EGYPT - The old kingdom "Age of the Pyramids"

What years did the Old Kingdom start and end? How many dynasties were there?

2650- 2134 BCE. 3rd - 6th dynasty.

Who was Djoser?

The first known king in Egypt who created a strong enough government to command the country. He is very well-known for his step pyramid in Saqqara. The step pyramid is considered the earliest colossal stone building in ancient Egypt. (third dynasty)

Who was Imhotep?

Imhotep was an ancient Egyptian polymath who lived around 2667-2600 BCE during the Third Dynasty. He is most famous for being the architect of the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara as well as a vizier for Djoser. Besides being an architect, Imhotep was also a physician, poet, mathematician, and astronomer. He was later deified and worshipped as a god of wisdom and medicine.

What’s a Deben?

A Deben was an ancient Egyptian unit of weight used to measure and value commodities, particularly metals like gold, silver, and copper. The weight of a Deben varied over time, but during the New Kingdom, it was approximately 90 grams

What are the pyramids of Giza?

The Pyramids of Giza are a group of three pyramids located on the Giza Plateau near Cairo, Egypt. They were built during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom, around 2575-2465 BCE. These pyramids served as monumental tombs for the pharaohs. It includes The Pyramid of Khufu, The Pyramid of Khafre, and The Pyramid of Menkaure.

What’s a vizier?

A vizier was a high-ranking political advisor or minister in ancient Egypt, often serving as the chief administrator and overseer of government affairs. They were commonly the Pharaoh’s son, because this job was given to someone the pharaoh trusted.

What’s a Nome?

• There Were 42 Nomes: Egypt had 42 regions in total—22 in the southern part (Upper Egypt) and 20 in the northern part (Lower Egypt).

• Each Nome Had a Capital: Just like how we have capital cities in our states or provinces, each Nome had its capital where the nomarch lived and worked.

• Nomarch's Job: The nomarch was in charge of collecting taxes, making sure the farms produced enough food, and keeping everyone safe and happy.

• Old System: The nomes were used for a very long time, even before the famous pyramids were built!

What is corvée duty?

form of unpaid labour that people in ancient Egypt (and many other civilizations) were required to do as part of their obligations to the state or their community. Instead of paying taxes with money, citizens would contribute their labor for a certain number of days each year. This labor could include:

1. Building Projects: Working on large construction projects like pyramids, temples, and other public works.

2. Agricultural Work: Helping with farming tasks such as planting, harvesting, or maintaining irrigation systems.

3. Military Service: Participating in defense activities or expeditions.

What is the first intermediate period? And why did it happen? (political fragmentation, Economic and social changes and cultural shifts)

TheThe First Intermediate Period of ancient Egypt was a time of political instability and fragmentation between the end of the Old Kingdom and the beginning of the Middle Kingdom.

• Political Fragmentation: The central government weakened, leading to the rise of local rulers and nomarchs with more power than the pharaoh, resulting in a divided Egypt with competing power bases in Lower and Upper Egypt.

• Economic and Social Changes: The collapse of the central government allowed wealth and power to spread more evenly, leading to the rise of the middle class and mass production of goods previously available only to the elite.

• Cultural Shifts: Significant changes in art, literature, and religious practices occurred. For example, the Coffin Texts, previously reserved for royalty, became accessible to a broader segment of society, blurring social hierarchies.

The failure of the Nile floods led to famine, causing the collapse of the Old Kingdom and resulting in division and decentralization. It took several generations and strong regional leaders to reunify Egypt and restore stability.