Glimpse into Glimpse into Ancient Ancient

EgyptEgypt

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsClass Systems------------------------------- Slide 3Class Systems------------------------------- Slide 3Egyptian Religion-----------------------------Slide 4Egyptian Religion-----------------------------Slide 4Egyptian Government-----------------------Slide 5Egyptian Government-----------------------Slide 5Art------------------------------------------------Slide 6Art------------------------------------------------Slide 6Kingdom Maps------------------------------Slide 7-9Kingdom Maps------------------------------Slide 7-9World View-----------------------------------Slide 10World View-----------------------------------Slide 10Natural order---------------------------------Slide 11Natural order---------------------------------Slide 11Interconnectedness------------------------Slide 12Interconnectedness------------------------Slide 12Faq’s-------------------------------------------Slide 13Faq’s-------------------------------------------Slide 13From Ancient Egypt to Just Egypt------Slide 14From Ancient Egypt to Just Egypt------Slide 14Interesting Pictures-------------------------Slide 15Interesting Pictures-------------------------Slide 15Sources----------------------------------------Slide 16Sources----------------------------------------Slide 16

Class SystemsClass SystemsThe HierarchyThe Hierarchy• PharaohPharaoh

• Vizier, NoblesVizier, Nobles• Teachers, Doctors, Artists, Business OwnersTeachers, Doctors, Artists, Business Owners

• Soldiers, Peasants, Farmers, SlavesSoldiers, Peasants, Farmers, Slaves

•Slaves weren’t used to make Slaves weren’t used to make pyramids because the pyramids are sacred, pyramids because the pyramids are sacred, and slaves were considered unworthy. and slaves were considered unworthy.

(Information from Kohn, Charles et al)(Information from Kohn, Charles et al)

•Slaves and Slaves and mercenaries mercenaries (mercenaries are people (mercenaries are people that will do anything that will do anything solely for money) were solely for money) were often put in the army.often put in the army.

ReligionReligion

• Ra was the sun god. In a boat, he Ra was the sun god. In a boat, he sailed across the sky with the sun.sailed across the sky with the sun.

• Osiris is the god of the underworld. Osiris is the god of the underworld. He was the one who taught the He was the one who taught the Egyptians to farm. He was killed by Egyptians to farm. He was killed by his evil brother (Seth), who cut his evil brother (Seth), who cut Osiris’s body into fourteen pieces and Osiris’s body into fourteen pieces and scattered them throughout the world.scattered them throughout the world.

• Isis is the goddess of magic spells Isis is the goddess of magic spells and is Osiris’s wife. She collected the and is Osiris’s wife. She collected the pieces of Osiris’s body and brought pieces of Osiris’s body and brought them back to life.them back to life.

• Anubis is the god of the dead. He is Anubis is the god of the dead. He is represented with the head of a jackal, represented with the head of a jackal, and he is the guardian of the tombs. and he is the guardian of the tombs. His name means “He who counts His name means “He who counts hearts.”hearts.”

Ra Anubis

Isis Osiris

(Information from Kohn, Charles et al)

GovernmentGovernment• Ancient Egypt was dominated by Ancient Egypt was dominated by

a single person addressed as the a single person addressed as the pharaoh.pharaoh.

• The pharaoh is politically the The pharaoh is politically the most powerful person in Egypt. most powerful person in Egypt. He is also considered a living god, He is also considered a living god, this is why the pharaoh had total this is why the pharaoh had total control over the empire.control over the empire.

• The pharaoh’s ministers and The pharaoh’s ministers and advisors were the priests. advisors were the priests. Civilians paid their taxes through Civilians paid their taxes through goods and labour.goods and labour.

• When taxes were paid through When taxes were paid through labor, the tax payers were forced labor, the tax payers were forced to endure labour for whatever to endure labour for whatever amount of time until the amount of time until the corvée corvée (the labor tax) was paid down.(the labor tax) was paid down.

• Peasants had no voice in the Peasants had no voice in the government, but didn’t mind government, but didn’t mind because it was backed up by their because it was backed up by their religion.religion.

Cleopatra the VII was the last pharaoh in Ancient Egypt. Her family reigned the throne for 300 years.

