how many intermediate periods were there in ancient egypt

A brief look at the timeline of Ancient Egypt Historians generally divide ancient Egypt into three major periods. These periods are the Old Kingdom

(c. 2686 – c. 2134 B.C.E); the Middle Kingdom (c. 2040 – c. 1640 B.C.E); and the New Kingdom (c. 1552 – c. 1070 B.C.E).

Full Answer

What was the First Intermediate Period in Egypt?

First Intermediate Period of Egypt

• Events leading to the First Intermediate Period. ...
• The 7th and 8th dynasties at Memphis. ...
• Rise of the Heracleopolitan Kings. ...
• Rise of the Theban Kings. ...
• The Ipuwer Papyrus. ...
• Art and architecture of the First Intermediate Period. ...
• End of the First Intermediate Period. ...
• References. ...

What is the Third Intermediate Period of Egypt?

Third Intermediate Period of Egypt. The Third Intermediate Period refers to the time in Ancient Egypt from the death of Pharaoh Ramesses XI in 1070 BC to the foundation of the Twenty-Sixth Dynasty by Psamtik I in 664 BC, following the expulsion of the Nubian rulers of the Twenty-Fifth Dynasty.

What was Egyptian Third Intermediate Period?

Third Intermediate Period of Egypt. The Third Intermediate Period refers to the time in Ancient Egypt from the death of Pharaoh Ramesses XI in 1070 BC to the foundation of the Twenty-Sixth Dynasty by Psamtik I in 664 BC, following the expulsion of the Nubian rulers of the Twenty-Fifth Dynasty.

What is the First Intermediate Period?

Which three of the following were contributions of ancient Egypt?

• Writing. One of the most important inventions of the Ancient Egyptians was writing. …
• Papyrus Sheets. The Egyptians learned how to make durable sheets of parchment from the papyrus plant. …
• Medicine. …
• Shipbuilding. …
• Mathematics. …
• Makeup. …
• Toothpaste. …
• Fun Facts about the Inventions of Ancient Egypt.

What are the intermediate periods in Egyptian history?

Definition. The First Intermediate Period of Egypt (2181-2040 BCE) is the era which followed the Old Kingdom (c. 2613-2181 BCE) and preceded the Middle Kingdom (2040-1782 BCE) periods of Egyptian history. The name was given to the era by 19th-century CE Egyptologists, not by the ancient Egyptians.

How many periods were there in ancient Egypt?

three mainThe history of ancient Egypt is divided into three main periods: the Old Kingdom (about 2,700-2,200 B.C.E.), the Middle Kingdom (2,050-1,800 B.C.E.), and the New Kingdom (about 1,550-1,100 B.C.E.). The New Kingdom was followed by a period called the Late New Kingdom, which lasted to about 343 B.C.E.

How long was the Second Intermediate Period in Egypt?

Second Intermediate Period of EgyptCapitalAvaris (c. 1674 – c. 1535 BC, Fifteenth Dynasty of Egypt) Thebes (c. 1660 – c. 1600 BC, 16th Dynasty) Abydos (c. 1650 – c. 1600 BC, Abydos Dynasty)Common languagesAncient EgyptianReligionAncient Egyptian religionGovernmentMonarchy14 more rows

What does Intermediate period mean?

Intermediate Period means the period, if any, from the Commercial Operating Date until the beginning of the Operation Period.

What are the 4 periods of ancient Egypt?

Old Kingdom Egypt (2670-2168 BCE/BC) First Intermediate Period Egypt (2168-2010 BCE/BC) Middle Kingdom Egypt (2010-1640 BCE/BC) Second Intermediate Period Egypt (1640-1548)

What are the 3 major periods in ancient history?

Though there is evidence of settlers along the Nile River dating from almost 120,000 years ago, the history of ancient Egypt is generally divided into three major periods of stability: the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, and the New Kingdom.

What happened in the Third Intermediate Period?

The Third Intermediate Period of ancient Egypt began with the death of Pharaoh Ramesses XI in 1070 BCE. The period was one of decline and political instability. It coincided with the Late Bronze Age collapse of civilizations in the ancient Near East and Eastern Mediterranean (including the Greek Dark Ages).

Which intermediate period lasted the longest?

