Ancient EgyptAncient Egypt

Geography of Ancient EgyptGeography of Ancient Egypt “Gift of the Nile” “Gift of the Nile”

A. A. The Longest River – The NileThe Longest River – The Nile

- The Nile begins near the - The Nile begins near the equatorequator in in Africa and flows Africa and flows northnorth to the to the Mediterranean.Mediterranean.

- In the south the Nile churns with - In the south the Nile churns with cataractscataracts, or waterfalls., or waterfalls.

- The Nile River branches into a - The Nile River branches into a deltadelta:: an an area near a river’s mouth where the area near a river’s mouth where the water deposits fine soil.water deposits fine soil.

- The Upper Nile is in the - The Upper Nile is in the southsouth and the and the Lower Nile is in the Lower Nile is in the northnorth..

- The Nile Floods- The Nile Floods

1. Farmers could predict when 1. Farmers could predict when to plant crops.to plant crops.

B. B. Red Land, Black LandRed Land, Black Land

• The region along the The region along the Nile where people lived Nile where people lived is called theis called the blackblack land land because of the fertile because of the fertile soil the floods soil the floods deposited.deposited.

• The The redred land was land was barren desert beyond barren desert beyond the fertile region.the fertile region.

Black Land

Red Land

C. IsolationC. Isolation• Egypt was Egypt was

protected from protected from enemies because enemies because of:of:

1. It has harsh 1. It has harsh desertdesert climate. climate.

2. The 2. The Mediterranean Mediterranean Coast lacked Coast lacked goodgood harborsharbors..

Land of PlentyLand of Plenty• The The IbisIbis bird flew from the bird flew from the

south just before floods.south just before floods.

• Agricultural TechniquesAgricultural Techniques

- Egyptians dug canals that - Egyptians dug canals that carried water to dry lands.carried water to dry lands.

- They used a tool, called the - They used a tool, called the shadufshaduf, to spread water across , to spread water across the fields which gave them the fields which gave them more farmland.more farmland.

• Egyptian CropsEgyptian Crops

- First to grind - First to grind wheatwheat into flour. into flour.

- Grew vegetables, such as, - Grew vegetables, such as, lettuce, radishes, asparagus, lettuce, radishes, asparagus, and cucumbers.and cucumbers.

Ibis

shaduf

Land of Plenty (Continued)Land of Plenty (Continued)• Grew fruits, such as dates, Grew fruits, such as dates,

figs, grapes, and figs, grapes, and watermelon.watermelon.

• First to weave fibers from First to weave fibers from flaxflax into a fabric called into a fabric called linenlinen..a. men wore - linen wraps.a. men wore - linen wraps.

b. women wore - loose b. women wore - loose sleeveless dresses. sleeveless dresses.

c. They also wove c. They also wove marsh marsh grasses into grasses into

sandals.sandals.

Land of Plenty (Continued)Land of Plenty (Continued)D. D. Egyptian HousesEgyptian Houses

- Egyptians built houses - Egyptians built houses using bricks made of using bricks made of mudmud mixed with chopped mixed with chopped strawstraw..- Most Egyptians slept on - Most Egyptians slept on woven woven reedreed mats. mats.- Wealthy citizens enjoyed - Wealthy citizens enjoyed bed frames and cushions.bed frames and cushions.- Nobles had fancier homes - Nobles had fancier homes with tree lined with tree lined courtyardscourtyards for shade, where poor for shade, where poor Egyptians went to a roof to Egyptians went to a roof to cool off.cool off.

Geography Shapes Egyptian Geography Shapes Egyptian LifeLifeA.A. MiningMining

- Egyptians wanted iron Egyptians wanted iron and and goldgold..

- NubNub was the Egyptian was the Egyptian word for gold.word for gold.

- Nubia got it’s name Nubia got it’s name because it had the richest because it had the richest gold mines in Africa.gold mines in Africa.

- Mining materials was Mining materials was difficult.difficult.

- - Egyptians also mined Egyptians also mined precious precious stonesstones..

