The Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs

The Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs

6th Grade Social Studies

Today's Objective

​How did Egypt’s most powerful rulers leave their marks on history?

​

Unit 3 Anchor Question

How did the formation of a writing system affect the people living in ancient societies?

Ancient Egypt and its Rulers

Ancient Egypt enjoyed three long periods of stability and unity under the rule of pharaohs. Historians call these periods the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, and the New Kingdom

Old Kingdom

• Lasted from about 2700 to 2200 B.C.E.

• Early pharaohs set up a strong central government

• Great Pyramids were built as tombs for the pharoahs

• Known as the "Age of the Pyramids"

• Drought and conflict amongst the pharoahs led to the decline

Middle Kingdom

• Lasted from about 2000 to 1800 B.C.E.

• Known as the "Period of Reunification" because it followed years of chaos and disunity

• Egyptians enjoyed many great achievements in literature, art, and architecture

• Large drainage projects created arable farmland

• Power struggles led to the collapse

New Kingdom

• Lasted from about 1600 to 1100 B.C.E.

• Often called Egypt's "Golden Age"

• A time of peace and stability which ancient Egypt's power reached its height

• Pharaohs increased trade and expanded the empire beyond Eygpt

• Religion played a central role in Egypt's social and political order

• Prominent pharoahs: Hatshepsut, Tutankhamen, and Ramesses the Great

Ancient Egypt and its Rulers

Pharaohs believed the afterlife would never end. Their tombs were built to last. Many objects were buried with the pharaoh for use in the next world. The pharaohs built other monuments to glorify their power and success. The map shows the locations of some of the greatest monuments.

Multiple Choice

All of the following are true regarding ancient Egypt EXCEPT:

• The New Kingdom is often called Egypt's Golden Age

• Expansion beyond Egypt occurred during the New Kingdom

• The Great Pyramids were built as tombs for the pharaohs during the Old Kingdom

• King Tut began construction of the Great Pyramids

Pharoah Khufu

• Ruled from 2551 to 2528 B.C.E., during the Old Kingdom period

• Best known for building the Great Pyramid

• Helped establish the pharaoh as a central authority

• Kept control over Egypt's food supply

• Oversaw the harvest and the storage of extra grain

• Controlled many government officials who carried out his laws

• Declared himself a god

Great Pyramid

• Khufu was responsible for the building of the Great Pyramid at Giza

• It is one of the wonders of the ancient world

• It sat at the center of a huge complex of temples, statues, monuments, and smaller tombs

• It was made of more than 2 million stone blocks

• The king's chamber had six roofs to hold up the weight of the stone layers above it

• It took about 20 years to complete

• The finished pyramid was a stunning monument to Egyptian engineering

Multiple Select

Which of the following are true about Khufu and his Great Pyramid. Select THREE answers.

• Khufu's Great Pyramid is one of the wonders of the ancient world

• Khufu's Great Pyramid was built during the time of the New Kingdom

• It was made of more than 2 million stone blocks

• The pyramid took about 20 years to complete

Pharaoh Hatshepsut

• Hatshepsut ruled during Egypt's New Kingdom from about 1473 to 1458 B.C.E.

• Egypt’s first female pharaoh

• Promoted trade with other countries

• Her biggest trade expedition was to the African kingdom of Punt, at the southern end of the Red Sea

• Hatshepsut left behind a stunning monument to her reign - a great temple at Dayr al-Bahri - scenes from her reign decorate the temple walls

Multiple Select

Which of the following is true of Hatshepsut? Select TWO answers.

• Promoter of Egyptian trade

• Egypt’s second female pharaoh

• Ruled during Egypt's Middle Kingdom

• A great temple at Dayr al-Bahri was built depicting her reign

Pharaoh Ramses II

• Pharaoh Ramses II ruled for over 60 years during Egypt's New Kingdom from about 1290 to 1224 B.C.E.

• One of Egypt's most famous pharaohs

• Best known for his military leadership and for building numerous monuments

• His most famous military campaigns were against the Hittite Empire in Anatolia (present-day Turkey)

• He was also a peacemaker - he and the Hittites signed the world's first peace treaty

Pharaoh Ramses II

• One of Ramses' greatest projects was the temple complex at Abu Simbel

• The main temple was carved into the side of a cliff

• Four giant statues of a seated Ramses framed the entrance to the main temple

• The temple was built so that, twice a year, the sun lined up with the entrance

• He ordered more temples and monuments built than any other pharaoh in history

Multiple Choice

All of the following are true of pharaoh Ramses II EXCEPT:

• He reigned during Egypt's New Kingdom for more than 60 years

• He was a humble and quiet leader

• He is best known for his military leadership and impressive monuments

• He and the Hittites signed the world's first peace treaty

Poll

Claim: ___ was the greatest of the Egyptian pharaohs.

• Khufu

• Hatshepsut

• Ramses the Great

Open Ended

Provide a piece of evidence from todayś presentation that justifyś your claim.

Sentence Stem: According to todayś presentation, "_____."

Open Ended

Explain why the evidence you chose is important.

Sentence Stem: ___ is the greatest Egyptian pharaoh because ___.