ANCIENT EGYPT

GEOGRAPHY• The Nile River is a unique river, beginning in

the heart of Africa and coursing northward for more than 4,000 miles. It is the longest river in the world. It splits into two major branches before emptying into the Mediterranean Sea.

• This split forms a triangular territory known as the delta. The Nile Delta is called lower Egypt.

• Upper Egypt is the land upstream to the south.

• The most important feature of the Nile was it’s yearly flooding. This enriched the soil several miles wide on both sides of the river.

GEOGRAPHY• The Egyptians called this fertile land, “Black

Land”. Beyond these narrow strips of fertile fields lay the deserts, the “Red Land” Western and Eastern Deserts.

• The surplus of food Egyptian farmers grew in this fertile soil made Egypt prosperous.

• In ancient time, the Nile was the fastest way to travel through the land making both communication and transportation easier.

• Egypt was blessed with natural barriers that protected it from enemies and included: Western and Eastern Deserts, Red Sea, cataracts, and the Mediterranean Sea.

Cataract

• a descent of water over a steep surface; a waterfall, esp. one of considerable size.

ReligionEgyptians were _POLYTHEISTIC__. (believed in

many gods) Their gods were associated with the __HEAVENLY

BODIES__ and _NATURAL FORCES . Two important Gods were __THE SUN GODS__ and

__THE LAND GODS__. The sun God was worshipped as _ATUM_ in human form and/or as __RE__ , which had a human body and the head of a falcon.

Two important river and land Gods were _OSIRIS_ & _ISIS__. Osiris took on an important role for the Egyptians as a symbol of __RESURRECTION_. Isis brought Osiris back to __LIFE__ after being cut into pieces and tossed into the Nile.

RELIGION

• Egyptians were polytheistic (belief in many gods).

• 2 types of gods: SUN gods & LAND gods.

• SUN god: ATUM (human form) or RE (symbol human body falcon head)

• LAND gods: OSIRIS (resurrection & the underworld) & ISIS (life)

ISIS OSIRIS

RE

Course of Egyptian History Egyptian history has been divided into three major periods:OLD KINGDOM, MIDDLE KINGDOM, NEW KINGDOM.These were periods of long-term stability marked by strong

LEADERSHIP, FREEDOM FROM INVASIONS, the building of TEMPLES_ and PYRAMIDS, and considerable intellectual and cultural activity.

The history of Egypt began around 3100 B.C. It occurred when MENES the king of Egypt united the villages of UPPER and LOWER_ Egypt into a single kingdom and created the first Egyptian royal DYNASTY.

A dynasty is a family of rulers who’s right to rule is passed on within family. The Nile united Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt PHYSICALLY; Kingship united the two areas POLITICALLY.

COURSE OF EGYPTIAN HISTORY

• 3 major periods: Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom

• 3100 B.C.: Menes unites Upper & Lower Egypt to create the first royal dynasty

• Dynasty: a family of rulers whose right to rule is passed on within his/her family.

OLD KINGDOM ( 2700 TO 2200 B.C

) • The Old Kingdom was an age of PROSPERITY and

SPLENDOR. Egyptian rulers were known as PHARAOHS.

• Pharaohs had absolute power but were assisted with a BUREAUCRACY.

• A bureaucracy is an _ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION_ with officials and regular procedures. The office of VIZIER was in charge of the government bureaucracy, also known as the “steward of the Whole Land”.

• The PYRAMIDS were built during the Old Kingdom. • They served as TOMBS for the pharaohs and their

families.

• Inside they contained ROOMS STOCKED WITH SUPPLIES, INCLUDING CHAIRS, BOATS, CHESTS, WEAPONS, GAMES, DISHES, AND A VARIETY OF FOODS.

• Egyptian’s practiced mummification which was a _PROCESS OF SLOWLY DRYING A DEAD BODY TO PREVENT IT FROM ROTTING.

• In the mummification process the body was PRESERVED AFTER DEATH.

• The largest pyramid (Great Pyramid) was built in GIZA under King Khufu.