B. Fishing and HuntingB. Fishing and Hunting

- Used everything from - Used everything from nets to nets to harpoonsharpoons to to catch fish.catch fish.

- Some of the more - Some of the more adventurous hunters adventurous hunters hunted hunted hipposhippos and and crocodiles.crocodiles.

- They also hunted quail, - They also hunted quail, ducks, and geese.ducks, and geese.

C. Transportation and C. Transportation and TradeTrade

- The Nile became a - The Nile became a highway.highway.- Because of the current, - Because of the current,

the Egyptians used the Egyptians used paddlespaddles to go faster to go faster when traveling when traveling

north. north. Going South Going South they used they used sailssails..- - SurplusesSurpluses led to trade led to trade

with each other.with each other.- Their method of trade - Their method of trade

was called bartering.was called bartering.

Life in Ancient Egypt: Life in Ancient Egypt: Work and Family LifeWork and Family Life

Specialized JobsSpecialized Jobs• Food Food surplusessurpluses

allowed society’s allowed society’s economy to expand.economy to expand.

• Specialized jobs were Specialized jobs were created for the created for the complex Egyptian complex Egyptian society:society:– FarmersFarmers– ScribesScribes– ArtisansArtisans

TradeTrade• Egyptians used the Nile Egyptians used the Nile

to to tradetrade with other with other Africans.Africans.

• Egyptian products Egyptian products traded:traded:– ScrollsScrolls– LinenLinen– GoldGold– JewelryJewelry

• Brought back:Brought back:– Exotic Exotic woodswoods– Animal skinsAnimal skins– Live beastsLive beasts

Rulers and PriestsRulers and Priests• As Egypt grew it was As Egypt grew it was

divided into divided into 4242 provinces. provinces.

• Egypt created an Egypt created an armyarmy to to defend itself.defend itself.

• One of the highest jobs in One of the highest jobs in Egypt was a Egypt was a priestpriest..

• Together priests and rulers Together priests and rulers held held ceremoniesceremonies to please to please the gods.the gods.

• Egyptians believed if the Egyptians believed if the gods were gods were angryangry the Nile the Nile would not flood!would not flood!

SlavesSlaves• At the At the bottombottom of of

society.society.

• How to become a slave:How to become a slave:– Owed a Owed a debtdebt– Committed a crimeCommitted a crime– Captured in warCaptured in war

• Most treated well unless Most treated well unless they worked the they worked the minesmines..– Many died from the Many died from the

exhausted labor.exhausted labor.

Life for WomenLife for Women• Egyptian society men and Egyptian society men and

women had women had equal equal rights.rights.– Could both own and Could both own and

manage their own manage their own propertyproperty..

• Main job for women was to Main job for women was to care for children and their care for children and their home.home.

• Other jobs:Other jobs:– Wove clothWove cloth– Worked fields and Worked fields and

workshops with husbandsworkshops with husbands

• Boys and girls from Boys and girls from wealthywealthy families families went to went to schoolsschools run run by scribes or priests.by scribes or priests.

• Other children Other children learned their learned their parents’ jobs.parents’ jobs.

• Almost all Almost all marriedmarried in their early in their early teensteens!!

ChildhoodChildhood

• Toys:Toys:– DollsDolls– Animal figuresAnimal figures– Board gamesBoard games– MarblesMarbles

• Parents made toys from Parents made toys from wood or clay.wood or clay.

• Played physical games Played physical games with balls made of with balls made of leather or reeds.leather or reeds.

Expanding KnowledgeExpanding KnowledgeAstronomyAstronomy• Priests studied Priests studied skysky

as part of their as part of their religionreligion

• Developed world’s Developed world’s first practical first practical calendarcalendar

Geometry Geometry • Used knotted Used knotted ropesropes

to measure land to measure land boundaries after the boundaries after the Nile flooded.Nile flooded.

• Squares and triangles Squares and triangles were were sacredsacred..– Used to design Used to design

royal temples and royal temples and monuments.monuments.

MedicineMedicine• Doctors prepared Doctors prepared

dead dead bodiesbodies for for burial.burial.

