The Nile River Why it was so important to Egypt and how it influenced the lives of people in Ancient Egypt

GEOGRAPHICAL FACTS About The Nile The Nile is the longest river in the world. It flows from South to North. The Nile cuts through all of these countries: Egypt, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, The Congo and Eritrea It is roughly 6,500km long. However people aren’t sure where the river starts as there are many other rivers and streams that branch off from the Nile. All of Egypt’s major cities and towns are along the Nile river.

WHY IS IT BENEFICIAL TO SETTLE BY THE NILE? When a country first settles, it is usually near water. E.g. Why is water so important to a country? What are its uses? How does water help a country in these Ancient times? What reasons can you think of? #1) Humans need clean water to drink #2) Water is a great food supply, both In terms of fish AND in terms of plants #3) You can use water for washing Therefore there are less diseases #4) You can use water to plant crops #5) Good for transport and trade.

WHY The Nile river FLOODING WAS A GOOD THING FOR THE EGYPTIANS The Nile River would flood once per year. The Egyptians knew where the flood waters would go, and would build their towns around the flood areas. The flood waters carried heaps of excellent soil. This means that new crops could be planted and they would be very successful. The flood waters also provided water to the crops that were already there. If it wasn’t for the flood, there wouldn’t be enough food or water for the Egyptians.

THE EGYPTIANS, THE NILE & THEIR GOD Ancient Egyptians were known to value and worship many gods. The Nile was so special and important to the ancient Egyptians that they worshipped The Nile River as a god. They called this god: “Hapi” (Harpy) Hymn to Hapi: Lightmaker who comes from the dark Fattener of herds Might that fashions all None can live without him People are clothed with the flax of his fields Thou makest all the land to drink unceasingly, as thou descendest on thy way from the heavens.

Why Did the Nile Flood? What actually happened… What the Egyptians believed: What actually happened… Isis, the Egyptian god of nature and magic would cry once per year because of her dead husband Osiris. Osiris was the god of the afterlife and death. Isis’ tears was the flood water that bought life and food. The water cycle happened. Huge amounts of rain would fall on the mountains to the South of Egypt. This rain would then flow into the Nile River and overflow the river further North. This is why the river would overflow even though there wasn’t enough rain in Egypt itself to get it there.

USES OF the Nile Flood http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=v_a3N0mx8zE&feature=BFa&list=PLC3D30FD41C5C11BE Key word to know: Inundation = (yearly flood) brought fresh soil to the farming land. Students: Use your Cornell Note template to take notes etc from this clip.

Students: Add onto your Cornell Notes of any more important information