The Middle Kingdom and Hyksos Invasion

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Questions and Answers

What weakened the power of pharaohs during the Middle Kingdom?

The construction of more pyramids

Power struggles with government officials (correct)

Divine intervention from the gods

Invasions from neighboring nations

What marked the end of the Middle Kingdom?

The invasion of the Hyksos (correct)

A civil war among the Egyptians

The rise of Ahmose

The death of Pepi II

Which technological advantage did the Hyksos have over the Egyptians?

Use of stone weapons

Advanced pyramid construction techniques

Chariots drawn by horses (correct)

Airborne weaponry

How long did the Hyksos rule over Egypt?

150 years Signup and view all the answers

What was a common misconception about Ancient Kush due to early 1900s racism among archeologists?

That it had no influence on Egypt Signup and view all the answers

What method did the Egyptians adopt from the Hyksos during their rule?

Creating weapons from bronze and iron Signup and view all the answers

What was the image of authority that the Egyptians associated with the absence of a pharaoh during the Hyksos rule?

Seth taking charge Signup and view all the answers

Who led the uprising against the Hyksos around 1550 BCE?

Ahmose Signup and view all the answers

What was the deal made between the Hyksos and Kush during the Hyksos attack on Egypt?

Kush would not help Egypt, and the Hyksos would maintain trade deals with them. Signup and view all the answers

How long did the conflict between Egypt and Kush last?

90 years Signup and view all the answers

What major action did Pharaoh Thutmose I take against Kush?

Burned Kush’s capital, Kerma, to the ground. Signup and view all the answers

After breaking free from Egypt's rule, how long did Kush control Egypt?

70 years Signup and view all the answers

What significant contribution did the Egyptians make regarding writing materials?

They created papyrus from a reed plant. Signup and view all the answers

In what area did the Egyptians develop a number system based on ten?

Mathematics Signup and view all the answers

What was a unique feature of the Egyptian calendar compared to the Mesopotamian calendar?

It had three seasons of 120 days each. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following medical advancements were the Egyptians known for?

First civilization to use splints and bandages. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Middle Kingdom

Pepi II, a pharaoh, ruled for 90 years and weakened the power of the pharaohs during his reign.
Power struggle between government officials and pharaohs lasted for 200 years.
Pharaohs regained power through their connection to the gods.
The Middle Kingdom ended when a group called the Hyksos invaded Egypt.

The Hyksos Invasion

The Hyksos were from the area between Egypt and Mesopotamia (modern-day Jordan).
They used bronze and iron weapons, which were more advanced than the Egyptians' copper and stone weapons.
The Hyksos rode on chariots, giving them a significant advantage over the Egyptians who fought on foot.

Hyksos Rule

The Hyksos ruled Egypt for 150 years, and during that time, the Egyptians thought the god ‘Seth’ had taken power.
The Egyptians learned to make bronze and iron weapons and trained secretly.
Around 1550 BCE, Ahmose, an Egyptian related to past pharaohs, led a rebellion and expelled the Hyksos from Egypt.

Ancient Kush

Ancient Kush, located in modern-day Sudan, had a significant influence on ancient Egypt and vice versa.
Kush built pyramids for their kings.
During the Hyksos invasion, Kush and the Hyksos made a deal to continue trade and Kush wouldn't help Egyptians.
After the Hyksos were driven out, Egypt attacked Kush believing they chose the Hyksos.
The conflict between Egypt and Kush lasted about 90 years, and Egypt ultimately ruled Kush for 500 years.
Kush rebelled against Egyptian rule and even took over Egypt for 70 years before being driven back to their territory.
Archaeologists have yet to fully decipher their writing system, leading to a lack of information about Kush’s history.

Egyptian Contributions

The Egyptians invented paper (papyrus) made from a reed plant also called papyrus.
The Egyptians developed ink to write hieroglyphics on papyrus.
Papyrus had other uses: baskets, sandals, ropes, boat construction, and houses.
The Egyptians created a decimal system based on ten and developed fractions and geometry to measure land.
The Egyptians created a calendar based on the annual flooding of the Nile, which had three seasons of 120 days each and five extra days dedicated to the gods.
The Egyptians made advances in medicine, including splints, bandages, compresses, stitches, and bone setting.

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Description

Explore the dynamics of the Middle Kingdom in Egypt, highlighting the reign of Pharaoh Pepi II, the power struggles, and the eventual invasion by the Hyksos. Learn about the military advancements that tipped the balance and the eventual rebellion led by Ahmose. This quiz delves into a pivotal era in ancient Egyptian history.