Ancient EgyptIn Ancient Egypt, the Egyptians had Pharaohs that were considered gods and they focused on the after life. They built pyramids that symbolized the importance of Pharaohs and the afterlife. If the Egyptians gave the Pharaoh a good afterlife, they would have a good afterlife as well.

The Egyptians settled by the Nile River. The Nile River was a very important trade route.

History IDs• Delta- A triangle shaped area of land

made from soil deposited by a river.

• Pharaoh- Rulers of Egypt; living gods

• Nobles- People from rich and powerful families

• Afterlife- Life after death (ka was the life force that left the body and became a spirit)

• Mummies- Specially treated dead bodies wrapped in cloth

• Pyramids- Huge stone tombs with 4 triangle shaped sides that meet in a point on top

• Dynasty- A series of rulers from the same family.

• Embalm- Treating the body after its death to protect if from decay

• New Kingdom- The period during which Egypt reached the height of its power and glory (1550-1050 BC)

• Hieroglyphics- The Egyptian writing system. It had over 600 symbols

• Papyrus- A long-lasting paper like material made from reeds.

• Obelisk- A tall, 4 sided pillar that is pointed on top.

GEOGRAPHY

I. Settled by the Nile Rivera. The Nile would flood and provided

siltb. Fertile soil and irrigation for farmingc. Stable food supply (surplus)d. Provided for a division of labor

II. Natural Borders (protection from invaders/enemies)

a. Deserts – Western and Easternb. Rapids on the Nile River – difficult to

crossc. Water – the Red and Mediterranean

Seas

ECONOMICS

I. Nile River was an important trade routea. Traded with Nubia for gold, copper, ivory, slaves,

stoneb. Traded with Syria for wood

II. Taxesa. Scribes did not pay taxes and became wealthyb. Farmers had to give crops to the Pharaoh as taxesc. Taxes were used to build pyramids

III. Military conquests made Egypt richa. Assyrian, Babylonian and Hittite kings sent gifts to

maintain good relations with Egypt

IV. Growth of Tradea. Sinai Peninsula had turquoise and copperb. Queen Hatshepsut traded with Punt, Greece and

Asia Minor

POLITICS

I. King MenesA. First Pharaoh of EgyptB. Unified Upper and Lower Egypt in 3100 B.C. so Egypt could

be a larger, more powerful country!

II. Old KingdomA. 2700-2200 B.C.

III. Middle KingdomA. 2050-1750 B.C.B. Stable government

IV. New KingdomA. 11550-1050 B.C.B. Height of Egypt’s power and gloryC. Queen Hatshepsut

1. She expanded trade routes2. She used money to support arts and architecture3. By expanding trade routes, she increased Egypt’s wealth

and powerD. Ramses the Great (Ramses II)

1. He fought the Hittites, strengthened the western borders and defeated Tehenu

2. He increased Egypt’s size and built monuments3. He was the last great Pharaoh of Egypt4. By building monuments, he helped Egypt’s culture live

on

V. KushA. 700’s B.C.B. Conquered Egypt and established a new dynasty

VI. AssyriansA. Took over in 670’s B.C.

RELIGION (right-hand page)

I. Polytheistic – believing in many gods/goddessesA. Temples and shrines for worshipB. Pharaoh considered a living god!C. Focused on afterlifeD. “Ka” – a person’s life forceE. Preserved bodies a mummiesF. Rules to make the Pharaoh’s spirit happy so you could have your

own happy afterlife

Society and Culture (right-hand page)

I. Social HierarchyA. Pharaoh

1. He had absolute power over Egypt2. He was both a king and a god3. He was blamed if crops did not grow or disease

struckB. Upper Class

1. Priests, government officials, noblesC. Middle Class

1. Scribes2. Craftspeople – sculptors, builders, carpenters,

jewelers, leatherworkers, metalworkers, architects,

artists3. Merchants, traders, soldiers

D. Lower Class1. Farmers, servants, slaves2. Over 80% of the population was lower class

Picture of Social Structure – left hand page

Science and Technology (Right hand page)

I. PyramidsA. Khufu’s was the largestB. Pyramids had very skilled engineeringC. They symbolized the importance of the pharaoh and the afterlife

II. HieroglyphicsA. One of the world’s first writing systems B. 600 symbolsC. Rosetta Stone helped scholars decipherD. Many texts written in hieroglyphics still exist

III. TemplesA. Religious, gods, afterlifeB. From Karnak – Ramses the Great

IV. ArtA. Filled the tombs of the pharaoh so he could enjoy it in the afterlifeB. In temples it was all religiousC. Paintings, carvings, jewelry

Ancient Egypt Achievements – left hand page

Pyramids

Temples

Hieroglyphics

Art