The Lost Kingdoms of the Ancients

Chapter 1: EGYPT Egypt is one of the oldest and most well-known ancient civilizations in the world. This chapter will explore the rise and fall of the ancient Egyptian empire.Various pharaohs who ruled Egypt, including Tutankhamun and Ramses II. The Rise of Ancient Egypt The story of Egypt began around 3000 BCE when the first pharaoh – Menes, united Upper and Lower Egypt. He established the capital city of Memphis and started the first dynasty. After Menes, the Old Kingdom began. During the Old Kingdom (2686-2181 BCE), the pyramids were built, and the pharaohs had absolute power over Egypt. The pharaohs were regarded as gods, and they controlled the land, people, and resources of the country. They used their power to build an incredible infrastructure, create powerful armies, and develop a prosperous trading system. However, the Old Kingdom ended due to a severe drought, famine, and internal turmoil. The decline weakened the central government's authority, and provincial governors started asserting their power. ~The Middle Kingdom The Middle Kingdom (2055-1600 BCE) is regarded as a period of political stability and economic development. The pharaohs focused on improving infrastructure, agriculture, and expanding the trading system. They also introduced new policies to control the government, which made Egypt a more unified nation. Around this time, Egypt expanded its boundaries beyond its traditional borders into Nubia and the Levant. The pharaohs also started building large temples to honor their gods and established the cult of Osiris. ~The New Kingdom The New Kingdom (1550-1070 BCE) started with the 18th dynasty, and it is considered one of the most predominant periods of ancient Egypt. During this time, the pharaohs annexed the neighboring kingdoms, and Egypt became the dominant power in the Mediterranean region. The pharaohs were aggressive and militaristic, and they used their armies to establish a vast empire. During the reign of Amenhotep III, the pharaohs had close contact with other cultures, which helped to enrich Egyptian religion, art, and architecture. ~The Fall of Ancient Egypt After the New Kingdom, Egypt started to decline steadily. The pharaohs lost their power to the priests and nobles, leading to power struggles and fragmentation of the government. Moreover, the Hyksos invasion of Egypt (about 1670 BCE) weakened the country's military and economic stability leading to the collapse and fall of the 14th dynasty. During the 11th and 12th dynasty, Egypt's wealth declined slowly due to mounting internal issues, including corruption, embezzlement, and diminishing pharaohs' power. As a result, Egypt lost its massive empire and declined into economic and political turmoil. In 332 BCE, Alexander the Great conquered Egypt, and the Ptolemaic dynasty began. After numerous changes of leadership, Egypt became part of the Roman Empire in 30 BCE. Pharaohs: The pharaohs were the rulers of ancient Egypt. They were believed to be divine beings who had the power to control the Nile River and ensure the prosperity of their kingdom. They were also responsible for building the great pyramids and temples that are still standing today. ~Pharaohs who ruled Egypt. King Tutankhamun (1334 B.C-1325 B.C) is an Egyptian king from the 18th Dynasty of the New Kingdom (1570-1050 BC). He’s also known as Tutankhamen which means the living image of god Amun. He is considered to be one of the youngest kings who ever ruled ancient Egypt as he was only 9 years old when he took Egypt’s throne after the death of his father Akhenaten. He ruled Egypt in a transitory period after his father tried to enforce monotheism by uniting the multi gods in the one god "Aton" the sun disk god. He also moved his capital from Thebes to his new city the Horizon of Aten "Amarna". During Tut's reign, some of the revolutions happened like Tell El Amarna that demanded the return of the old gods once more. His wife was Ankhesenpaaten which means "Her Life is from Aton", she was his half-sister from Akhenaten and Nefertiti, Tut was the son of Akhenaten, and Lady Kiya "one of Akhenaten wives. King Ramses II is one of the greatest pharaohs who ever ruled Egypt, he is known as Ramesses The Great, one of his most famous names is the Ozymandias which is Greek for the first part of his name which reads "The Matt of Ra is Powerful, Chosen of Ra". His legacy began as the third king of the 19th dynasty (1292-1186 BCE), he was born in 1303 BC to his father Pharaoh Seti I and his mother Queen Tuya. He was second-in-command during his father’s military campaigns in Nubia, Libya, and Palestine when he was just 14 years old, and when he reached the age 22 years old, he was leading his own campaigns with his sons Khaemweser and Amunhirwenemef. Ramses was a great emperor Known for his endless ambition, wisdom, and vision. Ancient Egyptian civilization was a complex and sophisticated society that made many important contributions to the development of human civilization.