOM Pharaohs strong central state, were absolute rulers, and were considered gods.

pyramids organized a Egyptians built at Giza.

Power struggles, crop failures, and cost of pyramids contributed to the collapse of the Old Kingdom.

Large drainage project created arable farmland.

Traders had contacts with Middle East and Crete. Corruption and rebellions were common.

Hyksos invaded & occupied the delta region.

Powerful pharaohs created a large empire that reached the Euphrates River. Hatshepsut encouraged trade.

Ramses II expanded Egyptian rule to Syria. Egyptian power declined.

Pharaohs

You can find the Pharaoh by looking for one of his 3 crowns.

Deshret – The Red Crown of Lower Egypt Hedjet– The White Crown of Upper Egypt

Look at the Pharaoh on the left PSCHENT – The Double Crown

So who was the Pharaoh?

• One of the names of

the Pharaoh was “He who makes hearts live”

• The Pharoah held the

power over the greatest force in Egypt

water

Succession

• To keep the pure line of succession, a

Pharaoh passed on the throne to the eldest son born of the Principal Queen, or Great Royal Wife

• Each king was usually keen to

demonstrate to his subjects that he was the “chosen” heir

• The Pharaoh owned all of the land,

people, and possessions in Egypt

• Any personal wealth enjoyed by

Egyptians people was considered a result of the generosity of the King.

Role of the Pharaoh • Pharaoh means, "Great House." • In ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh had

many roles in his kingdom.

– He watched over the law courts and

was the chief of the temples.

– He was an army leader and

controlled trade expeditions.

– He supervised the water system and

stored the grain.

Role of the Pharaoh

• Ancient Egyptians believed that each

living pharaoh was a living god.

• They believed that each pharaoh was the

human form of Horus.

• The pharaohs were very important to

Egypt because they pleased their gods so good fortune would come to Egypt.

• The pharaohs were transported from

place to place on a chair carried by servants.

King Menes

<

NARMER>

• 1st dynasty (of 30 dynasties) • King of Upper Egypt • United Upper & Lower Egypt • Combined two crowns – White crown for Upper Egypt – Red crown for Lower Egypt + =

C 3100 BC

Menes

• Ancient Egypt’s form of a

civilization began with King Menes.

• He created the city of Memphis

because of its location. It would be easy to defend against any attacks.

• During his reign he expanded

his kingdom and developed commercial trade links.

ZOSER

<

DJOSER>

c. 2650 BC

• • • •

3rd Dynasty of the Old Kingdom Responsible for world's 1st

known monumental stone building:

Steppe Pyramid at Saqqara Little known about Djoser, but

–

Steppe Pyramid suggests that Egypt politically stable-- successful economy Architect Imhotep ,

– –

a priest and advisor first architect known by name in history

Djoser

• Imhotep came up with the idea

of the step pyramid.

• The pyramids design consisted

of six giant steps and contained many chambers and secret tunnels.

• It is believed that during

Djoser’s reign, he extended the Egyptian Southern Border all the way to the Nile’s First Cataract.

• He left behind the legacy of the

step pyramid, which was the basis of all other pyramids to come.

Khufu

2551-2528

• Created largest pyramid at Giza • 4th Dynasty • Full name, Khnum-Khufwy, means

‘[the god] Khnum protect me.’

• Believed he was protected by higher power • Gave him confidence/foresight to build

the Great Pyramid.

• Khufu’s father, King Sneferu, taught him the art of

pyramid building.

Pharaoh Senusret I: Patron of the arts

• The Pharaoh Senusret ruled from about 1971 to 1926 B.C.E.

• The arts thrived under Senuret’s rule. A lot of Egyptian literature was written during Senuret’s rule including the “Story of Sinuhe” , which tells the story of a young man who hears a plan to kill the pharaoh. The Story of Sinuhe

Pharaoh Senusret I: Patron of the arts

• Senusret’s greatest achievements were in religious architecture.

• Senusret’s greatest architectural achievement was the White Chapel, which was made from alabaster, a hard white stone.

