Name ___________________________
Social Studies—Period _____________
Date __________________________
Teacher _______________________
Chapter Two: Ancient Egypt
Section Three: The Egyptian Empire (Pages 59-67)
Overview
During the Old Kingdom, Egyptians established their civilization. During the Middle Kingdom and the
New Kingdom, Egypt’s powerful pharaohs expanded the empire by conquering other lands. The Middle
Kingdom was a golden age of peace, prosperity, and advances in arts and architecture. During the New
Kingdom, Egypt acquired new territory and reached the height of its power.
Directions: Identify the vocabulary term or place that matches each definition. Then record these words
and definitions in your vocabulary notebook.
Vocabulary Term/Places
Thebes
Tribute
Hyksos
Ahmose
Hatsehpsut
Incense
Thutmose III
Akhenaton
King Tutankhamen
Ramses II
Definitions
The capital city during Egypt’s Middle
Kingdom period
Forced payments made to the pharaoh by
conquered peoples
Mighty warriors from western Asia who used
horse-drawn chariots and bronze and iron
weapons to defeat the Egyptians
An Egyptian prince who drove the Hyksos out
of Egypt. His reign began the period known as
the New Kingdom
The Egyptian queen who ruled from 1503 B.C.
– 1482 B.C who was more interested in trade
than conquest and expanded Egypt’s economy
A material burned for its pleasant smell
Hatshepsut’s nephew who became pharaoh and
expanded Egypt’s borders north to the
Euphrates River in Mesopotamia.
Amenhotep changed his name to this which
means “Spirit of Aton”
The boy who became pharaoh at about ten
years old
Pharaoh who ruled for almost 66 years. He
regained territory and built great temples.
What Did You Learn?
1. What improvements did the Middle Kingdom rulers make?
-Added more waterways and dams for irrigation.
-Increased the amount of land used for farming.
-Built a canal between Nile River and Red Sea.
-Improved art and architecture.
2. What purposes did temples serve in Egypt?
-Houses for gods and goddesses.
-Places for priests to perform rituals, banks, and warehouses.
3. Complete the chart by filling in details about Egypt’s Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom.
Middle Kingdom
New Kingdom
2050 B.C. – 1670 B.C.
1550 B.C. – 1080 B.C.
Important People:
Important People:
Hyksos
Hatsehpsut
Thutmose III
Ahmose
Akhenaton
Tutkhamen
Ramses II
Accomplishments:
Accomplishments:
-Added more waterways and dams.
-Trade – brought wealth
-Increased land for farming.
(gold, ivory, ebony and incense)
-Improved art and architecture.
-Conquest
-Built a canal between Nile River and Red Sea.
-Tut’s treasures in tomb
-Rebuilding program under Ramses II constructed
several new temples.
4. What was unusual about the reign of Hatshepsut?
She was the first woman to rule Egypt in her own right.
Read the biography on page 63 and make a list of Hatshepsut’s strengths as a leader. Then choose a
present-day female leader and list her leadership strengths.
Hatshepsut
Present-day leader
Write a paragraph comparing their similarities and differences.
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5. How did Akhenaton upset the traditional order?
He stopped worship of old gods in favor of one god.
6. Describe the similarities and differences between the rule of Hatshepsut and Ramses II.
Similar: built many temples.
Different: Hatshepsut increased Egypt’s wealth through trade.
Ramses II waged war to expand the empire.
7. Respond: Which of the rulers discussed in this section do you think had the greatest effect upon
Egyptian history? Explain your answer using specific examples.
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Main Ideas:
 During the Middle kingdom, Egypt expanded its borders, and the arts flourished.
 Under New Kingdom rulers, Egypt built a strong empire and expanded trade.
 Akhenaton failed in his attempt to create a new religion. Tutankhamen ruled briefly but
gained fame because of treasures found buried with him.
 Ramses II was Egypt’s last great pharaoh. In the 900’s B.C., Egypt lost power to outside
invaders.

Death mask of Tutankhamen
II
Hatshepsut
The Great Temple of Ramses