The Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs

1. The Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs

2. Introduction • In 1922, archaeologists discovered the tomb of a pharaoh named King Tutankhaten, or King Tut • Inside his burial chamber they found three coffins • The smallest coffin was made of solid gold and contained King Tut’s mummy • He was wearing a gold mask, jewelry and good luck charms • Other rooms in the tomb contained statues, weapons and even a chariot • The treasures in his tomb taught historians many things about Egyptian life • Other pharaohs have also left behind many artifacts such as fabulous riches and artwork • Many pharaohs built great monuments to celebrate their accomplishments • We will take a tour of some of these monuments from the different time periods of Egyptian history • There are three periods of Egyptian history • Old Kingdom • Middle Kingdom • New Kingdom

3. The Old Kingdom • The Old Kingdom lasted from about 2700 to 2200 B.C.E. • During this time pharaohs set up a strong central government • They also built great pyramids as tombs for themselves • Some historians call it the Age of the Pyramids

4. The Middle Kingdom • The Middle Kingdom lasted from about 2000 B.C.E to 1800 B.C.E. • It is often referred to as the Period of Reunification • The Middle Kingdom followed a period of chaos and disunity in Egypt • During this era Egyptians had many achievements in literature, art and architecture

5. The New Kingdom • The New Kingdom is called Egypt’s Golden Age • It existed from about 1600 to 1100 B.C.E. • During this time Pharaohs expanded trade and built gigantic monuments

6. Khufu the Pyramid Builder • Khufu ruled from about 2551 to 2528 B.C.E. during the Old Kingdom • He is best known as a pyramid builder • Although not much is known some story tellers say he was a cruel, harsh ruler • He kept strict control over the food supply and controlled governors who carried out his work • Khufu wanted the Pharaoh to be Egypt’s supreme ruler and so he declared himself a god

7. Khufu and Giza • The Old Kingdom Pharaohs had huge pyramids built for themselves and their families • Khufu was responsible for building the Great Pyramid of Giza • It is one of the wonders of the ancient world • It was made of more than 2 million stone blocks that fit together perfectly • Inside, tunnels led to several burial sites • The king’s chamber had 6 roofs to hold the weight of the stone blocks above it • The pyramid took more than 20 years to build • Khufu organized and fed thousands of workers to complete the project

8. Pharaoh Senusret • Pharaoh Senusret ruled from 1971 to 1926 B.C.E. • He was a strong leader who ruled a unified Egypt • Art, literature and architecture flourished during his reign • Craftsmen thrived under his rule • The pharaoh controlled mines loaded with gold, copper, and gems such as purple amethyst • Craftsmen made beautiful pieces of jewelry from these materials

9. Senusret I and Literature • Some of the greatest works of literature were also created during Senusret’s rule • “The Story of Sinuhe” was one of the most famous

10. “The Story of Sinuhe” This story tells of a young official named Sinuhe who overhears a plot to kill the Pharaoh. Fearing for his own life Sinuhe flees Egypt. He thrives in his new land but gets homesick. When a new Pharaoh calls him home, he returns joyfully.

11. Senusret I continued • Another great accomplishment of Senusret’s reign was religious architecture • He built and improved many temples shrines and religious monuments • His finest achievements was the White Chapel • It was made of a white hard stone. Some historians believed it was once covered in a thin layer of gold. • Beautiful artwork decorated the chapel’s pillars • A later Pharaoh took the chapel a part to use pieces in his own monument.

12. Pharaoh Hatshepsut: Promoter of Egyptian Trade • She ruled from 1473 to 1458 B.C.E. • She was the first female Pharaoh • One of her greatest accomplishments was gaining power of Egypt. At first she had to share it with her male relatives but later was given full control • During her reign trade along the Nile and in the Middle East grew

13. Pharaoh Hatshepsut • Hatshepsut strengthened her powers by assigning loyal advisors • She demanded the same treatment as male rulers and sometimes even dressed as a male • Sometimes she even wore a fake beard like the previous male Pharoahs

14. Pharaoh Hatshepsut and Trade • Her biggest trade expedition was to the African kingdom of Punt, at the southern end of the Red Sea. • Five ships with over 200 men sailed there to take gifts and to trade goods in the kingdom

15. Pharaoh Hatshepsut and Monuments • Hatshepsut left behind a great temple at Dayr-al-Bahri • The main part was built into a cliff above the Nile • At the entrance there were 2 tall monuments called obelisks • The entrance had 200 sphinx statues • The sphinx is a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human

16. Pharaoh Ramses II: Military Leader and Master Builder • Ramses II ruled from 1290 to 1224 B.C.E. • He ruled during the New Kingdom • He was called Ramses the Great and is one of the best known Pharaohs • He is best known for his military leadership and the monuments he built

17. Pharaoh Ramses II • Ramses II had over 100 wives and more than 100 children • He had hundreds of statues of himself in Egypt. Some of the statues were over 60 feet high • He was a fearless soldier from a young age • He fought along side his father in numerous battles and became a captain in the army by age 10

18. Pharaoh Ramses II • Ramses fought the Hittites who were trying to capture territory in Northern Egypt • Ramses was also a peace keeper • He eventually convinced the Hittites to sign the first known peace-treaty that lasted until 1190 B.C.E.

19. Pharaoh Ramses II • One of Ramses most impressive projects was the temple complex at Abu Simbel • The main temple was carved into a cliff on the banks of Nile • The smaller temple honored his favorite wife, Nefertari • Four giant seated statues of Ramses framed the entrance to the main temple • The figures were sculpted right out of the cliff wall and are the finest example of Egyptian art

20. Pharaoh Ramses II : Temple • Inside the temple was also remarkable • Visitors passes through 3 large rooms called halls, to reach the main room • The room’s alters contained more statues of Ramses and other gods • The temple was built so that twice a year the sun lined up perfectly with the entrance • At those times the sun shines in and lights up the statues • Ramses built more statues and temples than any other Pharaoh in history • When he died he was buried in the tomb he constructed for himself • He is one of the best preserved mummies ever found