-During the middle kingdom trade along the Nile flourished, mainly with the people from Nubia, Levant, and Palestinians. [25] These visits were made for trade, using donkey caravans in which Egyptian goods were exported and traded for those of Yam.
Full Answer
Who did Middle Kingdom Egypt trade with?
Key Points. Trade was occurring in the 5th century BCE onwards, especially with Canaan, Lebanon, Nubia and Punt. Just before the First Dynasty, Egypt had a colony in southern Canaan that produced Egyptian pottery for export to Egypt.
How did Middle Kingdom pharaohs help traders?
Trade was assisted by the pharaohs of the Middle Kingdom through creating and maintaining diplomatic channels or by expanding territorial holdings through military conquest.
What empires did ancient Egypt trade with?
for three millennia ancient Egypt traded countless goods with various kingdoms like Nubia, Kush, and Punt.
What did Egyptians trade with other civilizations?
They traded gold, papyrus, linen, and grain for cedar wood, ebony, copper, iron, ivory, and lapis lazuli (a lovely blue gem stone.) Ships sailed up and down the Nile River, bringing goods to various ports. Once goods were unloaded, goods were hauled to various merchants by camel, cart, and on foot.
What did the Middle Kingdom trade?
In the middle kingdom (2134-1690 BC) Nubian gold and minerals became valuable trade goods.
Which pharaoh is known for trade?
The pharaoh Hatshepsut ruled from about 1473 to 1458 B.C. Hatshepsut was Egypt's first female pharaoh. Under her rule, Egyptian art and architecture flourished. She was also known for encouraging trade.
Did the Egyptians trade with Asia?
With 7,000 years of history, Egypt has long been at the center of global commerce and at the axis of trade routes linking Asia, Europe and Africa.
What African kingdom did Egypt trade with?
In this lesson, you learned about the African kingdom of Kush. Kush had a complicated relationship with ancient Egypt, its neighbor to the north. Kush's Early Interactions with Egypt Kush's location on the Nile River and its natural resources made it a trade center.
Did Egypt and Mesopotamia trade with each other?
From Local to International Trade By the time of the First Dynasty of Egypt (c. 3150 - c. 2890 BCE) trade was already long established with Mesopotamia.
Did China trade with Egypt?
China is also Egypt's main import partner (US$13.3 billion as of 2022). The two countries will soon focus on cooperation in strategic industries such as AI, space technology, and e-commerce.
Did the Egyptians trade with money?
While Egyptians did not use currency, they did use a unit of measure that made trading easier. This was the deben. Literally a small token of copper, the deben was used as a measurement to facilitate trade of different items.
Did Indians trade with Egyptians?
Ancient Egyptian trade consisted of the gradual creation of land and sea trade routes connecting the ancient Egyptian civilization with ancient India, the Fertile Crescent, Arabia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
What was the role of the pharaoh in the Middle Kingdom?
The pharaohs of the time built a powerful standing army that protected the country from outside invaders and maintained control of the government. The greatest point of economic prosperity came during the reign of Pharaoh Amenemhat III which lasted for 45 years.
How did the pharaohs help the people?
Maintaining religious harmony and participating in ceremonies were part of the pharaoh's role as head of the religion. As a statesman, the pharaoh made laws, waged war, collected taxes, and oversaw all the land in Egypt (which was owned by the pharaoh).
Why was trading important in the Middle Ages?
Trade led to alliances between towns, each town specializing in different crops and relying on each other for their supplies. The distinction between classes became less pronounced as people were trading and able to get exactly what they needed without working quite as hard.
What was important about the Middle Kingdom in ancient Egypt?
The Middle Kingdom was a time of achievements for the ancient Egyptians. Art took on new styles and techniques, like the block style, where art was produced from large blocks of stone. Irrigation projects at the Faiyum, a large oasis on the west bank of the Nile in Lower Egypt, increased harvests.
How long did Mentuhotep III rule?
