The document summarizes the major historical periods of ancient Egypt. It describes the First Dynasties and unification of Upper and Lower Egypt around 3100 BC. It then discusses the Old Kingdom period when the earliest pyramids were built, the Middle Kingdom when central power weakened, the New Kingdom when Egypt defeated foreign invaders, and the Kush civilization that grew while Egypt was weak. The document provides a high-level overview of the major political and cultural developments in ancient Egyptian history from unification to foreign domination.

1. Review Activity: Learning Styles

2. Write down what comes to
mind

3.  Ruler
 King
 Were thought to be gods
 Wore double crown (white crown of upper and
red of lower Egypt)
 Means “great house”

24. When did they occur?

26. What are the differences?

29. Egypt’s Beginnings
• First Three dynasties and Merging of Upper and Lower
• Egypt in 3100 BC; King Djoser builds step pyramid in 2630 BC
Old Kingdom
• 2575BC Old Kingdom Begins; pyramids built esp. Khufu’s Great Pyramid
• 2160 BC Central power of Pharaohs breaks down and Egypt suffered for 100 years
Middle Kingdom
• 2055 BC Mentuhotep II takes control and Middle Kingdom begins
• Amenemhet I founds the 12th dynasty and rules for 22 years; his dynasty rules for 200 years
• 1630 BC The Hyksos invade and rule Egypt for 100 years
New Kingdom
• Egypt overthrows the Hyksos and the New Kingdom begins; it is a period marked by many
strong pharaohs
• 1472 BC Hatshepsut-first female pharaoh, “steals” throne from stepson
• 1353 BC Akhenaton becomes pharaoh; promoted worship of Sun god Aton singularly
• 1333 BC Tutankhamen takes over and restores polytheism
• 1279 BC Ramses II takes throne and rules for 66 years extends Egypt’s land greatly
• After his death, Egypt weakened and was ruled by foreign powers for a 1000 years
• In 525 BC the Persians took over, followed by the Greeks in the 300’s

30. Kush Civilization
• Nubia was controlled by Egypt until
central power broke down
• When the less powerful rulers in Egypt
couldn’t control Nubia any more, the
Kush civilization grew up
• Around 750 BC Piye, the Kushite
king, began defeating enemies up and
down the Nile until he controlled all of
Egypt and was declared pharaoh.
• In 671 BC, the Assyrians invaded and
ended Kushite rule in Egypt.