• Guarding the Great Pyramid at Giza is a huge statue carved from rock, known as the GREAT SPHINX. It has the body of a LION and the head of a HUMAN.

OLD KINGDOM (2700-2200 B.C.)

• An age of prosperity and splendor.

• Rulers were known as PHARAOHS.

• Government- BUREAUCRACY• Bureaucracy: administrative

organization with officials and regular procedures.

• Pyramids were built during this time and include various rooms and tombs.

• Mummification process to preserve body after death.

• Great Sphinx was built to guard Great Pyramid of Giza.

• Mummification

Great Sphinx and Great Pyramid

Mummy

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/Giza_pyramid_complex_%28map%29.svg

http://www.culturefocus.com/egypt_pyramids.htm

MIDDLE KINGDOM (2050 TO 1652 B.C.) • A new dynasty gained controlled and began the Middle

Kingdom that was known by Egyptians as a GOLDEN AGE_ (an age of stability).

• Pharaoh portrayed themselves as the SHEPHERD of Egyptian people and were expected to BUILD PUBLIC WORKS and provide FOR THE PUBLIC WELFARE.

• Projects included: DRAINING SWAMPLAND, and DIGGING A CANAL which connected the Nile to the Red Sea. These projects provided thousands of acres of new farmland and aided TRADE_ and TRANSPORTATION.

• The Middle Kingdom was invaded by a group of people from Western Asia known as the HYKSOS_ which brought the kingdom to an end.

MIDDLE KINGDOM (2050 – 1652 B.C.)

• Golden Age (age of stability)

• Public works began which included digging canals and draining swampland which connected the Nile to the Red Sea.

• Trade and transportation

• Kingdom ended when Hyksos (group from Western Asia) invaded.

THE NEW KINGDOM (1567 to 1085 B.C.)

• During this period Egypt created an EMPIRE and became the most powerful state in Southwest Asia.

• The first female pharaoh, HATSHEPSUT and others built fabulous temples and building to show their wealth and the greatness of the empire.

• King AKHENATON tried to make Egyptians MONOTHEISTIC and worship only the sun god. Many believed this change would upset the cosmic order and destroy Egypt.

• After Akhenaton’s death, the boy-pharaoh TUTANKHAMEN restored the old gods and polytheism.

• Akhenaton’s religious reforms caused UPHEAVALS that led the Egyptians to lose their empire.

• New invasions by the SEA PEOPLE’S ended the Egyptian Empire. The New Kingdom collapsed in 1085 B.C.

• For next thousands years, LIBYANS, NUBIANS, PERSIANS and Macedonians dominated Egypt.

• The pharaoh CLEOPATRA VII unsuccessfully tried to reassert Egypt’s independence. Her alliance with ROME brought defeat, her suicide, and Roman rule over Egypt.

NEW KINGDOM (1567-1085 B.C.)

• 1st Egyptian Empire was created.

• First female pharaoh: HATSHEPSUT

• King Akhenaton tried to make Egypt MONOTHEISTIC (belief in one god)

• Boy pharaoh TUTANKHAMEN restored old gods and polytheism.

• Libyans, Nubians, Persians & Macedonians (Alexander the Great) later dominated Egypt.

• Cleopatra VII tried to reestablish Egypt’s independence . Her alliance with ROME brought her to defeat, end of her life, and Egyptian independence altogether.

King Tutankhamen

QueenCleopatra

SOCIETY AND DAILY EGYPTIAN LIFE

• Egyptian society was divided into classes.• The _PHARAOHS was surrounded by a UPPER CLASS

of nobles and priests. • They ran the government and managed their own

landed estates. • THE MIDDLE CLASS included merchants, artisans,

scribes and tax collectors. • THE LOWER CLASS included the largest amount of

people and were known as peasants. They worked and farmed the land. They paid taxes in the form of crops to the pharaoh, provided military service and force labor for the state.

• MONOGAMY (marriage to one person) was the general rule.

• Husbands were the MASTERS of the house.

• Wives were in charge of the household and the education of the children.

• Careers and public offices were closed to WOMEN.

• UPPER CLASS women could become priestesses. Four Queens became PHARAOHS. Parents arranged marriages for their children.