(Information from Kohn, Charles et al)

ArtArt• The Egyptians made sculptures and The Egyptians made sculptures and

weavings, as well as paintings. The weavings, as well as paintings. The pigments they used to paint with pigments they used to paint with included the colours blue, red, included the colours blue, red, green, yellow, and black. Later on, green, yellow, and black. Later on, they started painting over paintings they started painting over paintings using snake venom and egg whites using snake venom and egg whites to protect them from the outside to protect them from the outside elements.elements.

(Information from Kohn, Charles et al)

Old KingdomOld Kingdom• 2700 BC-2200 BC2700 BC-2200 BC• Not so far from the Early Not so far from the Early

Dynastic Period, the Old Dynastic Period, the Old Kingdom is considered Kingdom is considered more of a continuation of more of a continuation of it it (Kinnaer, Jacques)(Kinnaer, Jacques)

• In the Old Kingdom, the In the Old Kingdom, the capital city was capital city was Memphis, circled in red.Memphis, circled in red.

• A temple made to A temple made to honour the craftsmen honour the craftsmen god, Ptah, disappeared god, Ptah, disappeared along with Memphis, along with Memphis, thus the capital city thus the capital city changed to Heliopolis changed to Heliopolis (circled in blue).(circled in blue).

***Rest of the information and pictures from Thinkquest***

Middle KingdomMiddle Kingdom• 2100 BC-1800 BC2100 BC-1800 BC

• During this time, During this time, Pharaohs weren’t in total Pharaohs weren’t in total control. The officials got control. The officials got their share of power this their share of power this time.time.

• Some examples of the Some examples of the new cities include Ither-new cities include Ither-Tawi, Semna, and Tanis. Tawi, Semna, and Tanis. I’ve taken the liberty to I’ve taken the liberty to circle these three cities in circle these three cities in black.black.

***All information and pictures from Thinkquest***

New KingdomNew Kingdom• 1570 BC-1080 BC1570 BC-1080 BC

• The Egyptians took over many countries The Egyptians took over many countries around Nubia, claiming treasures for around Nubia, claiming treasures for themselves.themselves.

• The Egyptian Empire reached its “golden The Egyptian Empire reached its “golden age” (highest point) in 1400 BC. During age” (highest point) in 1400 BC. During that time the capital city moved to Thebes that time the capital city moved to Thebes (circled in red).(circled in red).

• During the end of the New Kingdom, the During the end of the New Kingdom, the capital city moved to Akenton (not shown).capital city moved to Akenton (not shown).

• There was a power struggle between the There was a power struggle between the government officials which caused Egypt government officials which caused Egypt of break into small states. Invaders took of break into small states. Invaders took advantage of their weakness, and took advantage of their weakness, and took over ancient Egypt. over ancient Egypt.

***All information and pictures from Thinkquest***

World ViewWorld View• The Egyptians thought the world to be a little different The Egyptians thought the world to be a little different

than what it is now. They thought the world was flat and than what it is now. They thought the world was flat and that it floats on a huge sea. that it floats on a huge sea. (Carnegie Museum of (Carnegie Museum of Natural History)Natural History)

• Some people think that the Greeks admired the Some people think that the Greeks admired the Egyptians. Their argument is that around 300 BC Egyptians. Their argument is that around 300 BC Alexander the Great took over Egypt. Alexander the Great took over Egypt. Apparently, when Apparently, when a land is conquered, the winning side takes whatever a land is conquered, the winning side takes whatever they feel is useful and destroys the land. Alexander they feel is useful and destroys the land. Alexander didn’t do this. In fact, Alexander added his own section didn’t do this. In fact, Alexander added his own section to the Luxor Temple and added his name with the most to the Luxor Temple and added his name with the most ancient Pharaohs and in a way uniting himself with ancient Pharaohs and in a way uniting himself with them. them. (Lachtane, Kamira)(Lachtane, Kamira)

Natural OrderNatural Order• Ancient Egyptians observed Ancient Egyptians observed

the flooding of the Nile River, the flooding of the Nile River, which occurs every year. They which occurs every year. They didn’t know why, but the didn’t know why, but the flooding brought back flooding brought back nutrients to the soil. As a nutrients to the soil. As a result, the soil remained result, the soil remained healthy for later crops. They healthy for later crops. They represented these represented these unchangeable phenomenon unchangeable phenomenon with the goddess of truth, with the goddess of truth, order, balance, and justice. order, balance, and justice. Namely Ma’at. They believed Namely Ma’at. They believed that without Ma’at, there’d be that without Ma’at, there’d be absolute chaos. absolute chaos.

