The Middle Kingdom
Target
• List and describe the government,
achievements, and reasons for decline of
the Middle Kingdom
The Middle Kingdom
• Long period of
turmoil- 1st
Intermediate Period
• Mentuhotep II
• Re-unites Egypt
• Begins the 11th
dynasty
Accomplishments of Mentuhotep
• Capital established at
Thebes
• New national god
Amun-Re
• Life-giving qualities
More Accomplishments
• Mentuhotep was the 1st pharaoh to build his tomb in the Valley of the Kings and Queens
• The Pharaoh is more than a man instead of a God
• Trade with Syria and Palestine
The 12 Dynasty
• Amenemhet I
• was a vizer
• Built ocean going
ships for trade
• Built canals and new
cities
Successors
• Amenemhet I appointed a co-ruler during his lifetime
• His son, Sesostris
• Co-ruled for the last 10 years of Amenemhet’s life
• This policy was continued
• Why?
End of the Middle Kingdom
• The Middle Kingdom was stable and
prosperity
• Possible effect?
• Made Egypt attractive to invaders
• Egypt invaded in 1674 B.C.
• The Second Intermediate Period begins.
The Second Intermediate Period
• Egypt invaded by the Hyksos
• Hyksos conquered Egypt
• Assimilated into the Egyptian culture and
society
• How?
Hyksos
• How did they conquer the Egyptians?
• 1. Horse-driven chariots
• 2. Better weapons (daggers/bows)
• 3. Body Armor
Hyksos con’t
• By 1674 B.C. the
Hyksos captured the
city of Memphis
• Hyksos ruler was
crowned Pharaoh
• The Egyptian
Pharaoh controlled
Thebes very loosely
Hyksos rule
• A period of 100 years of peaceful co-
existence
• Why?
• The Hyksos did not interfere with the
religion or customs of the Egyptians
• They actually adopted them!
Upper vs. Lower Egypt
• Eventually, quarrels
break out
• Egyptians led by the
Pharaoh of Upper Egypt
• Kamose
• Why?
• Led revolts against the
Hyksos
• Was very successful
• Why?
End of the 2nd Intermediate Period
• Kamose’s brother Ahmose continued the revolts as the new Pharaoh.
• He expels them completely
• Founded the 18th Dynasty
• This begins the New Kingdom