the kings and queens of ancient egypt. royal legends

The Kings and The Kings and Queens Queens

of of Ancient EgyptAncient Egypt

Royal LegendsRoyal Legends

Archaic Period Archaic Period (5000-2685 B.C.E.)(5000-2685 B.C.E.)

By 5000 B.C.E. prehistoric By 5000 B.C.E. prehistoric Egyptians had passed into Egyptians had passed into the Neolithic Age. the Neolithic Age.

Agriculture was well-Agriculture was well-developed and copper was developed and copper was used to make tools. used to make tools.

Sometime prior to 3000 Sometime prior to 3000 B.C.E. the Egyptians B.C.E. the Egyptians invented a system of writing. invented a system of writing.

Researchers believed that Researchers believed that the Egyptian the Egyptian “hieroglyphs”“hieroglyphs” (Greek for “priestly (Greek for “priestly carvings”) were influenced carvings”) were influenced by the Mesopotamians. by the Mesopotamians.

Archaic Period Archaic Period (5000-2685 B.C.E.)(5000-2685 B.C.E.)

There were more than There were more than 40 large settlements 40 large settlements along the Nile’s course along the Nile’s course by 3000 B.C.E. by 3000 B.C.E.

Traditionally, Traditionally, NarmerNarmer or or MeneMenes is credited s is credited with unifying Upper with unifying Upper and Lower Egypt. and Lower Egypt.

He is considered the He is considered the first first PharaohPharaoh (“Great (“Great House”). House”).

The term “Pharaoh” The term “Pharaoh” was not used by the was not used by the Egyptians. Egyptians.

The Old Kingdom The Old Kingdom (2685-2180 B.C.E.)(2685-2180 B.C.E.)

The Old Kingdom consisted of The Old Kingdom consisted of the first six dynasties of the first six dynasties of Egyptian rulers. Egyptian rulers.

During this period most of the During this period most of the traditions that were to become traditions that were to become characteristic of Egyptian life characteristic of Egyptian life for the next two thousand years for the next two thousand years appeased. appeased.

The king was considered a The king was considered a living god and held absolute living god and held absolute power. power.

During the Third Dynasty (Ca. During the Third Dynasty (Ca. 2650 B.C.E.) the capital was 2650 B.C.E.) the capital was moved to moved to MemphisMemphis, just north , just north of the beginning of the Delta. of the beginning of the Delta.

The pyramids were built during The pyramids were built during the Fourth Dynasty the Fourth Dynasty (ca. 2613-2494 B.C.E.). (ca. 2613-2494 B.C.E.).

The First Intermediate The First Intermediate Period (2180-2040 B.C.E.)Period (2180-2040 B.C.E.)

There are at least three reasons which account for There are at least three reasons which account for the collapse of central government in the Old the collapse of central government in the Old Kingdom. Kingdom.

First, the expenditures necessary for projects such First, the expenditures necessary for projects such as the pyramids exhausted the state’s revenues. as the pyramids exhausted the state’s revenues.

Second, climatic disasters reduced the amount of Second, climatic disasters reduced the amount of grain, weakening the state. grain, weakening the state.

Finally, the nobility grew powerful and Finally, the nobility grew powerful and autonomousautonomous. During the First Intermediate . During the First Intermediate Period, power reverted to the Period, power reverted to the nomesnomes (regional (regional authorities). authorities).

The Middle Kingdom The Middle Kingdom (2040-1785 B.C.E.)(2040-1785 B.C.E.)

This period of disorder and This period of disorder and anarchy ended when a anarchy ended when a powerful noble family from powerful noble family from ThebesThebes subdued their subdued their rivals and established a rivals and established a new dynasty (ca. 2040 new dynasty (ca. 2040 B.C.E.) B.C.E.)

The Middle Kingdom was The Middle Kingdom was one of brilliance. one of brilliance.

During the Twelfth Dynasty During the Twelfth Dynasty the Pharaohs undertook a the Pharaohs undertook a massive land reclamation massive land reclamation project at an project at an oasisoasis west of west of the Nile (The Fayum). the Nile (The Fayum).

The Middle Kingdom The Middle Kingdom (2040-1785 B.C.E.)(2040-1785 B.C.E.)

Dams and reservoirs Dams and reservoirs were constructed to were constructed to insure adequate water insure adequate water supply throughout the supply throughout the year. year.

The Thirteenth Dynasty The Thirteenth Dynasty (ca. 1785 B.C.E.), (ca. 1785 B.C.E.), already weakened by a already weakened by a resurgence of the resurgence of the nobility, fell victim to nobility, fell victim to external invaders. external invaders.

The Second Intermediate The Second Intermediate Period Period

(1785-1560 B.C.E.)(1785-1560 B.C.E.)

The invasion of Egypt by the The invasion of Egypt by the HyksosHyksos (“Rulers of Foreign Lands”) marks a (“Rulers of Foreign Lands”) marks a turning point in Egyptian history. turning point in Egyptian history.

Until 1700 B.C.E., Egypt had seemed Until 1700 B.C.E., Egypt had seemed impregnable. impregnable.