Hatshepsut

Hatshepsut rules Egypt “his majesty herself” Married to Thutmose II Regent for Thutmose III Ruled 20 years on her own, as the first female pharaoh Temple at Deir-el Bahri Established trade routes to Punt to make Egypt rich 1490-1469

Thutmose III

1490-1436

• Destroyed evidence of his

stepmother/ aunt

• • Great military leader

“Napoleon of Ancient Egypt”

• 54 years of rule, • Captured over 350 cities • Buried in

Valley of the Kings

Tuthmosis III

• He was remembered for is successful military

campaigns, largest empire Egypt had seen

• He had numerous victories against Syria,

Libya and Nubia.

• In his lifetime he married several foreign

princesses, apparently for diplomatic reasons.

• His chief queen was Hatshepsut-Merytre. • He established Egypt as a powerful military

strength.

• He died in his 55

th year of reigning and was buried in the Valley of the Kings.

Amenhotep IV/ Akhenaten

• Changed

Ancient Egyptian Religion to Monotheism

• Took name Akhenaten,

means “Servant to Aten”

• Aten, god & disk of the sun • Married to Nefertiti • “Father” of Tutankhamun • Considered heretic king

1353-1335

Akenaton

• Today, Akhenaton is remembered

for trying to introduce monotheism to Egypt.

• It is not sure how Akhenaton died

but the text two kings, Smenkhkara and Tutankhamen were apparently son’s-in-law to Akhenaton.

• After his reign Egypt returned back

to their old Gods.

NEFERTITI

"And the Heiress, Great in the Palace, Fair of Face, Adorned with the Double Plumes, Mistress of Happiness, Endowed with Favors, at hearing whose voice the King rejoices, the Chief Wife of the King, his beloved, the Lady of the Two Lands, Neferneferuaten Nefertiti, May she live for Ever and Always"

Nefertiti was active in the religious and cultural changes initiated by her husband ~Some maintain she initiated the new religion ~She also had the position as a priest(ess)

Tutankhamun

1333-1323

• Known as the “Boy King” • Married one of his half sisters • Helped restore Egyptian polytheism • Took throne at Nine years old • Died ~ 19 due to a head injury • Buried in the Valley of the Kings (KV 62)

King Tutankhamen helped restore Egypt's old beliefs from when his father tried to make Egypt a monotheistic society.

Tutankhamen

Tutankhamen

• Since his tomb had not yet been made, he

was laid in a tomb of a member of the nobility.

• He is famous today because of his tomb

found by archaeologists.

• Some say it was the most important

archaeological find in history

• King Tut curse????

Ramses II

1290-1224

• Known as –

Ramses the Great

• 200 wives • 96 sons • 60 daughters • Lived for 96 years • Originally buried in the

Valley of the Kings

– but was moved to avoid looting

Pharaoh Ramses II • The pharaoh Ramses II ruled from 1290 to 1224 B.C.E.

• He is known for his military leadership and building of monuments.

• He had over 100 wives and 100 children • At the age of ten he was a captain in the Egyptian army.

• Ramses was also a peace maker by signing the first peace treaty with the Hittites in the world.

At time of Ramses III the world was going through great upheavals. Two principle wives plus

many minor wives Tiye

, caused his destruction. Plot to kill him with the aim of placing her son, prince Pentaweret, on the throne. She stirred rebellion used magic wax images and poison as weapons. Conspiracy failed, traitors arrested but not before Ramses was mortally wounded. Fourteen officials sat in judgment and all the accused condemned to commit suicide. Ramses died before the trial was completed.

The Last Great Pharaoh - Ramses III 1187-56 BC

Cleopatra

• Last Pharaoh of Egypt (51-30 BCE) • Portrayed herself as the reincarnation of Isis • Allied herself with Julius Caesar, disputably had a child together, Caesarean.

• After Caesar died, she aligned with Mark Antony in opposition to Caesar Agustus • Had 3 children with Antony, lost Battle of Actium, committed suicide by Asp

Discussion Questions

1) In your opinion, was it right for the Pharaohs to rule with absolute power? Explain.

2) Do you think Egypt would be so well known today if Pharaohs did not exist?

3) In ancient Egypt all property belonged to the Pharaohs, would our society be successful if this was true today about the Prime Minister.