Ma’atMa’at

(Information from Carnegie Museum of Natural History)

Interconnectedness Interconnectedness Between Between EgyptEgypt and and

MesopotamiaMesopotamia SimilaritiesSimilaritiesBoth the Egyptians Both the Egyptians and and the the Mesopotamian civilizations had Mesopotamian civilizations had a river/rivers around them.a river/rivers around them.

Both civilizations also were Both civilizations also were accomplished in mathematics. accomplished in mathematics.

They had art and agriculture.They had art and agriculture.

Both were polytheists (a Both were polytheists (a religion based on many gods).religion based on many gods).

DifferencesDifferences•A very main difference would be A very main difference would be location. Egypt was in Africa while location. Egypt was in Africa while Mesopotamia was in the Middle East in Mesopotamia was in the Middle East in modern day Iraq.modern day Iraq.

All data, and map from Kjeilen,Tore.

FAQ’sFAQ’s• Q: How were the pyramids built?Q: How were the pyramids built?• A: There are many theories behind the creation of the A: There are many theories behind the creation of the

pyramids. The most likely is that while the pyramid was pyramids. The most likely is that while the pyramid was being built, ramps were being built around it, and the being built, ramps were being built around it, and the stone slabs were rolled into place with logs with someone stone slabs were rolled into place with logs with someone pulling them. The truth is really, that we really don’t know. pulling them. The truth is really, that we really don’t know. Even aliens were credited to help the Egyptians.Even aliens were credited to help the Egyptians.

• Q: Why were the rulers called Pharaohs?Q: Why were the rulers called Pharaohs?• A: Actually, the kings and queens were never called A: Actually, the kings and queens were never called

pharaoh. That was a name given by the Greeks. The pharaoh. That was a name given by the Greeks. The Greeks also renamed Egypt, which was originally called Greeks also renamed Egypt, which was originally called Kemet. Kemet. (Thinkquest)(Thinkquest)

• Q: Did Egypt ever have to endure war?Q: Did Egypt ever have to endure war?• A: Yes. Although Egypt was pretty hard to invade, Libyans A: Yes. Although Egypt was pretty hard to invade, Libyans

and Nubians occasionally tried to invade Egypt. Egyptians and Nubians occasionally tried to invade Egypt. Egyptians also sometimes had problems with who would be in also sometimes had problems with who would be in power. As a result, civil wars began. power. As a result, civil wars began. (Carr, Karen)(Carr, Karen)

• Q: Did the Egyptians have pets?Q: Did the Egyptians have pets?• A: Yes, they had cats as hunting animals as well as pets. A: Yes, they had cats as hunting animals as well as pets.

Some cats were even mummified to ensure a safe journey Some cats were even mummified to ensure a safe journey to the afterlife. to the afterlife. (Carr, Karen)(Carr, Karen)

• Q: What did Egyptians eat?Q: What did Egyptians eat?• A: They mostly ate bread. Beer was even put into A: They mostly ate bread. Beer was even put into

someone’s grave so they’d be able to have it in the someone’s grave so they’d be able to have it in the afterlife. afterlife. (Carr, Karen)(Carr, Karen)

All information from Carr, Karen

•When Alexander took over Egypt, he and the When Alexander took over Egypt, he and the people after him stayed in power. They brought people after him stayed in power. They brought the Greek culture and language, but Egyptians the Greek culture and language, but Egyptians continued to speak their language and worship continued to speak their language and worship their gods. They lost control of Egypt to the their gods. They lost control of Egypt to the Roman known as Augustus in 30 BC.Roman known as Augustus in 30 BC.