• Performed some of Performed some of the world’s first the world’s first surgeriessurgeries.. •Doctors believed the Doctors believed the

heartheart controlled controlled thought and the thought and the brainbrain circulated blood.circulated blood.

•Some doctors Some doctors specialized in medicines specialized in medicines using using herbsherbs..

• Egyptian writing system Egyptian writing system developed about 3000 B.C.developed about 3000 B.C.

• Started with Started with 700700 characters and ended with characters and ended with more than more than 6,0006,000!!

• Developed a paper called Developed a paper called papyruspapyrus..– Was light and easy to Was light and easy to

carrycarry– Used to create first Used to create first

booksbooks

HieroglyphsHieroglyphs

Beliefs and ReligionBeliefs and ReligionLife After DeathLife After Death

• Believed the gods Believed the gods favored them.favored them.

• Believed in a Believed in a happyhappy afterlifeafterlife..

Many GodsMany Gods

• Believed in Believed in polytheismpolytheism..

• Worshiped nature gods:Worshiped nature gods:– Re (Re (Amon-Re): Amon-Re): sun godsun god– Osiris: god who judged Osiris: god who judged

Egyptians after deathEgyptians after death– Isis: fertility goddess; Isis: fertility goddess;

Osiris’s wifeOsiris’s wife– Anubis: god of the Anubis: god of the

deaddead

Making MummiesMaking Mummies

• Thought they Thought they would need their would need their body in the body in the afterlifeafterlife..

• Took about Took about 7070 days.days.

• Very expensive.Very expensive.

• How to How to embalmembalm a dead person: a dead person:– Remove all Remove all organsorgans except their except their heartheart– Fill the body with a mixture of Fill the body with a mixture of saltsalt and herbs and herbs– When dried, wrap in hundreds of yards of When dried, wrap in hundreds of yards of

linenlinen strips. strips. – Placed in a sarcophagus (coffin) in a tombPlaced in a sarcophagus (coffin) in a tomb– Tomb held everyday objects, furniture, and Tomb held everyday objects, furniture, and

foodfood– Walls painted with pictures; believed Walls painted with pictures; believed

picturespictures would become real. would become real.

Mummy makerMummy maker

The Pyramid The Pyramid BuildersBuilders

The Old KingdomThe Old Kingdom

• The First DynastyThe First Dynasty

- Legend says a king, - Legend says a king, Narmer, united Narmer, united UpperUpper and and LowerLower Egypt. Egypt.

- Some historians believe - Some historians believe that several kings joined that several kings joined the two lands.the two lands.

- The Ruler of Egypt wore - The Ruler of Egypt wore the the DoubleDouble Crown. Crown.

- First Dynasty: began - First Dynasty: began around 2925 B.C.around 2925 B.C.

Old Kingdom Continued…

• When a king died he was usually When a king died he was usually replaced by one of his children replaced by one of his children

- - SuccessionSuccession: members of royal : members of royal family inherit the throne.family inherit the throne.

- Historians divided the dynasties - Historians divided the dynasties into: into: OldOld Kingdom, Kingdom, MiddleMiddle Kingdom, Kingdom,

and and NewNew Kingdom Kingdom

Pharaohs Pharaohs RuleRule

The king of Egypt The king of Egypt became known as a became known as a pharaohpharaoh, which , which means “means “greatgreat house”.house”.

- It was originally used It was originally used to describe the king’s to describe the king’s palace.palace.

Egyptians believed Egyptians believed pharaohs was a pharaohs was a godgod, , blamed him for hard blamed him for hard times.times.

- In this case, a rival In this case, a rival might drive him from might drive him from power.power.

Pharaoh’s Rule Continued…

Since pharaoh seen as God, religion Since pharaoh seen as God, religion and government was not and government was not separateseparate

- Priests had much power in - Priests had much power in government. Many high officials were government. Many high officials were priests.priests.

Khufu’s Khufu’s GreatGreat

PyramidPyramid

Early PyramidsEarly Pyramids

• First rulers were First rulers were buried in buried in undergroundunderground tombs, tombs, topped with brickstopped with bricks

• Later replaced bricks Later replaced bricks with small pyramidwith small pyramid

- - pyramidpyramid: structure : structure shaped like a triangle, shaped like a triangle, four sides meet at a four sides meet at a point.point.

