First Intermediate Period

     During the sixth dynasty, the increasing power of the nobles in their monarchs and priest class in their temple cities led to political decentralization and the subsequent fall of the Old Kingdom in 2180 B.C. Nobles had gained hereditary rights to their lands and the priest class had always exerted tremendous influence. This ushered in a long period of civil strife and disunity called the First Intermediate Period that also saw famine and invasions by Libyans from the west into the Delta and by Nubians from the south into Upper Egypt. During this time, rival families from Memphis and Thebes fought for supremacy. Eventually, Thebes prevailed and established a new capital at Lisht, south of Memphis, capital of the Old Kingdom.

     The chaos of the First Intermediate Period profoundly affected the Egyptian outlook, shaking its optimistically complacent view of the world. This change was reflected in literature which becomes more materialistic and expresses shock and grief at the violence and ruthlessness of a world in which ma’at has been replaced by anarchy and chaos.

     It was also a period of leveling. The pharaoh had been shown as fallible and even culpable for Egypt’s problems, failing in his duty to protect the people. This leveling was expressed in documents in the tombs of the nobles who came to immortality distinct from that of the king they served. From this it was just another step to the belief that anyone, even the lowliest peasant could seek to have his life judged by Osiris for admittance to eternity. This development of religious equality did not create any corresponding movement towards social equality.

Section 9

Section 11