Answer:
A kingdom was a centralized government with a ruler, defined territory, and distinct culture. The ruler had absolute power, supported by a military, bureaucracy, and taxation. The intermediate periods in ancient Egypt were transitional times marked by political instability, economic decline, and social unrest. The concept of Maat represented order and harmony, and it was the responsibility of the pharaoh to uphold it. The breakdown of Maat during the intermediate periods resulted in social, economic, and political turmoil, and the rise of a new kingdom restored Maat and stability to society.