Age of the Pharaohs: A Whirlwind History of Ancient Egypt

April 9: Great Beginnings

An overview of Egyptian civilization: the geography, the Nile, a description of chronologies. Early inhabitants along the Nile valley and the Predynastic and early Dynastic eras.

April 16: The Glory Age: The Old Kingdom

A look at the great Pyramid Age, an era of unprecedented wealth and royal power, which manifested in colossal building projects and the cult of the divine king. What led to the Old Kingdom’s rise – and its fall? The focus will be on Lower Egypt: the sites of Sakkara, Dashur, Meidum, Giza and more.

April 23: The Sun Kings to the Decline of the Old Kingdom

Finishing the Fourth Dynasty and the immortal works of the “God” kings of Giza, including the Sphinx. Then looking at the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties of Egypt, the rise of Sun Temples and Pyramid texts.

April 30: Topsy Turvy Times to Stability: The First Intermediate Period and the Middle Kingdom

What happened after the Old Kingdom? We will explore the first of Egypt’s chaotic intermediate periods and how it affected life, government and art. Then a discussion of the great Middle Kingdom period, when Egypt’s kings became strong again.

May 7: From the Hyksos Invasion to the Beginning of the Great New Kingdom

The invasion of the Hyksos (from the Levant) led to a very fragmented and divided Egypt. The origins of the New Kingdom – the great new Dynasty from Luxor – and the ultimate triumph over the North (Hyksos) and the South (the Nine Bows) from Nubia.

May 14: The Golden Age of Egypt – The New Kingdom 18th Dynasty Part 1

From the remarkable building projects of Hatshepsut, the woman who would be king, to Thutmosis III, the Napoleon of Egypt, and the riches of Amenhotep III. Exploring the first half of the greatest dynasty of all.

May 21: The Golden Age of Egypt – The New Kingdom 18th Dynasty Part 2

The Amarna period began with Amenhotep III and continued with his son, who called himself Akhenaten. This exciting finale of the 18th Dynasty delves into the madness of Akhenaten, the heretic Pharaoh, and his religion of light.

May 28: The Great Ramessides

The 19th Dynasty ushers in the “Ramses” line of kings, a family of tough soldiers with superb talent on the battleground. From Seti and Ramses the Great to Ramses III, Egypt continued to enjoy success on the world stage. This finale talk will celebrate Ramses the Great and his battles, achievements and some of Egypt’s most iconic monuments, including Abu Simbel.

Host or Publisher Lifelong Learning Mississauga