Mentuhotep III reigned for only twelve years, during which he continued consolidating Theban rule over the whole of Egypt, building a series of forts in the eastern Delta region to secure Egypt against threats from Asia. He also sent the first expedition to Punt during the Middle Kingdom, using ships constructed at the end of Wadi Hammamat, on the Red Sea. Mentuhotep III was succeeded by Mentuhotep IV, whose name, significantly, is omitted from all ancient Egyptian king lists. The Turin Papyrus claims that after Mentuhotep III came "seven kingless years". Despite this absence, his reign is attested from a few inscriptions in Wadi Hammamat that record expeditions to the Red Sea coast and to quarry stone for the royal monuments. The leader of this expedition was his vizier Amenemhat, who is widely assumed to be the future pharaoh Amenemhet I, the first king of the Twelfth Dynasty.
Why did the Nile River collapse?
Throughout the history of ancient Egypt, the annual inundation of the Nile River was relied upon to fertilize the land surrounding it. This was essential for agriculture and food production. There is evidence that the collapse of the previous Old Kingdom may have been due in part to low flood levels, resulting in famine. This trend appears to have been reversed during the early years of the Middle Kingdom, with relatively high water levels recorded for much of this era, with an average inundation of 19 meters above its non-flood levels. The years of repeated high inundation levels correspond to the most prosperous period of the Middle Kingdom, which occurred during the reign of Amenemhat III. This seems to be confirmed in some of the literature of the period, such as in the Instructions of Amenemhat, where the king tells his son how agriculture prospered under his reign.
How long did the Middle Kingdom last?
The Middle Kingdom lasted from approximately 2040 to 1782 BC , stretching from the reunification of Egypt under the reign of Mentuhotep II in the Eleventh Dynasty to the end of the Twelfth Dynasty. The kings of the Eleventh Dynasty ruled from Thebes and the kings of the Twelfth Dynasty ruled from el-Lisht .
When did the Hyksos enter Egypt?
A group of West Asiatic peoples (possibly Canaanites and precursors of the future Hyksos) depicted entering Egypt circa 1900 BC. From the tomb of a 12th dynasty official Khnumhotep II under pharaohs Amenemhat II and Senusret II, at Beni Hasan.
What was the Middle Kingdom's military strategy?
However, the Middle Kingdom was basically defensive in its military strategy, with fortifications built at the First Cataract of the Nile, in the Delta and across the Sinai Isthmus.
What was the most important deity in the Middle Kingdom?
During the Middle Kingdom period, Osiris became the most important deity in popular religion. The Middle Kingdom was followed by the Second Intermediate Period of Egypt, another period of division that involved foreign invasions of the country by the Hyksos of West Asia.
What is the period of reunification in Egypt?
Periodization of Ancient Egypt. v. t. e. The Middle Kingdom of Egypt (also known as The Period of Reunification) is the period in the history of ancient Egypt following a period of political division known as the First Intermediate Period. The Middle Kingdom lasted from approximately 2040 to 1782 BC, stretching from the reunification ...
What were the acts of the Middle Kingdom Pharaohs?
Acts of the Middle Kingdom Pharaohs. Mentuhotep II made military campaigns in Nubia, which Egypt had lost by the 1st Intermediate Period. So did Senusret I under whom Buhen became Egypt's southern border. Mentuhotep III was the first Middle Kingdom ruler to send an expedition to Punt for incense.
Where did Senusret III campaign?
Senusret III (c.1870-1831) campaigned in Nubia and built fortresses. He (and Mentuhotep II) campaigned in Palestine. He may have gotten rid of the nomarchs who had helped cause the breakdown leading to the 1st Intermediate Period.
What was Amenemhat III's role in the Nile Delta?
Amenemhat III (c.1831-1786) engaged in mining operations that made heavy use of Asiatics and may have led to the settling of Hyksos in the Nile Delta . At Fayum a dam was built to channel Nile overflow into a natural lake to be used as needed for irrigation.
Where was the capital of the Middle Kingdom?
Middle Kingdom Capital. When 1st Intermediate Period Theban king Nebhepetra Mentuhotep II (2055-2004) reunited Egypt, the capital was at Thebes. Twelfth Dynasty king Amenemhat moved the capital to a new town, Amenemhat-itj -tawy (Itjtawy), in the Faiyum region, possibly near the necropolis at Lisht. The capital remained at Itjtawy ...
