The Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs

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The Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs

• History Alive! Ch. 8, pp. 73-79

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8.1 Introduction

• In 1922, archeologists discovered the tomb of
  King Tutankhaten.
• Inside the small burial, they found three coffins
  nested inside each other, the smallest made of
  solid gold containing the kings mummy. On the
  mummys head was a magnificent golden mask.
  Jewelry and good luck charms lay on the mummy and
  in the wrappings that protected it. Other rooms
  were filled with statues, weapons, furniture, and
  even a chariot

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• The treasures in King Tuts tomb provided an
  amazing glimpse into Ancient Egypt
• Other pharaohs also left behind fabulous riches
  and artwork
• Many of them built great monuments to celebrate
  their accomplishments.
• The three important periods in ancient Egyptian
  history are
• Old Kingdom
• Middle Kingdom
• New Kingdom

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8.2 Ancient Egypt and Its Rulers

• The Old Kingdom lasted from 2700 to 2200 B.C.E.
• During this time, early pharaohs set up a strong
  central government.
• They also built great pyramids as tombs for
  themselves
• Some historians call this time the Age of the
  Pyramids.

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• The Middle Kingdom lasted from 2000 to 1800
  B.C.E.
• It is sometimes called the Period of
  Reunification because it followed years of chaos
  and disunity
• Many great achievements in literature, art, and
  architecture were made during this era.
• The New Kingdom lasted from about 1600 to 1100
  B.C.E.

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• This era is often called Egypts Golden Age
  because it was a time of peace and unity.
• Rulers increased trade and built gigantic
  monuments.
• Egypts power reached its height at this time.
• During all three periods, Egypt was ruled by
  pharaohs. They held supreme power they were
  kings, generals, and religious leaders. They
  owned the land and were responsible for the
  well-being of the people.

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• Egyptians believed that the pharaohs were gods
• After they died, the pharaohs were thought to
  enter an afterlife that would never end
• Their great tombs were built to last forever
• The pharaohs built other monuments to glorify
  their power and successes

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8.3 Pharaoh Khufu The Pyramid Builder

• The pharaoh Khufu ruled from about 2551 to 2528
  B.C.E., during the Old Kingdom period.
• He is best known as the builder of a famous
  pyramid.
• Khufu helped establish the pharaoh as a central
  authority
• He kept strict control over Egypts food supply
• He controlled a large network of government
  officials who carried out his laws.
• He emphasized his power by declaring himself a
  god.

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• Khufu was responsible for building the Great
  Pyramid at Giza.
• Its one of the wonders of the ancient world.
• It sat at the center of a huge complex of
  temples, statues, monuments, and smaller tombs
• It was made of more than 2 million stone blocks
  that fit together
• Inside, tunnels led to several burial chambers
• It took more than 20 years to complete
• The completed pyramid was a stunning monument to
  Egyptian engineering.

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8.4 Pharaoh Senusret I Patron of the Arts

• The pharaoh Senusret I ruled from 1971 to 1926
  B.C.E., during the Middle Kingdom
• He was a strong leader who ruled a stable,
  unified Egypt
• Art, literature, and architecture flourished
  during his reign.
• He controlled mines loaded with gold, copper, and
  gems such as purple amethyst
• Craftspeople fashioned these materials into
  beautiful pieces of jewelry

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• Some of the greatest works of Egyptian literature
  were written during Senusrets reign
• The Story of the Sinuhe
• His greatest accomplishments were in religious
  architecture
• He built and improved many temples, shrines, and
  religious monuments
• His finest architecture achievement was the White
  Chapel
• It was made of alabaster, a hard white stone

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8.5 Pharaoh Hatshepsut Promoter of Egyptian Trade

• The pharaoh Hatshepsut ruled from 1473 to 1458
  B.C.E., during the New Kingdom
• She was Egypts first female pharaoh
• She was known for encouraging trade with other
  countries
• One of Hatshepsuts greatest accomplishments was
  simply gaining power

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• She filled her government with loyal advisors
• She demanded the same respect as a male ruler
• She spread stories that her father was a god.
• As pharaoh, Hatshepsut promoted trade with other
  countries
• Her biggest expedition was to the African kingdom
  of Punt, at the southern end of the Red Sea
• Five ships sailed to Punt bearing gifts and trade
  goods
• In all, over 200 men made the voyage

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• Hatshepsut left behind a stunning monument to her
  reign, a great temple at Dayr al-Bahri.
• The main part was built into a cliff above the
  Nile River
• At the entrance were two tall, thin monuments
  called obelisks
• The entrance was also graced by 200 sphinx
  statues, mythical creatures with the body of a
  lion and the head of a man
• Scenes from Hatshepsuts reign decorated the
  temple walls, including carvings that portrayed
  the great voyage to Punt

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8.6 Pharaoh Ramses II Military Leader and Master
Builder

• The pharaoh Ramses II ruled from 1290 to 1224
  B.C.E., during the New Kingdom
• Known as Ramses the Great, he was one of the most
  important rulers in ancient Egyptian history
• He reigned for more than 60 years, longer than
  almost any other pharaoh
• He is best known for his courageous military
  leadership and for building numerous monuments

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• He had over 100 wives and more than 100 children
• He had hundred of statues of himself erected all
  over Egypt, some were over 60 feet high
• Ramses was a fearless soldier from a young age,
  being made captain at the age of 10
• One of his most impressive projects was the
  temple complex at Abu Simbel
• The main temple was carved into the side of a
  cliff on the bank of the Nile River
• A smaller temple honored his favorite wife,
  Nefertari
• Four giant seated statues of himself framed the
  entranceamong the finest example of Egyptian art
• Ramses built more temples and monuments than any
  other pharaoh in history