Empires Conquer a Weaker Egypt
Empires Conquer a Weaker Egypt is a Grade 6 history skill from History Alive! The Ancient World, Chapter 2: Ancient Egypt and the Middle East. After the New Kingdom, Egypt weakened and became vulnerable to a series of foreign rulers. The Kushites from the south invaded first, followed by the Assyrians and then the Persians. In 332 BCE, Alexander the Great conquered Egypt peacefully, and a Greek-speaking dynasty ruled for nearly 300 years. This period ended in 30 BCE when Rome conquered Egypt and made it a province of the Roman Empire, permanently ending Egypt's independence and marking the close of its ancient era.
Key Concepts
After the New Kingdom, Egypt grew weaker and could no longer defend its borders. This led to a long period of foreign rule as a series of powerful empires invaded. First, the Kushites from the south took control, followed by the Assyrians and then the Persians.
Later, in 332 B.C.E., the famous general Alexander the Great conquered Egypt without a fight. After his death, a Greek speaking dynasty ruled for nearly 300 years. This era ended when the powerful Romans conquered Egypt in 30 B.C.E., turning it into a province of their empire and ending its independence.
Common Questions
What happened to Egypt after the New Kingdom ended?
Egypt weakened and became subject to a series of foreign conquests: first the Kushites, then the Assyrians, then the Persians, then Alexander the Great, and finally the Romans.
When did Alexander the Great conquer Egypt?
Alexander the Great conquered Egypt in 332 BCE without a fight, and a Greek-speaking dynasty (the Ptolemies) ruled Egypt for nearly 300 years after his death.
How did Egypt become part of the Roman Empire?
The Romans conquered Egypt in 30 BCE, turning it into a Roman province and ending centuries of independent or semi-independent rule.
In what order did empires conquer Egypt after the New Kingdom?
The sequence was: Kushites, Assyrians, Persians, Alexander the Great (Greeks), and finally Rome in 30 BCE.
Why was Egypt vulnerable to conquest after the New Kingdom?
After the New Kingdom, Egypt experienced internal instability, economic decline, and military weakness that left its borders undefended against stronger neighboring empires.