What were the three types of burials in the Middle Kingdom?
During the Middle Kingdom, there were three types of burials: surface graves, with or without coffin. shaft graves, usually with coffin. tombs with coffin and sarcophagus. Mentuhotep II's mortuary monument was at Deir-el-Bahri in western Thebes. It was not the saff-tomb type of previous Theban rulers nor the reversion to Old Kingdom types ...
How long did the 12th dynasty last?
Her rule of Upper and Lower Egypt, lasting 3 years, 10 months and 24 days, according to the Turin Canon, was the last one in the 12th Dynasty.
What dynasty was Egypt in?
It was composed of part of the 11th Dynasty, the 12th Dynasty, and current scholars add the first half of the 13th Dynasty. Predynastic Egypt. Pharaohs of the Predynastic Period, Old Kingdom and Middle Kingdom.
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Collection
Peoples, cities and states have traded since antiquity but in the medieval period, things escalated so that goods travelled ever greater distances by land, river and sea. Great cities arose thanks to commerce and international trade such as Constantinople, Venice and Cairo.
About the Author
Mark is a history writer based in Italy. His special interests include pottery, architecture, world mythology and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share in common. He holds an MA in Political Philosophy and is the Publishing Director at WHE.
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Uploaded by Mark Cartwright, published on 21 August 2019 under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms.
Why is China called the Middle Kingdom?
Following the Chinese Civil War, the country’s official name was changed to the People’s Republic of China. However, the term “Middle Kingdom” is still popularly used in China, particularly to highlight the country’s significance to the world.
What is the middle kingdom of China?
China is known as the "Middle Kingdom". China is one of the world's oldest civilizations and boasts a rich cultural and political history. Located in East Asia, China is the most populous country in the world, with more than 1.4 billion inhabitants.
What is the meaning of the term "China"?
As China transformed into a more unified empire, the term was used to refer to the region where the emperor lived, and its population believed that the empire was located in the middle of the world.
How big is China?
Additionally, China covers an area of approximately 3.7 million sq mi, making it the 3rd or 4th most extensive country in the world. China emerged in the fertile basin of the Yellow River, and since its founding, the country has been fractured, expanded, and re-unified several times, including the Chinese Civil War, ...
Where did the name Zhongguo come from?
Within China, the country is referred to as Zhongguo, which is derived from the words Zhong and guo, meaning "central" and "state", respectively. ...
Where did the name Middle Kingdom come from?
Origin of the Name “Middle Kingdom”. Throughout its history, China has been known by several names. Currently, the country’s official name is the People’s Republic of China. “China” is the country’s English name, which has been used since the 16th century. However, the name did not emerge in China, but can be traced back to the Sanskrit word Cina, ...
Is China a middle country?
The word also translates into English as "Middle Kingdom.". Therefore, China is also sometimes referred to as the Middle Kingdom.
What were the goods traded in ancient Egypt?
The kinds of goods traded varied from region to region. Egypt had grain in plenty, and would eventually become known as ' Rome 's breadbasket' during the Roman period, but lacked wood, metal, and other precious stones needed for amulets, jewelry, and other ornamentation. Gold was mined by slaves primarily in Nubia and Egypt's neighboring kings often sent letters requesting vast quantities be sent. The journeys to Nubia were not always easy. Yam was located far to the south, and a caravan had to endure threats from bandits, regional rulers, and nature in the form of floods or windstorms.
What was the most important trade center in the Mediterranean region?
A little after the time Wenamun was written, the Greek city of Naucratis was established in Egypt, which would be the most important trade center in the country, and among the most vital in the Mediterranean region until it was overshadowed by Alexandria. Greece, Egypt, and other nations would trade goods as well as cultural beliefs through cities like Naucratis and the overland and sea routes, and in this way, trade enlarged and elevated every nation which participated in ways far more significant than simple economic exchange.
What was the trade expedition that brought back valuable items?