The First Intermediate Period, described as a 'dark period' in ancient Egyptian history, spanned approximately 125 years, c. 2181–2055 BC, after the end of the Old Kingdom....First Intermediate Period of EgyptPharaoh• c. 2181 BCMenkare (first)• c. 2069 BC – c. 2061 BCIntef III (last)History14 more rows

Why did the Second Intermediate Period End?

They lived cordially, if not exactly peacefully, with the government at Thebes until a perceived insult drove the Theban kings to declare war on them and they were driven out. Ahmose I's victory signaled the end of the Second Intermediate Period and the beginning of the New Kingdom.

What caused the First Intermediate Period?

Events Leading to the First Intermediate Period The Old Kingdom, which preceded this period, fell for numerous reasons. One was the extremely long reign of Pepi II (the last major king of the Sixth Dynasty), and the resulting succession issues. Another major problem was the rise in power of the provincial nomarchs.

Who ended the First Intermediate Period?

King Mentuhotep IIThe Theban king, King Mentuhotep II, defeated his unknown Herakleapolitan rival in about 2040, putting an end to the 1st Intermediate Period.

How did the Third Intermediate Period End?

End of the Third Intermediate Period Tantamani was defeated north of Memphis and Thebes was thoroughly sacked shortly after. The Kushite king withdrew to Nubia while the Assyrian influence in Upper Egypt quickly waned. Permanently weakened by the sack, Thebes peacefully submitted itself to Psamtik's fleet in 656 BC.

What was the time period of Egypt?

For almost 30 centuries—from its unification around 3100 B.C. to its conquest by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C.—ancient Egypt was the preeminent civilization in the Mediterranean world.

How many dynasties did Egypt have?

Egypt's 30 dynasties. Ancient Egypt's history has traditionally been divided into 30 (or sometimes 31) dynasties.

Who was the first female pharaoh?

SobeknefruDespite evidence that some women held kingly powers during the third millennium BC, the first universally accepted female pharaoh is Sobeknefru. Daughter of Amenemhat III, who she succeeded in c1789 BC to rule for approximately four years, Sobeknefru appeared on official king lists for centuries after her death.

When did the Egyptian period start and end?

This was the age of the pyramids, mummification and hieroglyphic writing. The dynastic period started with the reign of Egypt's first king, Narmer, in approximately 3100 BCE, and ended with the death of Cleopatra VII in 30 BCE.

How many periods are there in Egypt?

The period can be broken down into three major periods. Thus, spanning three major kingdoms (Old, Middle, and New), the story of ancient Egypt and their pharaohs is as old as time in itself.

What are the three periods of Egypt?

These periods are the Old Kingdom (c. 2686 – c. 2134 B.C.E); the Middle Kingdom (c. 2040 – c. 1640 B.C.E); and the New Kingdom (c. 1552 – c. 1070 B.C.E). The period before the Old Kingdom has often been referred to as the Pre-dynastic and the Early Dynastic eras of Egypt. In that vein, the period after the New Kingdom is often referred to as the Late Periods and the Greek and Roman eras.

Why did the Old Kingdom collapse?

However, the Old Kingdom came crashing down due to its over-centralized administrative structure.

What was the early dynastic period?

Early Dynastic Period (c. 3100 – c. 2686 B.C.E) The evolution of the Naqada culture introduced the Early Dynastic era , which stretched for about four centuries. This era had one of the greatest rulers of ancient Egypt called Menes ( Meni ).

How many dynasties were there in Egypt?

They were more or less like the dark ages of the ancient Egyptians. In total, the three main periods in Egyptian history had about 30 major dynasties. What happened was that a dynasty maintained a strong grip on the kingdom for a considerable number of years.

What is the period before the Old Kingdom?

The period before the Old Kingdom has often been referred to as the Pre-dynastic and the Early Dynastic eras of Egypt. In that vein, the period after the New Kingdom is often referred to as the Late Periods and the Greek and Roman eras.

How long did it take for Egypt to progress?

Ancient Egypt had one of the mightiest and most advanced cities and civilizations on earth. These advancements and progress took a period of about 3,000 years to occur.

What are the three main periods of Egyptian history?

What Are The 3 Main Periods Of Ancient Egyptian History? The Great Sphinx of Gaza was constructed during the Old Kingdom era of Egyptian history. Ancient Egyptian civilization dates back to approximately 3100 BC, during the Early Bronze Age. The civilization is renowned as one of the world's oldest and longest lasting civilizations, ...

