Ancient Egypt(Nile River Valley)

Notes

EgyptA nation in northeast Africa, first settled around 3100 B.C.E.

Kush

A society along the Nile River, south of Egypt, from 2000-350 B.C.E.

Nile RiverThe longest river in the world; flows from Eastern Africa to a delta in northeastern Egypt

Old Kingdom (Age of the Pyramids)• 2700-2200 B.C.E.

• Pharaohs set up a strong central government

• Great pyramids built as tombs for themselves

Middle Kingdom (Period of Reunification)• 2000-1800 B.C.E.

• Follows years of chaos and disunity.

• Great achievements in literature, art, and architecture.

New Kingdom (Egypt’s Golden Age)• 1600-1100 B.C.E.

• Pharaohs increased trade and built huge monuments.

• Time of peace and stability

• Egyptians believed that Pharaohs were gods and after death, would enter an afterlife that would never end. They built tombs to last.

Egyptian Pharaohs

Pharaoh Khufu (The Pyramid Builder)• Ruled in Old Kingdom and declared himself a god.

• Began construction on the Great Pyramid at Giza.

• Established the Pharaoh as the central authority. He oversaw Egypt’s food supply, storage of grain, and harvest.

Pharaoh Senusret I (Patron of the Arts)• Ruled during Middle Kingdom.

• Art, literature, and religious architecture flourished during his reign.

Pharaoh Hatshepsut (Promoter of Egyptian Trade)

• Ruled in New Kingdom

• First female Pharaoh (first shared power with male relatives but took over as sole ruler)

• Kept loyal advisors, sometimes dressed in men’s clothing and wore a fake beard.

• Known for encouraging trade, promoting art and architecture.

Pharaoh Ramses II (Military Leader)

• Ruled during New Kingdom for over 60 years.

• Known as Ramses the Great

• Best known for fearless military leadership and monument building (including famous temple complex at Abu Simbel).

• Signed world’s first peace treaty with the Hittites.

• Had more than 100 wives and more than 100 children

Pharaoh Tutankhamen (Young King)

• Ruled during New Kingdom.

• Known as King Tut

• Began rule at age of 10 and died at 19, had advisors to help him, married half-sister.

• Erected monuments in Thebes and Karnak, made Thebes capital of Egypt.

• His tomb was discovered in 1922, and his mummy still rests in the Valley of the Kings.

SphinxMythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a man

hieroglyphics

Egyptian writing system that consisted of symbols.

PapyrusPaper-like material made from reeds.

Rosetta StoneStone slab with Egyptian hieroglyphics, Demotic (Egyptian common language) and Greek writing. It was carved in 196 B.C.E. and found in 1799 by French soldiers.

Obelisk

Tall four-sided monument

with pyramid-like point on top.