Hatshepsut organized the best-known trade expedition to Punt (modern-day Somalia) which brought back boatloads of valuable items, including incense-bearing trees, but this kind of profit from trade was nothing new. The trade initiated during the Old Kingdom of Egypt helped fund the pyramids of Giza and countless other monuments. The difference between Old Kingdom and New Kingdom trade was that the New Kingdom was far more interested in luxury items and, the more they became acquainted with, the more they wanted.
What was the economy of ancient Egypt?
For most of its history, ancient Egypt's economy operated on a barter system without cash. It was not until the Persian Invasion of 525 BCE that a cash economy was instituted in the country. Prior to this time, trade flourished through an exchange of goods and services based on a standard of value both parties considered fair.
What was the trade between the Old Kingdom and the New Kingdom?
The difference between Old Kingdom and New Kingdom trade was that the New Kingdom was far more interested in luxury items and , the more they became acquainted with, the more they wanted.
What was the New Kingdom?
The period of the New Kingdom was the time of Egypt's empire when trade was most lucrative and contributed to the wealth necessary to build monuments like the Temple of Karnak, the Colossi of Memnon, and the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut.
What countries did the First Dynasty trade with?
By the time of the First Dynasty, international trade had been initiated with the regions of the Levant, Libya, and Nubia. Egypt had a trading colony in Canaan, a number in Syria, and even more in Nubia.
What was the Middle Kingdom's dramatic shift?
Much of our fascination with the Middle Kingdom lies in the dramatic shift that occurred in mid- to late Dynasty 12, during the reigns of Senwosret II, Senwosret III, and Amenemhat III. Unfortunately, no text explains these transformations, which are manifested in the remains of architecture, tombs and their grave goods, relief decoration, literature, and, most vividly, the sculpted faces of the kings and their courtiers ( 56.136 ). These changes must reflect profound alterations in religious beliefs and practices, the king’s role as a political and spiritual leader, and the relationship between the king and his people.
What was the name of the new capital of the Old Kingdom?
The early Middle Kingdom revival of Old Kingdom forms continued at the start of Dynasty 12 under kings Amenemhat I and Senwosret I , when a new capital was established in the north at Itjtawi, near the center of Old Kingdom political power. Sculpture, relief, painting, and architecture show clear affinities with Old Kingdom traditions, though some influence of Dynasty 11 remains ( 08.200.5 ). During these reigns the building of pyramid complexes resumed, accompanied by mastabas constructed as memorials and burial places for the elite.
What happened to nomarchs in Senwosret III?
Beyond the religious sphere, around the reign of Senwosret III the political office of nomarch, or regional governor, was suppressed or phased out, a development that corresponded to the disappearance of elaborately decorated regional tombs.
What was the importance of monumentality in the Middle Kingdom?
During the Middle Kingdom, monumentality achieved a greater balance between architecture and sculpture. While large temples, pyramid complexes, and tomb superstructures were built, none of these buildings had the same massiveness as their Old or New Kingdom counterparts. At the same time, overlifesize and monumental sculptures—largely, though not exclusively, depicting the pharaoh—became widespread ( L.2011.42 ). Monumentality was a device used by Middle Kingdom kings to stress their dominion over the entire country.
Why did the Nile floods collapse?
The collapse was perhaps the result of poor harvests caused by low Nile floods, although the reasons have been debated. Political power coalesced around two centers, Herakleopolis in the north and Thebes in the south, with the southern rulers eventually defeating the Herakleopolitans ( 57.95 ).
What is Middle Kingdom art?
Although within the norms of Egyptian representation, southern Theban art at the very beginning of the Middle Kingdom displays distinct local traits, including figures with attenuated limbs and emphasized eyes, and forms with a high degree of interior patterning ( 14.2.7 ). Some two-dimensional representations that seem to have little precedent are particular to the Theban area, including depictions of intriguing rites connected with the goddess Hathor and the beautification of queens. Tombs and temple have dramatic pillared facades, and these are set against the sheer limestone cliffs that are an impressive feature of the southern landscape. As the reunification of the country proceeded under Mentuhotep II ( 26.3.29 ), and closer connections were established with the north and its traditions, Theban artworks melded the styles and iconography of the two regions.
