Population Growth , Famine, and the Fall of the Middle Kingdom
Ancient History: Egypt · Learn by Concept
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Ancient History: Egypt › Population Growth , Famine, and the Fall of the Middle Kingdom
Which circumstance most directly lead to the fall the Middle Kingdom?
Local governors pushing for more power caused untenable political instability leading to civil war and the kingdom's demise
Foreign invasions from the east decimated the population
A series of despotic pharaohs created a sense of paranoia that swept through the Egyptian population and institutions
Severe droughts starved the population to death
Cultural decadence corrupted Egyptian institutions leading to a period of decline
Explanation
The Middle Kingdom saw an increase in democratic practices compared with the Old Kingdom. While kings and royals retained power, nobles and civil servants became deputized and acquired great influence. These officials, known as viziers, eventually demanded more power leading to political instability and collapse.