(1785-1560 B.C.E.)(1785-1560 B.C.E.) It is uncertain It is uncertain

precisely what the precisely what the origin of the origin of the Hyksos was. Hyksos was.

They brought three They brought three innovations: use of innovations: use of horses, chariots, horses, chariots, and body armor. and body armor.


(1785-1560 B.C.E.)(1785-1560 B.C.E.)

The Hyksos attempted to establish The Hyksos attempted to establish themselves as the rulers of Egypt. themselves as the rulers of Egypt.

By 1560 they had either been driven By 1560 they had either been driven out of Egypt or were enslaved.out of Egypt or were enslaved.

The New Kingdom The New Kingdom (1560-1085 B.C.E.)(1560-1085 B.C.E.)

Under the New Under the New Kingdom the Kingdom the Pharaohs followed a Pharaohs followed a policy of expansion policy of expansion that saw them that saw them dominate dominate NubiaNubia in in the south and send the south and send their armies into their armies into PalestinePalestine and and SyriaSyria. .


Two new classes Two new classes came into being: came into being: professional professional soldiers and slaves. soldiers and slaves.

It was during this It was during this period that the period that the Jews fell under the Jews fell under the Pharaoh’s power. Pharaoh’s power.


The Egyptian Empire reached its The Egyptian Empire reached its zenith by 1400 B.C.E. zenith by 1400 B.C.E.

The Empire endured for four centuries. The Empire endured for four centuries. By 1085 B.C.E. the Egyptians had lost By 1085 B.C.E. the Egyptians had lost

their Asian empire. their Asian empire. Economic disasters ensued and the Economic disasters ensued and the

New Kingdom collapsed with the end New Kingdom collapsed with the end of the Twentieth Dynasty. of the Twentieth Dynasty.

Queen HatshepsutQueen Hatshepsut1490-1469 BCE1490-1469 BCE

Queen Hatshepsut was the first Queen Hatshepsut was the first great woman in recorded history.great woman in recorded history.

Her rise to power went against all Her rise to power went against all the conventions of her time. the conventions of her time.

She was the first wife and Queen She was the first wife and Queen of Thutmose II and on his death of Thutmose II and on his death proclaimed herself Pharaoh, proclaimed herself Pharaoh, denying the old king's son, her denying the old king's son, her nephew, his inheritance. nephew, his inheritance.

To support her cause she claimed To support her cause she claimed the God Amun-Ra spoke, saying the God Amun-Ra spoke, saying "welcome my sweet daughter, my "welcome my sweet daughter, my favorite, the king of Upper and favorite, the king of Upper and Lower Egypt, Maatkare, Lower Egypt, Maatkare, Hatshepsut. Thou art the King, Hatshepsut. Thou art the King, taking possession of the Two taking possession of the Two Lands." Lands."

She dressed as a king, even She dressed as a king, even wearing a false beard and the wearing a false beard and the Egyptian people seem to have Egyptian people seem to have accepted this unprecedented accepted this unprecedented behavior. behavior.

Queen HatshepsutQueen Hatshepsut She remained in power She remained in power

for twenty years and for twenty years and during this time the during this time the Egyptian economy Egyptian economy flourished, she expanded flourished, she expanded trading relations and trading relations and built magnificent built magnificent temples as well as temples as well as restoring many others. restoring many others.

Eventually her nephew Eventually her nephew grew into a man and grew into a man and took his rightful place as took his rightful place as pharaoh. pharaoh.

The circumstances of The circumstances of this event are unknown this event are unknown and what became of and what became of Hatshepsut is a mystery.Hatshepsut is a mystery.

Queen HatshepsutQueen Hatshepsut Hatshepsut's successor Hatshepsut's successor

became the greatest of became the greatest of all Pharaohs, Thutmose all Pharaohs, Thutmose III, "the Napoleon of III, "the Napoleon of ancient Egypt." ancient Egypt."

He had her name cut He had her name cut away from the temple away from the temple walls which suggests he walls which suggests he was not overly fond of was not overly fond of his auntie. his auntie.

But the fact that she But the fact that she was able to contain the was able to contain the ambitions of this ambitions of this charismatic and wily charismatic and wily fellow for so many fellow for so many years, hints at the years, hints at the qualities of her qualities of her character.character.

AmenhotepAmenhotep (1363-1347 B.C.E.) (1363-1347 B.C.E.)

Amenhotep IV changed his Amenhotep IV changed his name to Akhenaton, meaning name to Akhenaton, meaning "the Servant of Aten" early in "the Servant of Aten" early in his reign. his reign.

Whereas his father, Whereas his father, Amenhotep III, had sought to Amenhotep III, had sought to reduce the increasing power reduce the increasing power of the priesthood, Akhenaton of the priesthood, Akhenaton practically dismantled it. practically dismantled it.

Akhenaton early in his reign Akhenaton early in his reign introduced a monotheistic introduced a monotheistic worship of Aten, the Sun God. worship of Aten, the Sun God.

At first he attempted to place At first he attempted to place temples for next to temples temples for next to temples for other gods. for other gods.

Eventually he closed all the Eventually he closed all the other temples and took their other temples and took their revenues. revenues.

