Ancient Egypt: A Royal Journey

Power of the Pharaohs

The civilization we call ancient Egypt started about 5,000 years ago, when the rule of the pharaohs began. They made Egypt a rich and powerful nation, admired throughout the ancient world. They also ordered the building of great temples for their gods and elaborate tombs for themselves. Some pharaohs, such as Pepy II, came to the throne when they were very young and stayed in power for many years.

Sons inherited their father's throne. Pharaohs' wives were also important, but few women ever ruled the country. Teams of workers crafted beautiful objects for the pharaohs and their families. They used materials such as semi-precious stones and gold from the desert mines. The royal couple often displayed their riches in public. Processions, receptions for foreign visitors and visits to the temples were opportunities to show the power of the pharaohs.

A Royal Journey

The magnificent royal barge gliding down the river reminded people of the wealth and importance of their god-king and his “Great Royal Wife”.Safe landing: Oarsmen were skilled at bringing the boat smoothly to rest beside the dock.

Fit for a pharaoh: A sphinx guarded the prow. The rest of the barge was covered with gold and inlaid with semi-precious stones.

People in waiting: Officials and tribute bearers, soldiers and slaves stood by the immense columns of the temple to welcome their pharaohs.

Pharaohs. Photo by Elena.

The Dynasties of the Pharaohs

Archaic Period, 2920 BC to 2575 BC.: Upper and Lower Egypt were united. Building programs included impressive monuments in Saqqara and Abydos. Stone vases.

Old Kingdom, 2575 BC to 2134 BC.: This period was also known as the Age of Pyramids. Crafts and architecture developed. Picture symbols, called hieroglyphs, were used to write the texts inside the pyramids. Figures of female brewer.

First Intermediate Period, 2134 BC to 2040 BC.: At the end of the sixth dynasty, a series of weak pharaohs ruled. Local officials called nomarchs struggled for more power. Low Nile floods caused widespread famine.

Middle Kingdom. 2040 BC to 1640 BC.: Strong pharaohs united the country again and trade revived. The twelfth-dynasty pharaohs organized canals and reservoirs for better irrigation, King Mentuhotpe II.

Second Intermediate Period, 1640 BC – 1550 BC.: The pharaohs lost control. The Hyksos from the Near Est settled in the delta region.

New Kingdom, 1550 BC to 1070 BC.: Ahmose ousted the Hyksos. The pharaohs who followed him expanded Egypt's frontiers to form an empire.

Third Intermediate period, 1070 BC to 712 BC.: Power was divided between the pharaohs and the high priests.

Late Period, 712 BC to 332 BC.: The Egyptian conquerors became the conquered. Successive invasions of Nubians, Assyrians and Persians took over Egypt. In 332 BC, Alexander the Great freed Egypt from Persion rule.