Chapter 4 Section 3 Ancient Egypt

The wealth and power of the pharaohs declined. They didn't have enough money to keep building and maintaining pyramids.

Nobles began to challenge the pharaoh's power and chaos was everywhere. Trade and farming declined.

Mentuhotep II came into power and united Egypt. His rule was the beginning of the Middle Kingdom

Unfortunately the Hyksos invaded Lower Egypt and ruled for 200 years. Ahmose drove them out and declared himself king of Egypt.

Ahmose's rise to power was the beginning of the New Kingdom. Egypt was powerful. There was a lot of trade and wealth.

The leaders prevented future invasions by controlling all routes to Egypt. They began to invade other kingdoms and became an empire.

They took over the Hyksos and Syria and all of the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. They also defeated the Kush kingdom to the south. The defeated kingdoms sent treasures to Egypt as payment.

Daily did not change much in Egypt through all the changes in leadership and all the wars.

There were scribes, artisans, artists, architects, soldiers, farmers, peasants, and slaves.

Most families lived in their own homes. Men were expected to marry young so they could start families. Egyptian women took care of the home but some had jobs and women had some rights like owning property. Children played and went to school.