The Old Kingdom Chapter 4 Lesson 2

Objectives Explain ancient Egypt’s political structure. Describe the earliest uses of Egyptian writing Describe early Egyptian architecture.

Vocabulary Diplomacy- relations between countries Nation-State- region with united people and single government Dynasty- series of rulers from the same family Vizier- chief advisor (works for King) Hieroglyphs- picture symbols Papyrus- paper-like material used for writing Pyramids- largest stone structures in the world; served as tombs for Egyptian rulers

Egypt Unites About 3100 BC King Narmar united Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt This began the Egyptian period that historians now call the Old Kingdom It was a time when the Egyptians believed that their kings were living gods This belief helped unify the people, and it also allowed the kings to maintain their authority

Written Forms of Language The Egyptians may have borrowed the idea of writing from the Sumerians They developed a writing system that used hieroglyphs in about 3100 BC

Building the Pyramids Because they were thought to be living gods, Egyptian kings were able to use huge amounts of Egypt’s resources and the whole society to build pyramids The pyramids served as tombs for Egyptian rulers

Preparing for the Afterlife The tomb of royalty contained everything a royal person might need in the afterlife, including the person’s mummified body

Summary The belief that Egyptian kings were living gods helped them maintain their authority The kings ordered pyramids built as their burial places. The Egyptians came to believe that all people could enter the afterlife.