Ancient Egypt: The Old Kingdom

• The Old Kingdom began around 2575 BCE. Egyptians during the Old Kingdom believed each pharaoh was a god who had absolute authority.

• Still, the pharaohs of the Old Kingdom did not rule alone.

• They Oversaw a complicated government with many different departments.

  
  

The Old Kingdom

• The task of running the day-to-day operations of the government fell to a vizier.

• A vizier as a chief minister to the pharaoh.

• Workers in departments under the vizier collected taxes,built irrigation systems, and made sure farms grew enough food.

  
  

vizier

• Workers built pyramids during the Old Kingdom.

• The grandest was the Great Pyramid at Giza

• In 2600 BCE, the pharaoh, Khufu, had the pyramid built as his tomb His plan was to be buried in it with his possessions after his death. His subjects believed Khufu would need those things with him on his trip to the afterlife.

  
  

The Great Pyramid of Giza