•The Romans really liked Egypt because its soil The Romans really liked Egypt because its soil was so rich, and as a result it could produce a was so rich, and as a result it could produce a lot of food. When Egyptians paid their taxes with lot of food. When Egyptians paid their taxes with food, the Romans sent it all the way back to food, the Romans sent it all the way back to Rome. Although it was the Rome. Although it was the Romans Romans that were in that were in control of Egypt, the main language was still control of Egypt, the main language was still Greek. By now even some of the Egyptians Greek. By now even some of the Egyptians could speak Greek. When the Arabs took over could speak Greek. When the Arabs took over Egypt, Egyptians eventually converted to Egypt, Egyptians eventually converted to Islamic, and learned Arabic. A new capital was Islamic, and learned Arabic. A new capital was established, which to this day remains. The new established, which to this day remains. The new capital city became Cairo. capital city became Cairo.

Interesting PicturesInteresting Pictures

SourcesSources• Carr, Karen. “Egyptian History.” Carr, Karen. “Egyptian History.” KidipediaKidipedia. .

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/egypt/index.htm . January 5, 2009. Accessed . January 5, 2009. Accessed January 15, 2009.January 15, 2009.

• Kjeilin, Tore. “Mesopotamia.” Kjeilin, Tore. “Mesopotamia.” LooklexLooklex. . http://looklex.com/e.o/mesopotamia.htm. http://looklex.com/e.o/mesopotamia.htm. Accessed February 20, 2009.

• Kohn, Charles et al. Kohn, Charles et al. World History Societies of the PastWorld History Societies of the Past. Pages 74, 79, 81.. Pages 74, 79, 81.• Lachtane, Karima. “The Greeks Admired Ancient Egyptians.” Lachtane, Karima. “The Greeks Admired Ancient Egyptians.” Ezine Articles. Ezine Articles.

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Greeks-Admired-Ancient-Egypt&id=1616617 . . Accessed Accessed January 10, 2009.January 10, 2009.

• Kinnaer, Jacques. “Old Kingdom.” Kinnaer, Jacques. “Old Kingdom.” The Ancient Egypt Site.The Ancient Egypt Site. http://www.ancient-egypt.org/index.html http://www.ancient-egypt.org/index.html . July 2, 2008. Accessed January 6, 2009.. July 2, 2008. Accessed January 6, 2009. • Morales-Correa, Ben. “Living in Maat – the Natural Order.” Morales-Correa, Ben. “Living in Maat – the Natural Order.” All-About-Egypt: Travel All-About-Egypt: Travel

Beyond the PyramidsBeyond the Pyramids. . http://www.all-about-egypt.com/maat.html http://www.all-about-egypt.com/maat.html . Accessed . Accessed January 14, 2009.January 14, 2009.

• Rymer, Eric. “Ancient Egyptian Culture.” Rymer, Eric. “Ancient Egyptian Culture.” HistoryLink. HistoryLink. http://historylink101.net/egypt_1/a-vizier.htm http://historylink101.net/egypt_1/a-vizier.htm . Accessed December 12, 2009.. Accessed December 12, 2009.

• The Carnegie Museum of Natural History. “View of the World.” The Carnegie Museum of Natural History. “View of the World.” Life in Ancient Life in Ancient Egypt. Egypt. http://www.carnegiemnh.org/exhibits/egypt/guide.htm http://www.carnegiemnh.org/exhibits/egypt/guide.htm . Accessed January . Accessed January 10, 2009.10, 2009.

• Thinkquest. “Ancient Egyptian Government.” Thinkquest. “Ancient Egyptian Government.” Ancient Egyptian Government.Ancient Egyptian Government. http://library.thinkquest.org/3011/egypt3.htm http://library.thinkquest.org/3011/egypt3.htm . July 22, 1996. Accessed December . July 22, 1996. Accessed December 12, 2008.12, 2008.

• Thinkquest. “The Kingdoms of Ancient Egypt.” Thinkquest. “The Kingdoms of Ancient Egypt.” The Kingdoms of Ancient EgyptThe Kingdoms of Ancient Egypt. . http://library.thinkquest.org/J002046F/kingdoms_of_ancient_egypt.htm http://library.thinkquest.org/J002046F/kingdoms_of_ancient_egypt.htm . Accessed . Accessed January 7, 2009.January 7, 2009.