Lesson 8: The Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs
What did the pharaohs of ancient Egypt accomplish, and how did they do it?
Embedded Files
the old kingdom
the old kingdom
Age of the Pyramids
2000 to 1800 B.C.E
the middle kingdom
the middle kingdom
Period of Reunification
2000 to 1800 B.C.E.
The New kingdom
The New kingdom
Golden Age
1600 to 1100 B.C.E.
Building The Old Kingdom
Building The Old Kingdom
Take a look at the outside of Pharaoh Khufu's Great Pyramid via Google Maps. It is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids at Giza, and is the only surviving structure out of the famed Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Take a look at the outside of Pharaoh Khufu's Great Pyramid via Google Maps. It is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids at Giza, and is the only surviving structure out of the famed Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Travel inside the Great Pyramid
Travel inside the Great Pyramid
For centuries, people have wondered how the ancient Egyptians were able to build the Great Pyramid.
The Great Pyramid is more than 450 feet tall and constructed of more than 2 million huge blocks, many of which weigh 3 tons or more.
Most scientists agree that the Great Pyramid was likely built in about 20 years.
There have been several hypotheses put forth to explain how the Great Pyramid was built. We will learn more about the different hypotheses in this lesson.
Building the Pyramids of Egypt - A Detailed Step by Step Guide
Building the Pyramids of Egypt - A Detailed Step by Step Guide
Ancient Egypt Explained: The Old Kingdom
Ancient Egypt Explained: The Old Kingdom
The Middle Kingdom
The Middle Kingdom
During the first intermediate period (time between the Old and Middle Kingdom) Egypt was split into two parts. Pyramids and religious buildings were destroyed and pillaged. The kingdom in the South eventually overthrow the government in the North and thus led Egypt into the The Middle Kingdom also called the Period of Reunification.
During the first intermediate period (time between the Old and Middle Kingdom) Egypt was split into two parts. Pyramids and religious buildings were destroyed and pillaged. The kingdom in the South eventually overthrow the government in the North and thus led Egypt into the The Middle Kingdom also called the Period of Reunification.
Model Paddling Boat from the Middle Kingdom
Model Paddling Boat from the Middle Kingdom
Senusret I, considered the Patron of the Arts, was a pharaoh during the Middle Kingdom of Egypt. Art, literature, and architecture all thrived during Senusret's reign as pharaoh.
Senusret I, considered the Patron of the Arts, was a pharaoh during the Middle Kingdom of Egypt. Art, literature, and architecture all thrived during Senusret's reign as pharaoh.
White Chapel of Senusret I
White Chapel of Senusret I
The New Kingdom
The New Kingdom
The New Kingdom (about 1600 to 1100 B.C.E.) is often called Egypt's Golden Age. During this time of peace and stability, ancient Egypt's power reached its height. Pharaohs increased trade and had huge monuments built.
Hatshepsut
Hatshepsut
Hatshepsut, meaning Foremost of Noble Ladies, ruled during the New Kingdom. She was the first female pharaoh to rule Egypt with the full power of the position and she reigned longer than any other woman of an indigenous Egyptian dynasty.
ramses II
ramses II
The pharaoh Ramses II ruled from about 1290 to 1224 B.C.E., during the New Kingdom. Called Ramses the Great, he is one of the most famous pharaohs. He reigned for more than 60 years, longer than almost any other pharaoh. He is best known for his military leadership and for building numerous monuments.
Abu Simel
Abu Simel
One of Ramses' greatest projects was the temple complex at Abu Simbel. The main temple was carved into the side of a cliff. The cliff was on a bank of the Nile River. A smaller temple honored his favorite wife, Nefertari.
Four giant statues of a seated Ramses framed the entrance to the main temple. The figures were carved right out of the rock face of the cliff. They are among the finest examples of the artistic skill of Egyptian sculptors.
The inside of the temple was also remarkable. Visitors passed through three large rooms, called halls, to reach the temple's main room. This room's altar contained statues of Ramses and three Egyptian gods. The temple was built so that, twice a year, the sun lined up with the entrance. Beams of sunlight would shine down the halls and light up the statues.
Ramses ordered more temples and monuments built than any other pharaoh in history. When he died, he was buried in the tomb that he had ordered workers to construct solely for him. His mummy is one of the best-preserved bodies ever found.
Summary:
Ancient Egypt and Its Rulers Ancient Egypt enjoyed three periods of stability and unity under the rule of pharaohs. These periods were the Old Kingdom (Age of the Pyramids) from about 2700 to 2200 B.C.E; the Middle Kingdom, (Period of Reunification) from about 2000 to 1800 B.C.E.; and the New Kingdom, (Golden Age) from about 1600 to 1100 B.C.E.
Pharaoh Khufu During the Old Kingdom, Khufu set up a strong central government. He also had the Great Pyramid built at Giza. It was an amazing construction feat and one of the wonders of the ancient world.
Pharaoh Senusret During the Middle Kingdom, Senusret encouraged Egyptian art and literature. Artisans and architects created fine works, including White Chapel.
Pharaoh Hatshepsut Hatshepsut, Egypt's first female pharaoh, promoted Egyptian trade during the New Kingdom. She had a great temple built at Dayr al-Bahri.
Pharaoh Ramses II Ramses the Great was a superior military leader and builder of monuments during the New Kingdom. He signed the world's first peace treaty with the Hittites. He had the temple complex at Abu Simbel built.
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