SOCIETY AND DAILY EGYPTIAN LIFE

• 4 social classes which include:• Upper class: nobles and priests• Middle class: merchants, artisans, scribes,

tax collectors• Lower class: peasants• Slaves• Monogamy (marriage to one person) was

the single rule.• Men were the masters of the house.• Women were limited to certain roles.

WRITING & EDUCATION

• Egyptians used a system of writing called HIEROGLYPHICS. Sacred writing that used pictures and abstract forms. Very complex and difficult to learn.

• Hieroglyphic script was used for writing ON TEMPLE WALLS AND TOMBS.

• HIERATIC SCRIPT _ was a highly simplified version of hieroglyphics. Used dashes, strokes and curves.

• Hieratic script was used for BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS, RECORD KEEPING, and GENERAL NEEDS OF DAILY LIFE.

WRITING/EDUCATION/ACHIEVEMENTS

• HIEROGLYPHICS : system of writing

• Was used for writing on temple walls and tombs

• HIERATIC SCRIPT: simplified form of Hieroglyphics. Used for business transactions, record keeping, general needs of daily life

EGYPTIAN ACHIEVEMENTS

• Architecture and Art: pyramids, temples and monuments

• Mathematics: helped in building massive monuments

• Calendar: accurate 365 day calendar• Embalming: preserving dead body

for preservation• Medical Knowledge: study parts of

body during mummification process

Canopic jars:Qebehsenuef, the falcon head -- intestinesDuamutef, the jackal head -- stomachHapy, the baboon head -- lungsImsety, the human head -- liver

Pyramid of Giza

Mummification

The four huge statues of Ramesses II that guard the entrance of his Great Temple at Abu Simbel

Egyptian Calendar

Let’s Review

1. How long is the Nile River?2. What did the Nile provide Egyptian’s?3. What was Egypt’s religion?4. Name the most important Gods for

Egyptians?5. How is Egyptian history divided?6. When did Egyptian history begin?7. What is a dynasty?

QUESTION

8. What is the name given to Egyptian kings?

9. Who assisted the king in running the land?

10.What purpose did the pyramids serve?11.How were pharaoh’s preserved for the

after life?12.Which monument protected the Great

Pyramid?

QUESTION

13.How was the Middle kingdom regarded as?14.How did the Pharaoh’s assist Egyptian

civilization during the Middle Kingdom?15.What group invaded Egypt and ended the

Middle Kingdom?16.What is Egypt’s writing system?17.Which system was developed for business

transactions?18.Name five Egyptian achievements?

QUESTION

19.What was created during the New Kingdom that helped Egypt become the most powerful state in Southwest Asia?

20.Who tried to convert Egyptian’s into monotheistic?

21.Who become the youngest pharaoh?22.How was Egyptian society divided?23.What was the general rule for marriage?24.Who were the masters of the house?25.What roles did women have?

Egyptian Summary Chart

GEOGRAPHY

RIVERS

NATURAL BARRIERS

RELIGION

GOVERNMENT

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

ECONOMY

WRITTEN LANGUAGE

Duties and Responsibilities

Members

Egyptian Summary Chart

PHARAOH

UPPER

MIDDLE

LOWER

Nobles & Priests

Trade & Produced goods

Governed & Ruled the land

MembersDuties

Merchants, Artisans, Scribes & Tax collectors

Peasants & SlavesFarmed & worked the land; provided force labor

Mesopotamia Egypt

Geography Fertile Crescent Africa

Rivers Tigris and Euphrates

Nile

Natural Barriers Flat Plains Deserts, Seas, Cataracts

Religion Polytheistic Polytheistic

Government City-States

/ Theocracy/ Kings

Villages/dynasties/ pharaohs

Social Structure Nobles/

commoners/slaves

Upper class/ merchants/ artisans/ peasants

Economy Farming and trade

Farming and trade

Written Language

Cuneiform Hieroglyphics

Comparing Life in Mesopotamia and Egypt

THE END

Chapter two test next class: Study

Mesopotamia foldable and Ancient Egypt

Notes.