What was the Old Kingdom of Egypt?

The Old Kingdom of ancient Egypt spanned between 2686 BC and 2181 BC. The period was also known as the "Age of the Pyramids", as it was characterized by the building of the Great Pyramids of Giza, as well as the Great Sphinx of Giza, which is a large sculpture that has the body of a lion and the head of a human, and is believed to represent the Pharaoh Khafre. The Old Kingdom included the Third Dynasty until the end of the Sixth Dynasty, which were considered a period of security and prosperity. This was followed by the Seventh and Eighth Dynasties, which were marked by decline, famine and poverty.

How long did Hatshepsut rule?

Hatshepsut was among the most successful female Pharaohs in Egypt and ruled for 22 years. During the reign of Amenhotep III, Egyptian prosperity, power, and art reached its peak, and included the building of the Temple of Luxor, which still exists.

Who were the rulers of Egypt during the Pharaohs?

Rulers that characterized this period included Amhose I, Tuthmosis I, Hatshepsut, Amenhotep III, Akhenaten, and Rameses II.

Which dynasty was the Middle Kingdom?

Middle Kingdom. The Middle Kingdom of ancient Egypt spanned the Eleventh and Twelfth Dynasties, and included the rule of Pharaoh Mentuhotep II and Pharaoh Amenemhet III. Mentuhotep II facilitated the reunification of Egypt following its collapse during the First Intermediate Period, and ultimately restoring political order in Egypt.

Where was the ancient Egyptian civilization located?

The ancient Egyptian civilization was based in North Africa along the lower part of the Nile River. The history of ancient Egypt can be divided into groups of dynasties and kingdoms. The three main "Kingdom" periods of Egyptian history are the Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, and New Kingdom.

What was Mentuhotep II's major activity?

Mentuhotep II also created a large mortuary complex. During this period, the population flourished in terms of art, such as jewelry making, massive construction projects, and trade.

First Intermediate Period: The Mysterious 7th And 8th Dynasties

Dynasties 7 and 8 are seldom discussed because very little is known about the kings of these periods. In fact, the actual existence of the 7th dynasty is debated. The only known historical account of this era comes from Manetho’s Aegyptiaca, a compiled history written in the 3rd century BC.

Dynasties 9 And 10: The Herakleopolitan Period

The 9th dynasty was founded at Herakleopolis in Lower Egypt and continued through the 10th dynasty; eventually, these two periods of rule became known as the Herakleopolitan Dynasty. These Herakleopolitan kings supplanted the rulership of the 8th dynasty in Memphis, but archaeological evidence of this transition is virtually non-existent.

Dynasty 11: Rise Of The Theban Kings

During the first half of the 11th dynasty, Thebes controlled Upper Egypt only. Around ca. 2125 BC, a Theban nomarch by the name of Intef came into power and challenged Herakleopolitan rulership. Known as the founder of the 11th dynasty, Intef I began the movement that would eventually lead to the reconsolidation of the country.

First Intermediate Period Art And Architecture

As mentioned in the paragraph above, while the working class could finally afford to participate in events previously limited to the upper class, it came at the cost of the finished product’s overall quality. Goods were not of as high quality because they were being mass-produced.

The Truth About The First Intermediate Period

The First Intermediate Period came about due to a shift in the power dynamic; Old Kingdom rulers no longer held enough power to competently govern Egypt. Provincial governors replaced the weak central rulership and began to rule their own districts.

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By Ariadne Argyros MA Egyptology, BA Anthropology & Classics Ariadne is a contributing writer who graduated with her MA degree in Egyptology from the University of Chicago in 2020, and holds BAs in Anthropology and Classics from the University of Vermont.

The Nature of the First Intermediate Period

During the time of the Old Kingdom, the rulers diverted enormous resources into mortuary complexes such as that at Giza plateau with its famous pyramids. As these elaborate complexes became more numerous, they required more priests and functionaries to care for them.

The Lack of Records & the Ipuwer Papyrus

The most serious difficulty in understanding this period is obviously the lack of historical records. The Old Kingdom had preserved Egypt's history in stone through the construction of the pyramids and mortuary complexes, which told their stories.

The Two Kingdoms

The claim of turmoil and alleged chaos does have some historical support, however, and comes from the lack of a single strong central government and the division of rule between two kingdoms: Herakleopolis of Lower Egypt and Thebes of Upper Egypt.