Khufu’s Great Pyramid Continued…• KingKing Djoser Djoser built larger pyramid built larger pyramid

over his tomb around 2630 B.C.over his tomb around 2630 B.C.

- StepStep pyramid: sides rise in a series pyramid: sides rise in a series of giant stepsof giant steps

- It is the oldest-known large stone It is the oldest-known large stone structure in the world.structure in the world.

The Great The Great PyramidPyramid

• 8080 years later, pharaoh years later, pharaoh KhufuKhufu wanted to show wanted to show the world his greatnessthe world his greatness

- He ordered to build the He ordered to build the largest pyramid ever.largest pyramid ever.

- Each side was Each side was 760760 feet feet long, 2.3 million blocks long, 2.3 million blocks were used.were used.

• FarmersFarmers worked during worked during Nile’s flood season, Nile’s flood season, others worked all yearothers worked all year

• The Great Pyramid took The Great Pyramid took 20 20 years to build.years to build.

- An estimated 20,000 - An estimated 20,000 Egyptians worked on it.Egyptians worked on it.

Grave Grave RobbersRobbers

• Egyptians later Egyptians later stoppedstopped building building pyramids, in part pyramids, in part due to robberydue to robbery

- Grave robbers Grave robbers broke into tombs to broke into tombs to steal steal treasuretreasure and and mummiesmummies..

• Egyptians believed Egyptians believed robbery kept the robbery kept the buried from having buried from having a a happy happy afterlife.afterlife.

Grave Robbers Continued…

• In the New Kingdom, pharaohs began In the New Kingdom, pharaohs began building building secretsecret tombs. tombs.

- Burial chambers were hidden in Burial chambers were hidden in mountainsmountains near the Nile. near the Nile.

- Pharaohs hoped to protect their Pharaohs hoped to protect their bodies and treasures from robbers.bodies and treasures from robbers.

Inside the Inside the TombsTombs

• Pyramids had Pyramids had several several passageways passageways leading to leading to differentdifferent rooms. rooms.

- They wanted to They wanted to confuseconfuse the the robbersrobbers

• Tombs were Tombs were palacespalaces in the in the afterlife.afterlife.

• Mourners filled the tomb with many Mourners filled the tomb with many objects. objects.

- Some were Some were foodfood, , furniture furniture

- Some tombs contained small Some tombs contained small statuesstatues that were servants for the that were servants for the dead pharaoh.dead pharaoh.

Middle Middle KingdomKingdom

InvasionsInvasions• By 2130 B.C., kings By 2130 B.C., kings

began to began to lose lose power to power to local province rulers.local province rulers.

- For about For about 500500 more more years, the kings held years, the kings held Egypt together.Egypt together.

- However, with a much However, with a much weaker central weaker central government.government.

• Nomadic Nomadic HyksosHyksos invaded from northeast invaded from northeast with chariots, better with chariots, better weapons.weapons.

- After 100 years, the - After 100 years, the Egyptians drove out Egyptians drove out the Hyksos and began the Hyksos and began the New Kingdom.the New Kingdom.

The New KingdomThe New Kingdom• The New Kingdom The New Kingdom

included some of Egypt’s included some of Egypt’s most powerful rulers.most powerful rulers.

• Set up new capital city Set up new capital city of of ThebesThebes (450 miles (450 miles south of Memphis)south of Memphis)

• Strengthened and Strengthened and expandedexpanded Egypt’s Egypt’s

EmpireEmpire

A Woman PharaohA Woman PharaohTaking PowerTaking Power

• Queen Hatshepsut was Queen Hatshepsut was the first the first womanwoman pharaoh.pharaoh.

• Ruled with her Ruled with her stepson, Thutmose III.stepson, Thutmose III.

• 1472 B.C. ruled herself 1472 B.C. ruled herself the the onlyonly ruler and ruler and wore a fake beard.wore a fake beard.

