Lecture 5: Middle Kingdom + 2nd I.P Flashcards
Describe the features of the Middle Kingdom.
Reunified Egypt. A new capital of Itj-tawy Royal pyramids occurs again. Osiris cult from Abydos. Border expansions into Nubia. Development of writing and literature.
Who was the 1st king of the Middle Kingdom and where is he from?
Mentuhotep II, Thebes.
Who was the founder of the 12th dynasty?
Amenemhat I
Who was Amenemhat I?
Probably a vizier before king. Ruled during a time of political instability.
What is Amenemhat I famous for?
Moving the capital to Itj-tawy and his pyramid at Lisht.
Describe Amenemhat I’s pyramid.
Built at Lisht.
1st largest pyramid since Pepi II.
Representative of O.K traditional style.
What are the main features of the 12th dynasty?
Co-regencies between fathers and sons.
The female pharaoh, Sobekneferu.
Name one planned town from the Middle kingdom.
Lahun.
What was Lahun?
A planned builders town based around the pyramid of Senwosret II.
What was found at Lahun?
A large archive of papyri.
What mining expeditions occurred during the Middle Kingdom period?
The eastern desert - stone + metals.
The Sinai peninsular - turquoise.
Nubia - gold
What military activities occurred during the Middle Kingdom period?
Expeditions of Senwosret I, III + Amenemhat II.
11 forts constructed around 2nd cataract.
Defensive architecture.
Emergence of professional soldiery.
Name and date one steal showing the reaction of the Egyptians to foreigners.
Middle Kingdom, Semna steal of Senwosret III
Give some examples of what they traded in, during the Middle Kingdom.
Ivory, ebony, pottery, cedar, resin, stone vessel and other luxury goods.
Who did the Egyptian trade with during the middle kingdom?
Kush, Syria-Palestine, Cyprus and Punt.
Name one example of tombs f the powerful provincial elite.
The Beni Hasan tombs
Describe the developments in religion during the Middle kingdom.
Senwosret I, built 1st stone temple to Amun-Re, Thebes.
Coffin texts.
Simplified funerary equipment.
What was the major cult of the Middle Kingdom?
The Cult of Osiris.
What tomb is also credited as the tomb of Osiris?
The Tomb of Djer at Abydos
What was offered to Osiris and where?
100’s of stelae in Cenotaphs (the royals).
Literary developments of the Middle Kingdom.
Large variety of genres.
Historical or instructional are most popular.
Mostly fictional.
Features of the 13th dynasty.
Founded by Sobekhotep I.
Rapid changes of rule.
Few sources and remains.
Pharaohs claim non-royal descent (unusual)
Features of the 2nd Intermittent period.
Capital moved to Thebes. Lost control over Nubia. Short lived kings. Hyksos period reigned by the Asiatic people. Kush grows in power. Increasing importance of the army.
What was the Hyksos period?
A period ruled by foreign kings known as the Asiatic people.
How were the Asiatic people seen?
Rather badly.
What evidence of the Hyksos period?
Scarab seals.
What was the Hyksos capital?
Avaris.
What cultural developments comes from Avaris?
Architecture. Pottery on the fast-wheel. Weaponry. Horse + Chariots. Wool-sheep.
What burials are from the Hyksos culture?
Burials in houses and donkey burials.
Name one rival dynasty to Egyptians.
Kerma.
Features of the 17th dynasty.
Known as ‘true’ Egyptian dynasty.
Ruled from Thebes.
Tombs at the entrance to the Valley of the Kings
Who was Seqenenre Taa?
A king who had, had a violent death. His body was poorly mummified.
Who was the last king of the 17th dynasty?
Kamose.
What does Kamose’s stela record?
The defeat of Hyksos.
