The Middle and New Kingdoms of Ancient Egypt Lesson 

Lesson Overview

• Ancient Egypt: How Ahmose Unified Egypt
• Ancient Egypt: Events and Changes in the Middle Kingdom
• Ancient Egypt: New Kingdom Trade and Military Power
• Ancient Egypt: Middle Kingdom Arts and Architecture
• Ancient Egypt: Middle Kingdom Government Stability
• Ancient Egypt: Akhenaton and the Hittite Invasion
• Ancient Egypt: Writing System Hieroglyphics
• Ancient Egypt: King Tutankhamen's Tomb Discovery
• Ancient Egypt: Ramses the Great and the Tehenu
• Ancient Egypt: Mixed-Review Quiz

Ancient Egypt: Middle and New Kingdoms were powerful eras when Egypt grew through stable government, advanced art, and strong armies, leading to major cultural and military achievements.

Ancient Egypt: How Ahmose Unified Egypt

Ancient Egypt: How Ahmose Gained Power

Ahmose became king by defeating the Hyksos, a group of foreign rulers who had taken over northern Egypt. He used chariots and advanced weapons to push them out, restoring full control and starting the New Kingdom.

Ancient Egypt: Ahmose Worked Example

Ahmose led battles using Hyksos-style weapons. His military success helped unite Upper and Lower Egypt under one rule.

Quick Tip: Ahmose's victory over the Hyksos marked the start of the New Kingdom.

Mini-Quiz
How did Ahmose manage to become king of all Egypt?
A) He was appointed by Queen Hatshepsut
B) He drove the Hyksos out of Egypt
C) He built pyramids to win over nobles
D) He wrote laws for the Nile Delta
Correct answer: B

FAQ

Who did Ahmose defeat to unite Ancient Egypt under the New Kingdom?
Ahmose defeated the Hyksos to restore full Egyptian rule.

Ancient Egypt: Events and Changes in the Middle Kingdom

Ancient Egypt: Middle Kingdom Developments

The Middle Kingdom was marked by peace, building projects, and expanded borders. Pharaohs built canals and forts, and artists created detailed carvings. A false belief is that tombs were built near the Euphrates-Egypt never expanded that far.

Ancient Egypt: Middle Kingdom Example

Pharaoh Senusret III built border forts and improved trade. Artists carved statues and reliefs showing daily life and power.

Quick Tip: The Euphrates is not in Egypt; don't confuse geography with history.

Mini-Quiz
Which statement about the Middle Kingdom is NOT true?
A) Pharaohs added new canals and dams
B) Tombs were cut into cliffs by the Euphrates River
C) Egypt expanded its territory
D) Artists carved statues of pharaohs
Correct answer: B

FAQ

What is a common myth about Ancient Egypt's Middle Kingdom tombs?
Some believe tombs were near the Euphrates, but that's incorrect.

Ancient Egypt: New Kingdom Trade and Military Power

Ancient Egypt: New Kingdom Strength

The New Kingdom was Egypt's most powerful period. Pharaohs like Hatshepsut and Ramses II led military campaigns and opened new trade routes. Egypt gained wealth, land, and political influence.

Ancient Egypt: New Kingdom Example

Hatshepsut traded incense and gold with distant lands. Ramses II led armies into battle and signed treaties to protect Egypt's borders.

Quick Tip: The New Kingdom focused on both war and wealth.

Mini-Quiz
What was the New Kingdom best known for?
A) Building the Sphinx
B) Strong trade and military power
C) Creating the Nile calendar
D) Inventing mummification
Correct answer: B

FAQ

Why is the New Kingdom considered the height of Ancient Egypt's power?
It had the strongest army and farthest-reaching trade networks.

Ancient Egypt: Middle Kingdom Arts and Architecture

Ancient Egypt: Arts and Building Advances

During the Middle Kingdom, Egypt saw new temples, statues, and tombs. Sculptors created realistic figures and decorative reliefs. These projects showed the wealth and pride of the kingdom.

Ancient Egypt: Architecture Example

Temples from this time used stone columns and tall entryways. Statues showed detailed human features and daily life scenes.

Quick Tip: Art and architecture flourished during times of peace.

Mini-Quiz
Which area saw big improvements in the Middle Kingdom?
A) Iron making
B) Arts and architecture
C) Shipbuilding
D) Weapon design
Correct answer: B

FAQ

What made arts and architecture important in the Middle Kingdom of Ancient Egypt?
Pharaohs used them to show power and celebrate peace.

Ancient Egypt: Middle Kingdom Government Stability

Ancient Egypt: Stable Rule Returns

After years of chaos, new pharaohs brought order during the Middle Kingdom. They controlled farming, improved laws, and led large building efforts. People trusted their rulers again.

Ancient Egypt: Stable Rule Example

Mentuhotep II reunited Egypt and moved the capital to Thebes, where government records and temples showed a return to unity.

Quick Tip: "Stable government" means things were organized and peaceful, not perfect or war-free.

