1. Power structures of Old Kingdom Egypt and First Intermediate Period: Research and role play activity

First intermediate period of Egypt by حسني بن بارك  (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Activity

In this activity you will participate in a role play to demonstrate the shifts in power between Old Kingdom Egypt and the First Intermediate Period. The class will be divided in half, with the first group exploring Old Kingdom Egypt and the second group the First Intermediate Period. Each group will need to research the organisation of power in Old Kingdom Egypt and the First Intermediate Period.

Step 1: Researching

In your groups, you will research the organisation of power in your time period, which will be used to develop a role play. You may look to research the following prompts:

Old Kingdom Egypt:

• What was the arrangement of the political structure during the Old Kingdom in Egypt?
• What was the role and authority of the pharaoh in the political structure of Old Kingdom Egypt?
• How was the bureaucracy organised in Old Kingdom Egypt, and what functions did it serve in maintaining the centralised government?
• What was the relationship between the pharaoh and the nobility, and how did the nobility contribute to the exercise of power?
• Which pyramids were built during this time and for who?
• What did the building of the pyramids symbolise?
• How did the provincial administration work in Old Kingdom Egypt, and what roles did regional governors play in maintaining the pharaoh’s control?
• Were there any significant changes or developments in the organisation of power, and if so, what were the reasons behind these changes?
• Were there any instances of political resistance or challenges to the pharaoh’s authority, and if so, how were they addressed?

First Intermediate Period:

• How did the political organisation of power change during the First Intermediate Period compared to the centralised system of the Old Kingdom?
• What factors contributed to the decentralisation of power during the First Intermediate Period?
• How did the weakening of the central government’s authority lead to the emergence of regional rulers and the fragmentation of Egypt into smaller power centres?
• What were the roles and responsibilities of regional rules (known as nomarchs) during this time?
• How did the power struggles among regional rules and nomarchs impact the stability and governance of ancient Egypt?
• Were there any attempts to restore centralised authority, and if so, what were the outcomes?
• How did the changes in the organisation of power affect the economy and trade?
• Which pyramids were built during this time and for who?
• What did the building of the pyramids symbolise?
• Were there any notable social or cultural changes that occurred as a result of the shifts in the organisation of power?
• How did the changes in power during the First Intermediate Period influence the reunification of the country in Middle Kingdom Egypt?

Resources for you to use (you may refer to other websites as well – this is just a starting point):

• An Introduction to the Ancient Egypt Civilisation
• Ancient Egypt and the Nile River Valley
• Ancient Egyptian Government
• Egypt: The Old Kingdom Falls
• The Periods of Ancient Egypt
• Tiny timelines: ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia in a global context, 5th-3rd millennia B.C.E.

Step 2: Role play

Based on this research, each group will develop a role play to communicate the key characteristics  of the political structures of each period and then perform their role plays.  Group 1 will perform their role play first, while group 2 will be taking notes on how Old Kingdom Egypt’s organisational structure differed from the First Intermediate Period. Group 2 will then perform their role play, while group 2 will take notes on how this period differed to their own.

2. Pyramids historical inquiry

Tomb of Nemtymes, reign of Ramesses Ii, 19th dynasty, Saqqara by Richard Mortel (CC BY 2.0)

Activity

In this activity you will individually pick a pyramid to research. From the list below, you must pick one pyramid built during either Old Kingdom Egypt or the First Intermediate Period. You will need to research how the building of the pyramid was significant during the time it was built, who it was built for/by and the role it played in ancient Egyptian society. You can pick a pyramid from the following list or discuss alternatives with your teacher:

• Abydos
• Dahshur Pyramid
• Great Pyramid of Giza
• Temple of Karnak
• Saqqara – Pyramid of Djsoer

Resources for you to use (you may refer to other websites as well – this is just a starting point):

• Abydos, city of pilgrimage of the Pharaohs
• Great Pyramid of Giza
• Karnak
• Inside the Tombs of Saqqara
• Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur

2. After you have picked a pyramid, you will need to research its historical significance and present your findings in a multi-modal platform of your choice. It could be via a poster, PowerPoint, mind map, etc.). You may look to research the following prompts:

• What was the primary purpose of building this pyramid?
• Who was this pyramid built for?
• What was the religious significance of building this pyramid?
• What practical purpose did building the pyramid serve?
• Where was this pyramid built?
• How did the construction of this pyramid influence the architectural, engineering and constructions techniques of later periods in ancient Egypt?
• Were there any regional or cultural variations in the build of this pyramid that may have differed from others during the same time period?

3. At the end of the class, we will come together as a group and share our findings. Compare and contrast your findings with others who have may have picked a different pyramid.