The Rise of Thebes & Reunification

C. 2125 BCE a Theban nomarch named Intef, who carried the usual epithets of "great overlord" of the nome and "overseer of priests," rose in power at Thebes and challenged the authority of Herakliopolitan rulers. Intef I founded the 11th Dynasty of Egypt and began the impetus which would lead to the reunification of the country.

What were the 15th and 16th dynasties?

The Fifteenth and Sixteenth Dynasties were thus foreign ones, founded by one Salitis. They did not impose a foreign system of government and assimilated themselves to the existing Egyptian system. This aceptance o previous practice even extended to the keeping of official records in Egyptian script, using Egyptian royal titles and copying Egyptian styles in their art.

How long did the thirteenth dynasty last?

For the first time, the Egyptians found themselves under the rule of foreigners. In fact, the thirteenth Dynasty did not disappear for a further twenty years, but it controlled less and less of the land, becoming less and less consequential, until it simply disappeared from history followed by a short – lived, local Fourteenth Dynasty.

The Hyksos Arrival in Egypt

The period is chiefly characterized by the rule of the Hyksos in northern Egypt and, to a lesser but significant degree, the power of the Nubians in the south.

The Decline of the Middle Kingdom & Rise of the Hyksos

The 12th Dynasty of Egypt during the Middle Kingdom is considered a golden age in the country's history. Literature and the arts flourished, trade and military conquests made Egypt rich, fortified borders provided security, and the kings of the time maintained a stability and encouraged creativity and diversity.

The Nubian Kingdom of the South

King Senusret III (c. 1878-1860 BCE), the most powerful Egyptian ruler of the Middle Kingdom, led numerous expeditions south into Nubia, securing the land and fortifying the borders between the two countries. He garrisoned these forts with Egyptian soldiers, thus sealing the border and regulating immigration.

Relations Between Egyptians, Hyksos, & Nubians

Egypt's situation at this time (c. 1700-1600 BCE) was a divided nation of three central powers, but contrary to the view of 19th and early 20th century CE scholars, it was not a time of chaos or unrest. As noted, trade continued between the Kingdom of Kush and Thebes, between Kush and the Hyksos, and between Thebes and the Hyksos.

Thebes vs. Avaris

The Egyptian king Seqenenra Taa (also known as Ta'O, c. 1580 BCE) of the 17th Dynasty led an expedition against the Hyksos c. 1560 BCE according to later writers. His mummy, discovered in the cemetery near the Valley of the Kings by Thebes, shows he was most likely killed in battle. He "died violently at an age between 30 and 40 years.

Kamose of Thebes

Following Ta'O's death, his son Kamose (c. 1575 BCE) ruled at Thebes. He continued the war with the Hyksos citing as his justification the fact that he was a true Egyptian, who should not have to share his country with foreign powers. An inscription from Kamose reads:

Ahmose I & the Unification of Egypt

Ahmose I is credited with driving the Hyksos from Egypt and reuniting the country under the central rule of Thebes. Historian Margaret Bunson, drawing on the stele account at Karnak, writes how Ahmose I "ran the Asiatics out of Egypt, pursuing them to Sharuhen and then into Syria" (80).

What is the first intermediate period?

The First Intermediate Period was traditionally described as a low point in ancient Egyptian history, largely because the information we have regarding this period is sketchy and often contradictory but also because to some it marks a nadir in Egyptian culture, art, and architecture.

Did Pepi II collapse?

It is generally agreed that the centralised state collapsed shortly after the rule of Pepi II. Pepi was in his nineties when he passed away. He survived many of his heirs but left a large number of people with tenuous claims to the throne and there were significant successional difficulties following his departure.

A Brief Look at The Timeline of Ancient Egypt

The Old Kingdom Period

The fall of the Old Kingdom is often described as a period of chaos and disorder by some literature in the First Intermediate Period, but mostly by the literature of successive eras of ancient Egyptian history. The causes that brought about the downfall of the Old Kingdom are numerous, but some are merely hypothetical. One reason that is often quoted is the extremely long reign of Pepi II, the last major pharaoh of the 6th Dynasty. He ruled from his childhood until he was very elderly, possi…

The Middle Kingdom Period

The New Kingdom Period