The Middle Kingdom 2055 to 1650 B.C.E.
While the First Intermediate Period took place, new powers began to emerge sparking rival dynasties between Heracleopolis (Lower Egypt) and Thebes (Upper Egypt). Not long after the rivalry began, the King of Thebes, Mentuhotep, defeated the ruler of Heracleopolis and reunited all of Egypt under one rule. This began the Middle Kingdom and a new period of stability, which lasted from 2055 to 1650 B.C.E.
The Middle Kingdom has been labeled by historians as a the Golden Age due to the economic, social and political stability of the time period. Trading, arts and literature all flourished in the Middle Kingdom. Nubia became the main trading spot along the Nile, which served as a means of transportation for, ivory, ebony, leopard skins and ostrich plumes. The Nubians were able to exchange their commodities and their slaves for manufactured goods and weapons.
Each province, also referred to as a nome, was essentially an independent city-state governed by a Nomarch. Duties of the Nomarchs included collecting taxes and recruitment of labor forces for royal projects.
A noticeable difference between the Old and Middle Kingdom was that of the view of the Pharaohs. In the Old Kingdom the pharaoh had been viewed as an inaccessible god-king, while now he was shown as the “shepherd of his people” charged with the task of building public works and producing for the welfare of Egyptians.
Instead of building pyramids as Egyptians did in the Old Kingdom, when pharaohs died they were placed and buried in hidden tombs. Their tombs were buried all over Egypt making it difficult for intruders to find and steal.
One Pharaoh explained:
“He (a particular god) created me as one who should do that which he is done, and to carry out that which he commanded should be done. He appointed me herdsman of this land, for he knew who would keep it in order for him.”
Throughout the Old and Middle Kingdoms Egyptian society was organized along hierarchical lines with the god-king at the top. The king had his nobles and priests around him as well as much of the upper class. The upper class held jobs such as merchants and artisans while the lower class were serfs who worked on the lands as well as the majority of people within the society.
The Middle Kingdom has been labeled by historians as a the Golden Age due to the economic, social and political stability of the time period. Trading, arts and literature all flourished in the Middle Kingdom. Nubia became the main trading spot along the Nile, which served as a means of transportation for, ivory, ebony, leopard skins and ostrich plumes. The Nubians were able to exchange their commodities and their slaves for manufactured goods and weapons.
Each province, also referred to as a nome, was essentially an independent city-state governed by a Nomarch. Duties of the Nomarchs included collecting taxes and recruitment of labor forces for royal projects.
A noticeable difference between the Old and Middle Kingdom was that of the view of the Pharaohs. In the Old Kingdom the pharaoh had been viewed as an inaccessible god-king, while now he was shown as the “shepherd of his people” charged with the task of building public works and producing for the welfare of Egyptians.
Instead of building pyramids as Egyptians did in the Old Kingdom, when pharaohs died they were placed and buried in hidden tombs. Their tombs were buried all over Egypt making it difficult for intruders to find and steal.
One Pharaoh explained:
“He (a particular god) created me as one who should do that which he is done, and to carry out that which he commanded should be done. He appointed me herdsman of this land, for he knew who would keep it in order for him.”
Throughout the Old and Middle Kingdoms Egyptian society was organized along hierarchical lines with the god-king at the top. The king had his nobles and priests around him as well as much of the upper class. The upper class held jobs such as merchants and artisans while the lower class were serfs who worked on the lands as well as the majority of people within the society.
The Great Pyramids of Egypt
Part of the Middle Kingdom of Egypt
