Why did we look at art from only the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms, of Egyptian history and not the “Intermediate periods”?

(2 points)
Responses

These were periods of time in which the greatest and largest wars were fought, resulting in large amounts of artistic treasures.
These were periods of time in which the greatest and largest wars were fought, resulting in large amounts of artistic treasures.

These were the “high points” of Egyptian civilization, when most of Egyptian artistic accomplishments occurred.
These were the “high points” of Egyptian civilization, when most of Egyptian artistic accomplishments occurred.

These were the times that Egyptian civilization was lead by the most powerful and successful rulers.
These were the times that Egyptian civilization was lead by the most powerful and successful rulers.

These were periods in which plagues, crime and poverty led to wide use of artistic expression.

which 1

of these four options is the correct response to the question?

The correct answer is: These were the "high points" of Egyptian civilization, when most of Egyptian artistic accomplishments occurred.

The answer to this question is "These were the 'high points' of Egyptian civilization, when most of Egyptian artistic accomplishments occurred."

The reason why we primarily focus on the art of the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms of Egyptian history, rather than the "Intermediate periods," is because these periods are considered the peak of Egyptian civilization. During these periods, significant political, economic, and cultural advancements took place, leading to numerous artistic accomplishments.

To understand why the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms are considered the "high points" of Egyptian civilization, you can look at the historical context of each period. The Old Kingdom, which lasted from approximately 2686 to 2181 BCE, was characterized by the development of a centralized government, the construction of monumental pyramids, and the establishment of a complex bureaucracy.

The Middle Kingdom, spanning from approximately 2055 to 1650 BCE, witnessed a period of reunification and stability after a time of political fragmentation known as the First Intermediate Period. This period saw the expansion of trade, the construction of grand temples, and an increased focus on art and literature.

Lastly, the New Kingdom, from approximately 1550 to 1077 BCE, was considered the peak of Egyptian power and influence. It was during this period that famous pharaohs like Hatshepsut, Thutmose III, Akhenaten, and Tutankhamun ruled. The New Kingdom witnessed military conquests, territorial expansion, and the construction of impressive religious and funerary monuments, such as the temples at Karnak and the Valley of the Kings.

These three Kingdoms witnessed significant accomplishments in various fields, including art, architecture, literature, and technology. As a result, the majority of preserved artworks come from these periods, providing valuable insights into the artistic achievements of ancient Egypt.

So, the main reason why we focus on the art from the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms is that these periods represent the pinnacle of Egyptian civilization in terms of political stability, cultural development, and artistic achievements.