Trade GrowsTrade Grows

• Made Egypt richer Made Egypt richer through through tradetrade..

• Largest Largest expedition expedition crossed crossed EasternEastern DesertDesert to the to the Red Sea.Red Sea.

MonumentsMonuments

• Most famous Most famous monument was called monument was called the the obeliskobelisk..

• FourFour-sided shaft with -sided shaft with a a pyramidpyramid-shaped -shaped top.top.

• Artisans carved her Artisans carved her great deeds into the great deeds into the red granite blocks.red granite blocks.

Mysterious EndMysterious End

• Hatshepsut Hatshepsut disappeared after disappeared after 1515 years of rule.years of rule.

• Thutmose III became Thutmose III became pharaoh after her pharaoh after her death.death.

• He tried to destroy He tried to destroy all all recordsrecords of her of her reign.reign.

A Reforming PharaohA Reforming PharaohA New BeliefA New Belief

• Akhenaton became Akhenaton became pharaoh in 1353 B.C.pharaoh in 1353 B.C.

• Lifted Lifted AtonAton (sun god) to (sun god) to the highest status.the highest status.

• Closed temples of other Closed temples of other gods.gods.

• Those gods’ priests lost Those gods’ priests lost power. power.

• Promoted the worship of Promoted the worship of oneone god for the first time god for the first time in history.in history.

Realistic ArtRealistic Art

• New way of New way of thinking affected thinking affected art.art.

• First time to show First time to show realisticrealistic pictures pictures and carvings. i.e. and carvings. i.e. it shows it shows Akhenaton’s large Akhenaton’s large stomachstomach..

Reform EndsReform Ends

• ThreeThree years after years after Akhenaton's death Akhenaton's death Tutankhamen Tutankhamen became pharaoh in became pharaoh in 1333 B.C.1333 B.C.

• Advisers convinced Advisers convinced him to end him to end Akhenaton's new Akhenaton's new religion and religion and worship the old worship the old gods.gods.

A Powerful PharaohA Powerful Pharaoh• In 1279 B.C. In 1279 B.C.

Ramses II began Ramses II began his 66-year his 66-year reignreign..Empire BuilderEmpire Builder

• Ramses wanted to Ramses wanted to expandexpand rule through rule through warwar..

• Extended rule to Extended rule to NubiaNubia and to the and to the Eastern Eastern Mediterranean Sea.Mediterranean Sea.

• Bordered the empire Bordered the empire of the of the HittitesHittites..

Military LeaderMilitary Leader

• Ramses led the Ramses led the Egyptians into Egyptians into battle against the battle against the HittitesHittites..

• Ramses claimed a Ramses claimed a victory.victory.

• Created the first Created the first known known peacepeace treatytreaty in the world in the world with the Hittites.with the Hittites.

• Made Egyptian Made Egyptian government stable.government stable.

• No enemy No enemy threatened Egypt.threatened Egypt.

• Nile flooding was Nile flooding was more more reliablereliable during this time.during this time.

• Crops were more Crops were more plentiful than ever.plentiful than ever.

Ramses’ ReignRamses’ Reign

• Built himself the Built himself the HouseHouse of of RamsesRamses– Four Four 6666ft. statues ft. statues

of himself to guard of himself to guard his temple.his temple.

– Wanted to appear Wanted to appear god-likegod-like

• Reigned until 1213 Reigned until 1213 B.C. when he was B.C. when he was over the age of 90over the age of 90

Egypt’s DeclineEgypt’s Decline• Egypt’s central Egypt’s central

government government weakenedweakened after after Ramses II.Ramses II.

• After about 1070 After about 1070 B.C. B.C. foreignforeign leaders ruled leaders ruled Egypt.Egypt.– i.e. Alexander the i.e. Alexander the

Great (king of Great (king of Macedonia)Macedonia)

• Macedonia rulers Macedonia rulers continued to hold continued to hold power in Egypt power in Egypt after Alexander’s after Alexander’s death.death.

• CleopatraCleopatra was the was the last Macedonian last Macedonian ruler before the ruler before the RomanRoman Empire Empire took over.took over.