How long did the Middle Kingdom rule?
The final era of Middle Kingdom transformation occurred in Dynasty 13, when about fifty kings ruled over approximately 150 years. While a few occupied the throne for longer periods, some reigned for a year or less. Kingship in Dynasty 13 certainly did not pass serially from father to son or even within a single family, but rather seems to have circulated among the leading families. It is unclear what happened to these short-reigning kings. One might speculate that the role of the king had become largely ceremonial, with rotating pharaohs serving for a limited amount of time and high-ranking officials wielding true political power. But surviving records do not substantiate such practices.
What did the Egyptians use to make ships?
The ancient Egyptians imported cedar wood which was used for the creation of naval ships defending the country against any foreign forces like the sea people. They also imported numerous variety hardwoods like ebony, fragrant wood from Africa.
How did the Egyptians control the flow of goods?
Ancient Egypt was successful in controlling the flow of goods to all over the world from Africa to Europe and the near east, they transported their merchandise by ship as in the Ptolemaic dynasty the lighthouse of Alexandria was constructed to symbolize the extreme value and importance of shipbuilding and sea trade as the lighthouse was used to facilitate and increase the goods transported from all the corners of Africa, but the ancient Egyptians also resorted to other methods as the limitations of the ships rigging prevented them from sailing into the wind and the storms of the Mediterranean and the red sea & the cataracts of the Nile.
What did the ancient Egyptians use as incense?
The land of the punt was the main source of resins of myrrh, frankincense, and fragrant wood which was used as incense and the preparation of certain products. They imported lapis lazuli from the northern land of Kush in Bactria.
What wood did the Egyptians use for their ships?
The ancient Egyptians imported cedar wood which was used for the creation of naval ships defending the country against any foreign forces like the sea people. They also imported numerous variety hardwoods like ebony, fragrant wood from Africa.
What did ancient Egypt trade?
for three millennia ancient Egypt traded countless goods with various kingdoms like Nubia, Kush, and Punt.
What were the animals that were brought to Egypt?
Many animal products from the west and south Africa found its ways to Egypt like Ivory, ostrich feathers & eggs, leopard, and lion skins. Many cattle and animals were introduced to the ancient Egyptian kingdom like horses which appeared for the first time in the 13 th dynasty which was highly famous in the time of the Hyksos, chickens were brought from India in the new kingdom, and camels became very common in Egypt during the Persian conquest. Also, a number of domestic animals were introduced to Egypt since prehistoric times such as donkeys, goats, sheep, dogs, and cats.
What were the trade goods of the Middle Kingdom?
In the middle kingdom (2134-1690 BC) Nubian gold and minerals became valuable trade goods. During the new kingdom (1549-1069 BC) the import of bronze and exotic woods plus the restoration of historical trade routes and networks, towards the end of the new kingdom between 672 BC and 332 BC Egypt fell under the control and conquest of Assyria, ...
Overview
Political history
After the collapse of the Old Kingdom, Egypt entered a period of weak pharaonic power and decentralization called the First Intermediate Period. Towards the end of this period, two rival dynasties, known in Egyptology as the Tenth and Eleventh, fought for control of the entire country. The Theban Eleventh Dynasty only ruled southern Egypt from the First Cataract to the Tenth Nome of Upper E…
Administration
When the Eleventh Dynasty reunified Egypt it had to create a centralized administration such as had not existed in Egypt since the downfall of the Old Kingdom government. To do this, it appointed people to positions which had fallen out of use in the decentralized First Intermediate Period. Highest among these was the vizier. The vizier was the chief minister for the king, handling all …
Agriculture and climate
Throughout the history of ancient Egypt, the annual inundation of the Nile River was relied upon to fertilize the land surrounding it. This was essential for agriculture and food production. There is evidence that the collapse of the previous Old Kingdom may have been due in part to low flood levels, resulting in famine. This trend appears to have been reversed during the early years of the Middle Kingdom, with relatively high water levels recorded for much of this era, with an average …
Art
After the reunification of Egypt in the Middle Kingdom, the kings of the Eleventh and Twelfth Dynasties were able to turn their focus back to art. In the Eleventh Dynasty, the kings had their monuments made in a style influenced by the Memphite models of the Fifth and early Sixth Dynasty. During this time, the pre-unification Theban relief style all but disappeared. These changes had an ideol…
Literature
Richard B. Parkinson and Ludwig D. Morenz write that ancient Egyptian literature—narrowly defined as belles-lettres ("beautiful writing")—were not recorded in written form until the early Twelfth Dynasty. Old Kingdom texts served mainly to maintain the divine cults, preserve souls in the afterlife, and document accounts for practical uses in daily life. It was not until the Middle Kingdom that texts were written for the purpose of entertainment and intellectual curiosity. Parki…
Bibliography
• Aldred, Cyril (1987). The Egyptians. Thames and Hudson.
