The Middle Kingdom

Middle Kingdom – The Golden Age

• Expansion of the Empire– Captured Nubia(Sudan) to the South and what is

today Syria – tribute( forced payments) had to be given to Egypt

– Within Egypt farmland was expanded to increase the surplus

– Pharaohs added dams and more irrigation– A canal was built between the Nile and the Red

Sea – increase trade

Arts

• Temples and tombs were covered with colorful paintings of deities and murals about daily life

• Sculptors created large carvings and statues of the pharaohs

• Poets wrote songs and tributes to the pharaohs• Architecture changed from pyramid building to

cutting tombs into cliffs• Temples were built to praise the gods and

goddesses who brought prosperity and peace

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1dM4pZT9QdU/T4fRJhFLPgI/AAAAAAAABxE/HI8XKM4OSCg/s1600/Painting+wall+in+Egypt.jpg

The End of the Middle Kingdom

• Invaded by the Hyksos who were from western Asia

• 150 years under foreign control• Ahmose led a revolt and forced out the

invaders and became Pharaoh • This is the start of the New Kingdom-

1550 B.C.- 1080B.C.

Hatshepsut- 1480 B.C.

-Ruled with husband, behalf of her nephew and finally made herself pharaoh

– She was more interested in trade than conquest• Built new boats• Started trading in eastern Africa• Traded beads, metal tools and weapons for gold, ivory ,

incense and ebonyUsed wealth to build temples and monuments in the

Valley of the Kings

Thutmose III

• Fought series of aggressive wars– Expanded the empire– Egypt grew rich from tribute• Gold, copper, ivory and other valuable goods

– Started a new practice – Slavery• POW’s used to build temples , palaces and tombs

Amenhotep( Akhenaton)& Neferititi

• Changed Egypt’s religion• One god - Aton• Priest were forced out and replaced by

unqualified administrators• Neglected his duties , because he was devoted

to his new religion• Egypt lost much territory to the Hittites• Art and culture were reflected by the religious

changes

Ramses II

• 66 year reign• Empire building through a series of wars and

conquests• Built a large army to retain lost lands• Launched a rebuilding program- constructed

many new temples and monuments• Emphasis on art, literature, and architecture