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