• Arnold, Dorothea (1991). "Amenemhet I and the Early Twelfth Dynasty at Thebes". Metropolitan Museum Journal. 26: 5–48. doi:10.2307/1512902. JSTOR 1512902. S2CID 191398579.
• Bell, Barbara (1975). "Climate and the History of Egypt: The Middle Kingdom". American Journal of Archaeology. Archaeological Institute of America. 79 (3): 223–269. doi:10.2307/503481. JSTOR 503481. S2CID 192999731.
Further reading
• Allen, James P. Middle Egyptian Literature: Eight Literary Works of the Middle Kingdom. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2015.
• Bourriau, Janine. Pharaohs and Mortals: Egyptian Art in the Middle Kingdom. Cambridge, UK: Fitzwilliam Museum, 1988.
• Grajetzki, Wolfgang. The Middle Kingdom of Ancient Egypt: History, Archaeology and Society. Bristol, UK: Golden House, 2006.
Middle Kingdom Capital
Middle Kingdom Burials
- During the Middle Kingdom, there were three types of burials: 1. surface graves, with or without coffin 2. shaft graves, usually with coffin 3. tombs with coffin and sarcophagus. Mentuhotep II's mortuary monument was at Deir-el-Bahri in western Thebes. It was not the saff-tomb type of previous Theban rulers nor the reversion to Old Kingdom types of 12th Dynasty rulers. It had terr…
Acts of The Middle Kingdom Pharaohs
- Mentuhotep II made military campaigns in Nubia, which Egypt had lost by the 1st Intermediate Period. So did Senusret I under whom Buhen became Egypt's southern border. Mentuhotep III was the first Middle Kingdom ruler to send an expedition to Punt for incense. He also built fortifications at Egypt's northeastern border. Senusret instituted the practice of building of monu…
Feudal Hierarchy of The Middle Kingdom
- There were still nomarchs in the Middle Kingdom, but they were no longer independent and lost power over the period. Under the pharaoh was the vizier, his chief minister, although there may have been 2 at times. There were also chancellor, overseer, and governors of Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt. Towns had mayors. The bureaucracy was supported by taxes assessed in kind o…
Osiris, Death, and Religion
- In the Middle Kingdom, Osiris became the god of the necropolises. Pharaohs had participated in mystery rites for Osiris, but now [rivate individuals also took part in these rites. During this period, all people were thought to have the spiritual force or ba. Like the rites of Osiris, this had formerly been the province of kings. Shabtis were introduced. Mummies were given cartonnage masks. …
Female Pharaoh
- There was a female pharaoh in the 12th Dynasty, Sobekneferu/Neferusobek, daughter of Amenemhat III, and possibly half-sister of Amenemhet IV. Sobekneferu (or possibly Nitocris of the 6th Dynasty) was the first ruling queen of Egypt. Her rule of Upper and Lower Egypt, lasting 3 years, 10 months and 24 days, according to the Turin Canon, was the last one in the 12th Dynas…
Sources
- The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt. by Ian Shaw. OUP 2000. Detlef Franke "Middle Kingdom" The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt. Ed. Donald B. Redford, OUP 2001