AmenhotepAmenhotep

In the process of this religious revolution, In the process of this religious revolution, Akhenaton placed him self as the Akhenaton placed him self as the intermediary between Aten and the intermediary between Aten and the people. people.

This helped eliminate the need for the This helped eliminate the need for the priesthood. priesthood.

As the only one with access to the god, As the only one with access to the god, Akhenaten established himself as a god-Akhenaten established himself as a god-king and became the first king to be called king and became the first king to be called Pharoah. Pharoah.

AmenhotepAmenhotep New Capital at el-Armana New Capital at el-Armana He created a new capital at He created a new capital at

Akhenaton now known as el-Akhenaton now known as el-Armana. Armana.

This sacred city had never been This sacred city had never been occupied prior to Akhenaton's occupied prior to Akhenaton's moving his capital nor did it moving his capital nor did it outlast Akhenaton's reign. outlast Akhenaton's reign.

After Akhenaton's death the After Akhenaton's death the backlash forced his son, backlash forced his son, Tutankhamen to reverse the Tutankhamen to reverse the move to monotheism and return move to monotheism and return to the worship of many gods. to the worship of many gods.

During his reign it appears likely During his reign it appears likely that only the nobles embraced the that only the nobles embraced the Aten cult but even much of that Aten cult but even much of that may have been just to stay in may have been just to stay in favor with the king. favor with the king.

Even without their temples the Even without their temples the common people apparently common people apparently maintained their old worship maintained their old worship practices. practices.

Ramses IIRamses II1298 – 1232 BCE1298 – 1232 BCE

Rameses II (right 19th Rameses II (right 19th dynasty), son of Seti I, dynasty), son of Seti I, was around thirty years was around thirty years old when he became old when he became king of Egypt - and then king of Egypt - and then reigned for 67 years. reigned for 67 years.

He had many wives, He had many wives, among them some of among them some of his own near relatives, his own near relatives, and was the father of and was the father of about 111 sons and 51 about 111 sons and 51 daughters. daughters.


As was usual in those days, the As was usual in those days, the threat of foreign aggression threat of foreign aggression against Egypt was always at its against Egypt was always at its greatest on the ascension of a greatest on the ascension of a new Pharaoh. new Pharaoh.

Subject kings no doubt saw it as Subject kings no doubt saw it as their duty to test the resolve of a their duty to test the resolve of a new king in Egypt. new king in Egypt.

Likewise, it was incumbent on the Likewise, it was incumbent on the new Pharaoh it make a display of new Pharaoh it make a display of force if he was to keep the peace force if he was to keep the peace during his reign. during his reign.

Therefore, in his fourth year as Therefore, in his fourth year as pharaoh, Rameses was fighting in pharaoh, Rameses was fighting in Syria in a series of campaigns Syria in a series of campaigns against the Hittites and their against the Hittites and their allies. allies.

The Hittites, however, were a very The Hittites, however, were a very strong foe and the war lasted for strong foe and the war lasted for twenty years. twenty years.


Rameses was obliged to Rameses was obliged to make a treaty with the make a treaty with the prince of the Hittites. prince of the Hittites.

It was agreed that It was agreed that Egypt was not to invade Egypt was not to invade Hittite territory, and Hittite territory, and likewise the Hittites likewise the Hittites were not to invade were not to invade Egyptian territory. Egyptian territory.

They also agreed on a They also agreed on a defence alliance to defence alliance to deter common enemies, deter common enemies, mutual help in mutual help in suppressing rebellions suppressing rebellions in Syria, and an in Syria, and an extradition treatyextradition treaty


Thirteen years after Thirteen years after the conclusion of this the conclusion of this treaty in the thirty-treaty in the thirty-fourth year of his fourth year of his reign, Ramses reign, Ramses married the daughter married the daughter of the Hittite prince.of the Hittite prince.

Although brave in Although brave in battle, Ramses was battle, Ramses was an inept general an inept general

Ramses spent the Ramses spent the rest of his life rest of his life bolstering his image bolstering his image with huge building with huge building projectsprojects

Queen NefertetiQueen Neferteti

Nefertiti, which means "a Nefertiti, which means "a beautiful woman has come" beautiful woman has come" was queen of Egypt and wife was queen of Egypt and wife of the pharaoh Akhenaton. of the pharaoh Akhenaton.

Nefertiti's origins are Nefertiti's origins are unknown. She might have unknown. She might have been a Mitanni princess or the been a Mitanni princess or the daughter of Ay, brother of daughter of Ay, brother of Akhenaton's mother, Tiy. Akhenaton's mother, Tiy.

Nefertiti had 6 daughters. Nefertiti had 6 daughters. Nefertiti played religious roles Nefertiti played religious roles

in Akhenaten's new religion, in Akhenaten's new religion, as part of the triad that as part of the triad that consisted of Akhenaten's god consisted of Akhenaten's god Aton, Akehenaten, and Aton, Akehenaten, and Nefertiti.Nefertiti.

As shown in the picture, the As shown in the picture, the beautiful Queen Nefertiti wore beautiful Queen Nefertiti wore a special blue crown. a special blue crown.

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