Middle Kingdom sac Flashcards
What caused the FIP?
Climate issues - prolonged period of drought in the Nile
Decentralisation of gov - power struggles, economic difficulties
Rise in Nomarch power - increased wealth, trusted by society
Where was the 11th dynasty family located?
Why
Thebes - Upper Egypt
Capital was moved here from Memphis, allowed Theban rulers to gradually expand their influence southward.
How did Mentuhotep II reunify Egypt?
(Conquest of the Heracleopolis - Lower Egypt)
3 points
Theban forces clashed with Heracleopolitan dynasty, leading to series of wars
launched military campaigns against herocleopolis, achieving strategic victories to weaken their power
conquered Heracleopolis, ending its rule.
How did Mentuhotep II reunify Egypt?
(non-war factors)
3 points
Administrative reform (reorganised gov + appointed officals to maintain order).
Boosted economy through flourishing trade and agriculture.
revived arts and architecture, reflecting stability.
Why did Mentuhotep II conquer Nubia?
3 points
Control trade
Buffer from threats from the south (Kingdom named Kush, threatened Egyptian sovereignty)
Great soldiers (archers), helped reunify Egypt.
Why did Mentuhotep II establish forts along the Nile?
2 points
Defence (guarded Egypts southern border)
Controlled Nubia (access to it, monitored movements)
Why is Der el Bahri significant?
3 points
Mortuary temple (contains burial sites for Pharaohs and queens)
Reflects struggling economy - pyramids used lots of resources, temple cheaper
Religious shift in society - front of temple faces sunrise, focus on Cult of Ra
Summary of the Prophecy of Neferti
2 points
fictional story about an Old Kingdom wiseman who predicts the appearance of the founder of the 12th Dynasty; Amenemhet I.
considered to be a pseudo-prophecy, bc written after an important event in history
How was the Prophecy of Neferti used as a tool of propaganda?
2 points
writing’s purpose was to promote the ruling class’s interests.
prioritised benefiting the upper classes of society, rather than the peasants
Summary of Lay of the Harper story
2 points
“Harper’s Song” was a poem inscribed in tombs alongside images of harp-playing blind men
Harper lamenting his misfortune and the challenges he faces in the afterlife.
How was Lay of the Harper used as a tool of propaganda?
reflects Egyptian beliefs in the importance of proper burial and preparation for the journey beyond.
Summary of Instructions of King Amenemhet
2 points
Supposedly written by King Amenemhet before his death to instruct his son, Senusret I, on how to effectively rule.
emphasises qualities like wisdom, justice, and loyalty to maintain a stable kingdom.
How was Instructions of King Amenemhet used as a tool of propaganda?
Speculations that it was actually written by Senusret illustrate how literature was used to reinforce the power of the Pharaohs.
Summary of The Story of Sinuhe
2 points
story is centred around official named Sinuhe, who flees Egypt after the death of Amenemhat I.
journeys to foreign lands in order to find refuge, establishing a new life + becoming a military hero. However, he longs to return to Egypt.
How was The Story of Sinuhe used as a tool of propaganda?
2 points
Sinuhe’s desire to return to Egypt reflects the strong connection between individuals and their homeland in ancient Egyptian culture.
importance of loyalty to the king and the homeland
What was the Golden Era? (Senusret III era)
3 points
height of Middle Kingdom power
Senusret’s power organised Egypt into real power in the Middle-east
Conquests conducted to secure trade routes, ports, and mines
Why did Senusret III conduct conquests into places such as Palestine and Nubia?
(Secure 3 things)
Secure trade routes
Secure valuable resources (copper, gold)
Secure Egypts Southern border
Key features of Cult of Amun-Ra
(2 points abt Amun)
Why is it significant?
Amun - God of Thebes, replaced Ra as King of the Gods
Rise in Amun shows influence ruling parties had on religion and worship
Key features of Cult of Osiris
(2 points)
Why was there a religious shift?
Appealed to ruling elite and common people, unifying belief of a positive afterlife.
associating pharaohs with Osiris reinforced his divine status.
Upper Egypt shifted religion to try control people of lower Egypt (through unified religion)
What is the Faiyum Oasis?
2 points
Turned large area into religious, resort like centre.
Allowed Pharaoh’s/members of court to worship, hunt, or fish.
Why was Senusret III moving the capital from Memphis to Itjtawy significant? (why did he do it)
Location to Faiyum and the Nile (helped control trade)
Major political enemies in Memphis, move was strategic way to start fresh.
Who did Egypt trade with?
Why was trade significant in the Middle Kingdom?
(2 points)
International trade with neighbours (Byblos, strong relationship)
cultivated success through gaining valuable resources (minerals) from other kingdoms
Trade routes protected Egyptian land (south border, Nubia)
Explain the end of the 12th Dynasty (Sebeknefru)
Senusret III died, successors Amenemhet III and IV reigned for 5 years each after.
No male successor, so female Pharaoh Sebeknefru took her rule.
Ruled peacefully for 4 years, had no heir to pass the throne to.
Where did the Hyksos migrate from?
How long was the course of their migration?
Where did they settle?
waves of ppl from Palestine and West Afria
150 years
Lower Egypt, mainly around Delta
Who are the Hyksos?
Why were the Hyksos able to easily migrate?
(2 points)
How were they viewed?
Foreign rulers emerged as a powerful force.
1.no organised central gov army to keep people out.
2.Increased trade in Middle Kingdom also made it easier.
Foreigners or different to Egyptians.
How did the Hyksos expand their power and influence?
3 points
entered Egypt as nomads, likely drawn by fertile lands of Nile Delta.
Seized Avaris and made it their capital, strategic location in the eastern Nile Delta.
Expanded dominion south, exerting control over significant portion of Lower Egypt.
What inventions did the Hyksos introduce to Egyptian society?
horse-drawn chariot (gave them significant military advantage)
new methods of irrigation (boosted agriculture production, sustained growing population)
advanced metal working techniques.
What led to the downfall of the Hyksos?
3 points
series of well-executed military campaigns by Ahmose I.
Egyptians used naval forces to control Nile, cutting off Hyksos supply lines
Egyptians improved Hyksos tech (chariot), giving them advantage
How has the defeat of the Hyksos beem documented?
Autobiography of Ahmose - firsthand account, details military campaigns
Tale of Apepi and Seqenenre - recounts conflict between Hyksos ruler Apepi and Theban prince Seqenenre.
Key features of the SIP
not an economic collapse of centralised power, more of a political fragmentation of Egypt
