Ancient Kingdoms of the Nile Mr. Stowinsky World History
Nile River Valley Had deposits of granite, sandstone, and limestone – building materials Surrounded by ocean and desert – natural barriers from invaders Isthmus of Suez allowed trade from Asia, and also eventually invasion
The Nile River Flows from south to north Provided transportation and a shipping route Gave water to the Egyptians Gave rich soil for growing crops
Early Steps Toward Civilization Hieroglyphics – over 600 picture symbols used for writing Translated using the Rosetta Stone Papyrus – paper-like material made from the papyrus plant
Egyptian Kingdoms Lower Egypt – in the north Upper Egypt – in the south REMEMBER! The Nile flowed from south to north. Menes united Upper & Lower Egypt Dynasty – family of rulers Pharaoh – “great house.” Egyptian leader with absolute power.
The Old Kingdom About 2680 BC – 2180 BC The Great Sphinx and the largest pyramids were built Two classes: Lower class – peasants & farmers Upper class – royalty, priests, scribes, government officials Ended by civil wars, the First Intermediate Period
The Middle Kingdom 2050 BC – 1650 BC “The Golden Age” of Egypt – stability and prosperity Ended by the invading Hyksos who conquered much of egypt with new weapons Bow Chariot Second Intermediate Period
New Kingdom 1570 BC – 1080 BC Strong pharaohs threw the Hyksos out of Egypt Egypt became an empire – A single person or nation rules over many other people or nations
New Kingdom Hatshepsut – The first woman pharaoh Thutmose III – Grew the Egyptian empire to its largest size Amenhotep IV – changed Egyptian religion to believe in only one god, Aton Changed his name to Akhenaton Polytheism – belief in many gods Monotheism – belief in one god After Amenhotep’s death, they changed back to the old religion
Egypt’s Decline Ramses II – the last great pharaoh – kept the empire strong and had many temples built Many people began attacking Egypt – Sea Peoples, Assyrians, Nubians, Persians By 300 BC Egyptians no longer had power over Egypt