Fall of the Egyptian Empire

Egypt 3.4: Egypt's Empires

Guiding Question: Why did the Egyptian empire

decline in the late 1200s BC?

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Recover and Decline​

During the 1200s BC (New Kingdom), the pharaohs worked to restore Egypt's greatness. They fought battles for more territory, increased Egypt's wealth through trade, and built large temples and monuments.​

​Ramses II

• ​one of the most successful pharaohs during 1200s BC

• ​ruled from 1279 BC to 1213 BC

• ​he conquered the region of Canaan and moved north into Syria

• ​he had to fight the Hittites for this territory and eventually signed a peace treaty with their king

Open Ended

What did Ramses II do in his temple to make him seem like a strong pharaoh?

​Age of Temples

• ​Ramses II and other New Kingdom pharaohs built many temples throughout Egypt

• ​One of the most special temples was Karnak at Thebes

• ​Most Egyptians prayed at their homes and temples were only used for special occasions

• ​temples were viewed as the home for the gods

​Age of Temples

• ​Priests and priestesses performed daily rituals washed the statues of the gods and brought them food

• ​temples were important to Egypt's economy

• ​priests hired people to work in temple workshops and granaries

• ​temples also served as banks

• ​Egyptians used them to store valuable items, such as gold jewelry, oils, and woven textiles

​Why Did Egypt Decline?

• ​After Ramses II died, Egypt declined

• ​Pharaohs fought constant wars and armies from the eastern Mediterranean attacked Egypt

• ​By 1150 BC, the Egyptian empire controlled only the Nile Delta

• ​Libya, Kush, and the Assyrians from Mesopotamia were all different invaders who finally took control of Egypt

Open Ended

What were the accomplishments of Ramses II?