Lecture 1.6: Ancient Egypt: Middle and New Kingdoms (CLAS 160B1)

Summary

In this lecture, Dr. Rob Stephan provides an engaging overview of ancient Egyptian history, covering key periods like the Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, and New Kingdom. He explores Egypt’s rise to power, the significance of the pyramids and mummies, and the religious shifts, including the rise of Osiris and the monotheistic reforms of Akhenaten. The lecture also delves into famous figures like Queen Hatshepsut and King Tut, emphasizing Egypt’s military expansion and cultural contributions. Through archaeological discoveries, like King Tut’s tomb, we gain insight into the grandeur and mystery of ancient Egypt, a civilization that thrived for over 3,000 years.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ancient Egypt has captivated people for millennia, from ancient Greece and Rome to the present day.
• 😀 The lecture outlines the chronological understanding of Egyptian history, highlighting major periods: the rise of Egypt, the Old Kingdom (Age of the Pyramids), the Middle Kingdom, and the New Kingdom (Empire).
• 😀 In the Old Kingdom, the pyramids were grand monuments to the power of the Pharaohs, who were seen as almost divine rulers.
• 😀 The Middle Kingdom saw a shift in kingship, with Pharaohs presenting themselves more as 'shepherds' of the people rather than divine deities. This period also saw the rise of the god Osiris and the practice of mummification.
• 😀 Osiris's myth of death and resurrection laid the religious foundation for mummification in ancient Egypt, symbolizing the preservation of life in the afterlife.
• 😀 The Hyksos, a group from the Near East, introduced new technologies, such as war chariots and bronze weapons, which Egypt eventually adopted during the New Kingdom.
• 😀 The New Kingdom marked Egypt's expansion into a powerful empire, with the Pharaohs, such as Queen Hatshepsut, leading military and political campaigns.
• 😀 Queen Hatshepsut was Egypt's first female pharaoh, a remarkable achievement in a male-dominated world. She constructed a unique funerary temple at Deir El-Bahri.
• 😀 Akhenaten, a controversial Pharaoh, shifted Egypt to monotheism by promoting the worship of the Aten, the sun god, and moved the capital to a new city, Amarna. His reforms were reversed after his death.
• 😀 King Tutankhamun, or King Tut, is historically significant for restoring Egypt's traditional polytheistic religion and returning the capital to Thebes. His tomb, discovered in 1922, remains the most famous due to its wealth and preservation.
• 😀 The New Kingdom ended due to internal and external pressures, including invasions by the 'Sea Peoples,' marking the beginning of Egypt's decline and the rise of foreign empires such as the Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans.
• 😀 The long-lasting cultural and religious legacy of Egypt, from the pyramids to the mummies, reflects a deeply stratified and materially complex society that endured for over 3,000 years.

Q & A

What is the significance of the title 'Gift of the Nile' in relation to ancient Egypt?

The title 'Gift of the Nile' highlights the vital role the Nile River played in the development of ancient Egyptian civilization. The river provided water, fertile land for agriculture, and a means of transportation, making Egypt one of the most powerful and enduring ancient cultures.

How did ancient Egyptians understand their history and chronology?

Ancient Egyptians' history is understood through archaeological evidence and historical texts. The chronology is divided into distinct periods, such as the Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, and New Kingdom, each marked by specific cultural, political, and religious changes.

What was the role of kingship in ancient Egypt during the Old Kingdom and the Middle Kingdom?

In the Old Kingdom, kings were viewed as divine figures with absolute power, almost god-like in their authority. However, during the Middle Kingdom, kingship evolved, and rulers began to portray themselves as 'shepherds of the people,' emphasizing a more relatable and less godlike image, focusing on the welfare of their citizens.

Why did the pyramids of the Middle Kingdom appear 'crappier' than those of the Old Kingdom?

The pyramids of the Middle Kingdom were less grand because of the shift in kingship ideology. Kings during this period focused more on practical concerns and the well-being of the people rather than grandiose tombs, reflecting a change in religious and political priorities.

How did the myth of Osiris relate to Egyptian religious practices, especially mummification?

The myth of Osiris, where he is dismembered and resurrected, reflects the Egyptian belief in the afterlife. This process symbolized the idea of resurrection, which was central to mummification practices—preserving the body for life after death in a manner akin to Osiris's return to life.

Who were the Hyksos, and how did they impact Egypt?

The Hyksos were a group of people from the Near East who invaded Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period. They brought new technologies such as war chariots and bronze weapons, which helped shape the military strategies of the Egyptians when they later expelled the Hyksos.

What distinguishes the New Kingdom of Egypt from earlier periods?

The New Kingdom marked Egypt's expansion into an empire, with military campaigns in Nubia, the Levant, and beyond. It was also a period of monumental architecture, including grand temples at Luxor and Karnak, and the reign of powerful pharaohs like Hatshepsut and Ramses II.

What was unique about Queen Hatshepsut's reign as a female pharaoh?

Queen Hatshepsut was one of the few female pharaohs of Egypt. She was portrayed both as a man and a woman in art and architecture, emphasizing her leadership capabilities. Her reign was marked by successful military campaigns, trade expeditions, and the construction of her iconic funerary temple at Deir El-Bahri.

What was the religious shift under Akhenaten, and how did it affect Egyptian culture?

Under Akhenaten, there was a religious revolution that shifted Egypt from a polytheistic system to a form of monotheism centered on the worship of the Aten, the sun disk. Akhenaten's reforms included a new capital at Akhetaten (modern-day Amarna) and a new artistic style, which were abandoned after his death, but his reforms significantly altered Egypt's religious and cultural landscape.

Why is the discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb so significant?

King Tutankhamun's tomb is significant because it is the only royal tomb in Egypt that was found intact, untouched by robbers for over 3,000 years. The discovery, made by archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922, revealed a wealth of artifacts and provided invaluable insights into ancient Egyptian burial practices and royal life.

How did the Battle of Kadesh in 1274 BC impact Egypt's military history?

The Battle of Kadesh between Egypt and the Hittites in 1274 BC is historically significant because it is the first battle for which we have a detailed written account from both sides. While the battle itself was inconclusive, it led to the first known peace treaty in history between Egypt and the Hittites.

What factors led to the end of Egypt's New Kingdom?

The end of Egypt's New Kingdom was caused by internal strife, external invasions, and the Bronze Age collapse. The Sea Peoples, a coalition of maritime raiders, contributed to the destabilization of the region, leading to Egypt's gradual decline and the eventual takeover by foreign powers like the Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans.