Ancient History: Egypt : First Intermediate Period (2181-2055 BCE)
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Ancient History: Egypt
All Ancient History: Egypt Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #11 : First Intermediate Period (2181 2055 Bce)
Which of these dynasties was not a ruling dynasty during the First Intermediate Period?
tenth
none; these were all ruling dynasties of the First Intermediate Period
seventh
eighth
ninth
none; these were all ruling dynasties of the First Intermediate Period
The First Intermediate Period of Egyptian history began with the decline of the Old Kingdom in the 22nd century BCE. During this period, authority was divided between two competing Egyptian states - one dynasty based out of Heracleopolis and another based out of Thebes. The First Intermediate Period begins with the Seventh Dynasty and lasts until part way through the rule of the Eleventh Dynasty.
Example Question #12 : First Intermediate Period (2181 2055 Bce)
During the First Intermediate Period, __________.
Egypt was occupied by the Hyksos
Egypt was occupied by the Nubians
Egypt was occupied by the Kush Empire
Egypt was divided between two competing kingdoms
Egypt was occupied by the Persian Empire
Egypt was divided between two competing kingdoms
During the First Intermediate Period, which lasts from 2181 to 2155 BCE, Egypt was divided into two competing kingdoms - Lower Egypt, led by the ruling dynasties of Heracleopolis, and Upper Egypt, led by the ruling dynasties of Thebes.
Example Question #1 : War And Conflict
Which of the following reasons is NOT commonly used as one of the factors to explain the collapse of the Old Kingdom and the beginning of the First Intermediate Period?
External pressure as a result of constant invasions from Nubian tribes from the south
Less productive agricultural yields and a dry climate as a result less frequent flooding of the Nile
The rise in power of the hereditary monarchs, who gradually acquired most sovereign powers at the expense of the Pharaoh, resulting in a highly decentralized state
The emergence of the competing power bases of Thebes and Heracleopolis, each with its own corresponding line of kings
The decades-long reign of Pharaoh Pepi II, the last king of the Sixth Dynasty, who outlived most of his natural heirs and therefore left an unstable succession and power structure
External pressure as a result of constant invasions from Nubian tribes from the south
The Old Kingdom during its last years suffered from a variety of instances of dysfunctional governance and infrastructure that resulted in the dissolution of the Old Kingdom and the resulting fragmentation of power. These include discord as a result of Pepi II's lengthy reign, in addition to the monarchs' consolidation of more power and strife between Memphis, Thebes and Heracleopolis. Environmental problems resulting from less rainfall and flooding of the Nile only exacerbated this situation. In contrast, during the entire early period of Egyptian history, Egypt and Nubia engaged in periodic war, but neither side was able to overcome the other. Egypt finally conquered the northern Nubian Kingdom of Kerma around 1500 BCE (during the Eighteenth Dynasty of the New Kingdom). On the other hand, during the later period of Egyptian decline in the Third Intermediate Period, the Kingdom of Kush finally conquered Egypt around 760 BCE, resulting in the Twenty-fifth Dynasty.
Certified Tutor
All Ancient History: Egypt Resources
