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a golden age
Around 2200 B.C, the ruling pharaoh in Memphis began to weaken. Ambitious nobles fought for control of Egypt. For more than 200 years, disorder and violence swept through the region. Finally, a new dynasty of pharaohs came to power. They moved the capital south to a city called Thebes. These new pharaohs began a period of peace and order called the Middle Kingdom that lasted from about c. 2055 B.C to 1650 B.C.
the arts flourished
Egyptian arts and architecture thrived during the Middle Kingdom. Painter decorated the walls of tombs and temples with colorful scenes. Sculptor carved hunting, fishing, and battle scenes on large stone walls. They created statues of the pharaohs, showing them as ordinary humans rather than gods. During the Middle Kingdom, the Egyptians developed a new kind of architecture. Pharaoh no longer had pyramids built. Instead, they had their stones cut into limestone cliffs west of the Nile River. This area became known as the Valley of the Kings.
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the hyksos
During the 1600 B.C, some Egyptian nobles challenged the power of the pharaohs. Civil war divided Egypt ending an ear of peace and prosperity. As the Middle kingdom weakened, outsiders invaded Egypt, outsiders invaded Egypt. People from western Asia known as the Hyksos swept across the desert into Egypt. The Hyksos were powerful warriors who used the methods of warfare unknown to the Egyptians. As a result, they took control of the soldiers, and land. For more than 100 years Hyksos kings ruled Egypt. Soon enough, Egyptians learned how to ride horses and use stronger weapons, and a prince called Ahmose, drove the Hyksos out of Egypt
building an empire
Ahmose founded a new dynasty. It began a period known as the New Kingdom, which lasted from about 1500 B.C to 1070 B.C. During this time, Egypt prospered through trade, gained more lands through conquest, and reached the height of its power. No longer isolated, Egyptians benefited from the spread of goods, ideas, and cultures within their empire.
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a woman pharaoh
A queen named Hatshepsut was one of the few women to rule Egypt. She came to power in 1473 B.C and governed with her husband. Then, after his husband's death, she made herself a pharaoh on behalf of her nephew. The dynasty of a pharaoh was from father to son so Hatshepsut had to prove to the people that she was a good leader. She dressed in clothes of male pharaoh, and used a fake beard to copy the male Egyptian kings. She was more interested in the expansion of Egypt by trade than by war. She also built magnificent temples and restored old monuments.
expanding the empire
When Hatshepsut died, her nephew, Thutmose III, became pharaoh. Thutmose was a strong leader and general who expanded Egypt's control north to the Euphrates River in Mesopotamia. Unlike Hatshepsut, Thutmose expanded Egypt by war, which had the Egyptian armies capturing nearly 350 cities during Thutmose's reign. In time Egypt grew more and more, Egyptians enslaved people to work for them. However, slaves had some rights, they could own land, get married and eventually gain their own freedom.
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Amenhotep IV
A new pharaoh named Amenhotep IV came to power in 1370 B.C. Supported by his wife Nefertiti, Amenhotep tried to change Egypt's religion, which was based on the worship of many deities.
Amenhotep believed that the priests had grown too powerful and wealthy. He felt threatened so he decided to change religions. He introduced Tom to the Egyptians, and claimed him to be the only god of Egypt. Many priests didn't agree with this so they lost their wealth and place in Egypt. Amemhotep even changed his name to Akhenaton, which meant, "Spirit of Aton". These changes weakened Egypt and most of it was conquered by outside invaders.
king tut
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When Amenhotep died, his 10 year old son, Tutankhamen, became pharaoh. The young pharaoh relied on advice from priests and officials to rule Egypt. Tutankhamen restored the worship of many deities. He ruled Egypt only for nine years, since he died unexpectedly. His death is still a mystery for many historians today.
ramses II
The most successfull of these pharaohs, was Ramses II, who ruled from 1279 B.C to 1213 B.C. Ramses conquered the region of Canaan and moved north into Syria. To get this territory he fought the Hitties, who lived in present-day Turkey. After many battles, Ramses and the Hitties King signed a peace treaty. After Ramses died, Egypt declined. Pharaohs fought costly wars. Armies from the eastern Mediterranean attacked Egypt. By 1150 B.C, the Egyptian empire controlled only the Nile delta. In the 900s B.C, the Libyans conquered Egypt. Then, the people of Kush seized power. Finally, in 670 B.C, Egypt was taken over the Assyrians from Mesopotamia.
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