Mini-Quiz
What does "stable government" mean in the Middle Kingdom?
A) No buildings were allowed
B) Strong control after disorder
C) Pharaohs gave power to nobles
D) There were no battles anywhere
Correct answer: B

FAQ

How did a stable government help Ancient Egypt's Middle Kingdom grow?
It gave Egypt the power to build, trade, and stay secure.

Ancient Egypt: Akhenaton and the Hittite Invasion

Ancient Egypt: Akhenaton's Mistake

Akhenaton changed Egypt's religion and focused only on Aten. He ignored threats in western Asia, and the Hittites used that moment to invade and take land from Egypt.

Ancient Egypt: Akhenaton Example

While Akhenaton moved the capital and built temples to Aten, Egypt lost control of parts of Syria due to Hittite attacks.

Quick Tip: A pharaoh's distraction can lead to lost land.

Mini-Quiz
Why did Egypt lose land in western Asia?
A) Ramses gave land away
B) Akhenaton ignored threats and the Hittites attacked
C) Thutmose banned weapons
D) Hatshepsut made peace with the Hittites
Correct answer: B

FAQ

Why did Akhenaton weaken Ancient Egypt's control during the New Kingdom?
He ignored foreign threats while changing the religion.

Ancient Egypt: Writing System Hieroglyphics

Ancient Egypt: Hieroglyphics Explained

Hieroglyphics were Egypt's picture-based writing system. They combined pictures and sounds to show names, ideas, and events. Scribes used them in tombs, temples, and scrolls.

Ancient Egypt: Hieroglyphics Example

A wall painting of a pharaoh's battle includes pictures of shields, birds, and people, each symbol standing for words or ideas.

Quick Tip: Hieroglyphics are complex writing-not just drawings.

Mini-Quiz
What is the Egyptian writing system called?
A) Cuneiform
B) Hieroglyphics
C) Latin
D) Demotic
Correct answer: B

FAQ

What are hieroglyphics in Ancient Egypt used for?
They recorded events, names, and stories using picture-symbols.

Ancient Egypt: King Tutankhamen's Tomb Discovery

Ancient Egypt: King Tut's Tomb

King Tut's tomb was discovered in 1922, still sealed and full of treasures. His tomb helped archaeologists learn about Egyptian burial practices and royal life (Source: Smithsonian).

Ancient Egypt: Tomb Example

Howard Carter found the tomb hidden under rubble. Inside were gold, statues, and food meant for the afterlife.

Quick Tip: The tomb stayed safe because no one found or robbed it.

Mini-Quiz
Why is King Tutankhamen's tomb so important?
A) It was the biggest tomb ever made
B) It was found undisturbed in 1922
C) It had a map to other pyramids
D) It proved he ruled for 70 years
Correct answer: B

FAQ

When was King Tutankhamen's tomb discovered and why does it matter?
It was found undisturbed in 1922, revealing Egypt's royal burial customs.

Ancient Egypt: Ramses the Great and the Tehenu

Ancient Egypt: Ramses Defends Egypt

Ramses the Great led Egypt during the New Kingdom and defended it from the Tehenu, invaders from the west. He also built forts and led battles to protect the empire.

Ancient Egypt: Ramses Example

Ramses built a defense wall near Egypt's western border and defeated the Tehenu, keeping Egypt safe during his long reign.

Quick Tip: Ramses wasn't just a builder-he was a skilled military leader.

Mini-Quiz
What is Ramses the Great best known for?
A) Writing the first laws
B) Defending Egypt from the Tehenu
C) Ending the Nile floods
D) Inventing hieroglyphics
Correct answer: B

FAQ

Who did Ramses the Great fight to protect Ancient Egypt?
He fought the Tehenu, defending Egypt's borders from western threats.

Ancient Egypt: Mixed-Review Quiz

1. How did Ahmose rise to power in Ancient Egypt?
A) Trade with Asia
B) Driving out the Hyksos
C) Writing new laws
D) Building canals
Correct answer: B

2. What made the Middle Kingdom unique?
A) Pyramids in Mesopotamia
B) Peace and government stability
C) Desert cities
D) Iron weapons
Correct answer: B

3. Why was the New Kingdom powerful?
A) The Nile dried up
B) Strong trade and military power
C) Farmers ruled the land
D) No temples were built
Correct answer: B

4. What was Egypt's writing system called?
A) Roman
B) Hieroglyphics
C) Phoenician
D) Sanskrit
Correct answer: B

5. Why is King Tut's tomb famous?
A) It had dinosaur bones
B) It was untouched until 1922
C) It was built underwater
D) It was the first tomb built
Correct answer: B

6. Who did Ramses the Great fight during his reign?
A) Priests of Aten
B) The Tehenu
C) The Hyksos
D) The Sumerians
Correct answer: B

The Ancient Egypt: Middle and New Kingdoms period shaped much of what we know about Egypt's rise in art, leadership, military, and writing. From Ahmose's battles to King Tut's tomb, each event shows how Egypt grew and changed.

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Ancient Egypt: Middle and New Kingdoms