New
New
The three kingdoms of Egypt
I can describe how the kingdoms of Egypt changed over time.
Lesson 2 of 6
New
New
- Year 3
The three kingdoms of Egypt
I can describe how the kingdoms of Egypt changed over time.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The ruler of Ancient Egypt was called the pharaoh; they owned all the land, made all the laws and taxed their subjects.
- The pharaohs, whose subjects believed to be both gods and humans, ruled in the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms.
- During the Old Kingdom the Ancient Egyptians built pyramids to bury their pharaohs in, the most famous at Giza.
- In the Middle Kingdom Egypt grew rich and strong, stopped using pyramids and buried pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings.
- In the New Kingdom Egypt grew stronger, using their chariots and strong bronze weapons to take over more land.
Keywords
Laws - laws are a set of rules that people must follow
Taxes - taxes are amounts of money that people must pay to their rulers
Subjects - subjects are the people controlled by a ruler
Pyramid - the pyramids were large stone buildings that the Ancient Egyptians buried their pharaohs in during the Old Kingdom
Chariot - a chariot is a wheeled vehicle pulled by horses, often used in war
Common misconception
Pupils may think that the kingdoms are places in Egypt.
Kingdoms are are periods of time in Egyptian history; the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom and the New Kingdom.
Combine History with Mathematics by looking at the pyramid as a 3D shape; count the edges, faces and vertices or construct and decorate a pyramid from a net made of card.
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What happened along the River Nile in Ancient Egypt?
What happened along the River Nile in Ancient Egypt?
fighting
feasting
Q2.What were the two kingdoms called that were united in around 3000 BCE?
What were the two kingdoms called that were united in around 3000 BCE?
Old Egypt and New Egypt
North Egypt and South Egypt
East Egypt and West Egypt
Q3.True or false? The River Nile ends in Egypt.
True or false? The River Nile ends in Egypt.
False
Q4.The Ancient Egyptian civilisation began in around 3000 BCE. What does BCE mean?
The Ancient Egyptian civilisation began in around 3000 BCE. What does BCE mean?
Before Christ Era
Before the Common Empire
Before Christ Existed
Q5.Match the words to the definitions.
Match the words to the definitions.
Q6.Which continent is Egypt in?
Which continent is Egypt in?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Put the three kingdoms of Ancient Egypt in order from first to last.
Put the three kingdoms of Ancient Egypt in order from first to last.
Q2.Where were pharaohs buried in the Old Kingdom?
Where were pharaohs buried in the Old Kingdom?
Valley of the Kings
graves
Q3.These people lived in Ancient Egypt. Who was whom?
These people lived in Ancient Egypt. Who was whom?
Q4.What type of vehicle did Egyptians use for battle in the New Kingdom?
What type of vehicle did Egyptians use for battle in the New Kingdom?
cars
carriages
Q5.What were Egyptian weapons made from in the New Kingdom?
What were Egyptian weapons made from in the New Kingdom?
wood
metal
Q6.Complete the sentence. The Great Pyramid at Giza was built in the Kingdom of Ancient Egypt.
Complete the sentence. The Great Pyramid at Giza was built in the Kingdom of Ancient Egypt.
