Global Studies 9Ancient egypt

Mrs. Hart and Mrs. Bernier

Geography

• Egypt is located in northeastern Africa.

• The Nile River runs the length of the country flowing south to north.

• The river begins in the mountains of Africa and empties into the Mediterranean Sea.

• Most of Egypt is part of the Sahara Desert.

The Sahara Desert

• The desert created a climate that was extremely hot and dry. It also acted as a barrier that both protected the ancient Egyptians and isolated them for periods of time.

Roots of Egyptian Civilization The ancient Egyptian

civilization began more than 5000 years ago when people settled along the Nile River.

• The Nile was the lifeblood of ancient Egypt because of its fertile soil for farming.

• It made life possible in the otherwise hot, dry desert of Egypt.

• It was the major source of water for bathing, drinking, cooking, and irrigation.

Religion• Then Ancient

Egyptians were polytheistic, meaning they believed that many gods and goddesses ruled the world and the afterlife. Their chief gods were Amon-Re

and Osiris, god of the Nile.

Religion

• Because the Egyptians believed in eternal life after death, they relied on the Book of the Dead to help them through the afterworld. It was a collection of spells, hymns, and prayers intended to secure a safe passage to the underworld for the deceased.

Religion

The Egyptians believed that each soul hadto pass a test in order to win eternal life.worthy souls would enter the Happy Fieldof Food, where they would live forever in happiness.

Religion: Mummification

•Egyptians practiced mummification, the preservation of the body for use in the next life.

Religion: MummificationDuring mummification, the brain of the dead person was extracted through the nose. The most important organs were removed and placed in special jars. Finally the body was filled with spices, then dried and wrapped in strips of linen. The entire process took about 60 days.

Ancient Egyptian Government

Ancient Egyptiangovernment was dominated by a single person, the pharaoh. He was seen not only as their leader, but also a god. He was assisted by his chief minister, also known as a vizier.

Ancient Egyptian GovernmentUnder the vizier, various departments looked after such matters as tax collection, farming, and caring for the irrigation systems. Thousands of scribes carried out the vizier’s instructions.

HIGH PRIESTS AND PRIESTESSESServed gods and goddesses.

PHARAOH & RULING FAMILYEarthly leader; considered a god

VIZIER: Assisted in running government. NOBLES: Fought pharaoh’s wars.

CRAFTSMEN, MERCHANTS, SCRIBESMade furniture, jewelry, and fabrics for

pharaohs and nobles, and provided for other needs.

PEASANT FARMERS AND SLAVESWorked in the fields and served the pharaoh.

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Social Structure

Ancient Egyptian Contributions: Hieroglyphics

• Hieroglyphics was the picture writing used in ancient Egypt. The word hieroglyphics is made up of two Greek words - hieros, which means sacred, and glyphe, which means carving.

• The Egyptian hieroglyphic writing system consists of several hundred picture signs.

Contributions: Rosetta Stone

Contributions: Pyramids

The pyramidswere built as tombs for thepharaohs.

The Great Sphinx

Contributions: Papyrus

Paper made from a reedplant.