The Second Intermediate (Middle) Period and the New Kingdom: expansion • Egypt was again weak in the Second Intermediate (Middle) Period when the Hyksos invaded from the north-east. However, this time was followed by the New Kingdom, the time of Egypt’s greatest power. At the start of this period, the armies of Pharaoh Ahmose defeated the Hyksos, who had occupied Egypt. Ahmose also regained control of northern Nubia. • In the ýfteenth century BCE, Egypt defeated a coalition of Asiatic princes at the Battle of Megido. The territory occupied by modern Israel, Lebanon and Syria became part of the Egyptian Empire. Later pharaohs fought against the Hittites to keep control of these lands. In these wars Egypt plundered its defeated enemies and gained more wealth from the tribute (treasure, slaves and livestock) that had to be paid by conquered rulers. 3.8.2 Decline and fall After Rameses II, Egypt weakened as Libyans and Peoples of the Sea invaded the Nile Delta. Despite victories, Egypt lost unity, with priests controlling Upper Egypt and princes ruling Lower Egypt. In the Late Dynastic Period, Nubians took control, followed by the Assyrians in 663 BCE. Bronze Age Egypt had no iron ore and could not match the Assyrians’ iron weapons. Later, Egypt fell to the Persians, then the Greeks and ýnally the Romans. SOURCE3 From an inscription in the temple of Pharaoh Rameses III at Thebes describing a victory over the ‘Peoples of the Sea’, in about 1188 BCE Year 8 under the majesty of [Rameses III] . . . foreign countries made a conspiracy. No land could stand before their arms . . . they were coming forward toward Egypt . . . I have the river mouths prepared like a strong wall, with warships, galleys and coaster . . . The troops consisted of every picked man of Egypt. They were like lions . . . The chariotry consisted . . . of every good and capable chariot-warrior. Those who reached my frontier . . . were dragged in, enclosed on the beach, killed and made into heaps . . .
3.8 SkillBuilder activity CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES 1. Work with a partner to identify the effects of each of the causes listed in the table.
Cause
Effect
a. Regularity of the Nile þooding and a strong, central government b. Peace and stability during the Old Kingdom c. Drought d. Trade with Nubia e. Invasion by the Hyksos f. Wars of the New Kingdom g. Invasion by various groups over time, such as the Libyans and Nubians h. Having no iron ore in Egypt
2. Draw conclusions based on your completed table using the following guiding questions: a. What factors seem to cause war and conþict? b. What factors seem to contribute to stability and peace? c. How does a civilisation achieve prosperity? d. What factors seem to lead to the decline of a civilisation?
108 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 7 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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