Interview with Ramses II
Q: What is your biggest accomplishment in your life?
A: Many people think I am most famous for my conquest but actually, I am proud of the temples and magnificent structures I built. The one I like the most is a Karnak with its grand columned hall
Q: Why did Egypt thrive under your control?
A: I think Egypt thrives because I conquered land and was peaceful at the same time. I forced tribute and made the treasury grow. I used my massive wealth to build many structures. As a result of my power, I made Egypt powerful.
Interview with Hatshepsut
Q: Why did Egypt do well under your control and what did you do to convince people that you are pharaoh?
A: Egypt did well under my rule because I expanded trade in the empire. We were able to acquire things like wood,incense, and gold. I restored old monuments as well as building new ones. I also established good relationships with other foreign countries like the Phoenicians. So, Egypt and many other civilizations worked together toward a common goal. I dressed like a man and wore a false beard so the people would accept me.
Q: Why were you more successful than some pharaohs that were men?
A: I did much better than some of the men because I prefered peace over war. Wars are very costly and are not profitable. I dedicated my time to something much more important, which was trade and building. During my reign, I did not fight costly wars but I used that money to make many temples and redesign old ones.
↑Above is the temple of Karnak built by Ramses. I think this temple was built because to show how powerful Ramses II was. This temple could also be a place to honor the gods. IT could also be a gathering place where everybody met to discuss issues or possibly to celebrate a good harvest or a battle they won. They could also split/store food here as well.
Q: How did ancient Egypt become united? How did leadership affect the uniting of ancient Egypt?
A: Ancient Egypt was united by a person called Narmer. Narmer was the knig of Upper Egypt at the time and was able to conquer Lower Egypt by leading his armies into a delta. Leadership affected the uniting of the kingdoms because people have to like you to fight for you. You have to have good leadership so people can like you. Since Narmer was well loved, he was able to command armies without them being in a rebellion.
Q: How was ancient Egypt governed? How were religion and politics connected?
Ancient Egypt was governed by a pharaoh who was a politcal and religious ruler. This type of government is called theocracy. The pharaoh had total power over everything in Egypt. The people were loyal to the pharaoh because they believed that the pharaoh kept Egypt unified and will help them survive famines and drought. Religion and politics are connected because if you are believed to be a god, you will be respected. With respect comes political power. In Discovering Our Past: A History of the World it states, "As Egypt's religious leader, the pharaoh participated in ceremonies to help the kingdom thrive. For example, the pharaoh rode a bull around Memphis because the Egyptians believed that this would help keep the soil fertile." and also states, "Egyptians believed that a pharaoh's wise and far-reaching leadership would help their kingdom survive such disasters as war and famine." This shows that if you have religious power and political power, you have total power over the land you are ruling. The ancient Egyptians believed the pharaoh had special power, like making crops grow, and also possessed wisdom. As a result, the pharaoh had so much power that all his commands had to be obeyed without question.
Q: How did Egyptian rulers affect trade, business, and conflict?
A prominent pharaoh who affected trade and business was Hatshepsut, who devoted most of her life to establishing trade routes and positive connections with foreign countries. In Discovering Our Past: A History of the World it states, "Hatshepsut was more interested in promoting trade than starting wars. She made great efforts to restore trade relations that had been interrupted by the Hyksos invasion." as well as, "There, Egyptian traders exchanged beads, metal tools, and weapons for gold, ivory, ebony wood, and incense (IN • sens), a material burned for its pleasant smell." Hatshepsut started many positive relationships with countries like the Phoeniciens and was able to add wealth to the treasury through trade. Someone who had a lot of conflict during their reign was Ramses II. He fought many wars and claimed a lot of land. As a result, the Egyptians were able to construct many structures like temples and pyramids. In the SS textbook it states, "Ramses conquered the region of Canaan and moved north into Syria. To get this territory, he fought the Hittites, who lived in present-day Turkey. After many battles, Ramses and the Hittite king signed a peace treaty." This shows that Ramses added a lot of land and spent some time fighting the Hittites. He used this land to build many structures as it states in Discovering Our Past: A History of the World, "Ramses II and other New Kingdom rulers had many temples built throughout Egypt." So, Egyptian pharaohs infuenced these areas a lot.
Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages to power?
A: Some advantages to power is that you can make anything realistic happen, you can decide to go to war or not, and you can change anything at your will. An example of this is when Amenhotep IV, or Akhenaton, changed the religion and capital of Egypt almost instantaneously. This shows that power can be used to do what you want. Another example is when Ramses II decided to conquer land and fought the Hittites. He did this with no resistence from his advisors. Again, power can be used for what you want to do. Some disadvantages to power is that there could be a rebellion or you could get assasinated or chased out of the country. For example, the craven act made by John Wilkes Booth led to the assasination of Lincoln. In the SS textbook it states, "These changes unsettled Egypt. Most Egyptians rejected Aton and continued to worship many deities. In addition, the priests of the old religion resisted their loss of power. The discontent with Akhenaton's rule spread to the army leaders. They believed Akhenaton, devoted to his new religion, neglected his duties as pharaoh. Under Akhenaton's weak rule, Egypt lost most of its lands in western Asia to outside invaders." This shows that you could be in a rebellion if you are disliked.
Hatshepsut
Built many structures during the time she reigned.
Expanded trade and diplomatic relationships with foreign countries.
Mainly expanded in the area of trade.
Catherine the Great
Also built many structures and cities during her rule
Also expanded empire through diplomatic relatioships.
Mainly expanded the empire through conquests.