Egypt's Middle Kingdom Directions: Read and annotate the following. Write the central idea for each paragraph in the box. Then answer the questions below. In 2040BC, King Mentuhotep of the 1th dynasty reunited Egypt. The nomarchs lost power and the pharaoh gained total control. Mentuhotep created a centralized monarchy and made Thebes the capital. This began the Middle Kingdom of Egypt. Things went well for Egypt during this time. The country became prosperous. New quarries were developed in order to build more temples and other structures. They built dams and reservoirs to manage flood water. They expanded their kingdom south to Nubia. Egyptians brought gold, ivory, and slaves from Nubia. They also expanded trade which brought wealth and peace to Egypt. Egyptians had time to create works of art, build temples, develop crafts, and practice their religion. The Middle Kingdom ended when Egypt was conquered by the Hyksos from Canaan in 1800BC. The Hyksos were good soldiers and had superior weapons. The Hyksos had horse-drawn chariots and curved swords called scimitars, which were made of bronze. The wooden weapons of the Egyptians were no match for the modern weapons. 1. Who was Mentuhotep and why was he important? 2. What did Egyptians have more time to do since their country became so prosperous? 3. How did the Middle Kingdom end?

Egypt's Middle Kingdom Directions: Read and annotate the following. Write the central idea for each paragraph in the box. Then answer the questions below. In 2040BC, King Mentuhotep of the 1th dynasty reunited Egypt. The nomarchs lost power and the pharaoh gained total control. Mentuhotep created a centralized monarchy and made Thebes the capital. This began the Middle Kingdom of Egypt. Things went well for Egypt during this time. The country became prosperous. New quarries were developed in order to build more temples and other structures. They built dams and reservoirs to manage flood water. They expanded their kingdom south to Nubia. Egyptians brought gold, ivory, and slaves from Nubia. They also expanded trade which brought wealth and peace to Egypt. Egyptians had time to create works of art, build temples, develop crafts, and practice their religion. The Middle Kingdom ended when Egypt was conquered by the Hyksos from Canaan in 1800BC. The Hyksos were good soldiers and had superior weapons. The Hyksos had horse-drawn chariots and curved swords called scimitars, which were made of bronze. The wooden weapons of the Egyptians were no match for the modern weapons. 1. Who was Mentuhotep and why was he important? 2. What did Egyptians have more time to do since their country became so prosperous? 3. How did the Middle Kingdom end?