Introduction to Egypt Debra Fisher-Nichols EPMS 6th Social Studies

The Nile River Valley

The geography played a key role in the development of the Egyptian civilization along the Nile River The Nile River is the longest river in the world. (4,000 miles)

Ancient Egypt contained two regions: Upper Egypt because this area was upstream from the mouth of the river, Lower Egypt because this area was located down river or near the mouth of the river.

The Nile created a fertile valley about 13 miles wide The Nile created a fertile valley about 13 miles wide. Outside of this rich fertile soil were hundreds of miles of deserts. Along the Nile were cataracts or rapid flowing water over rocks. These cataracts helped slow down invaders who tried to attack Egypt by using the Nile River.

In Lower Egypt near the mouth of the river is a triangular area of fertile land. This is where the Nile branches out as it enters the Mediterranean Sea. This area is called the Nile Delta and is where two thirds of the rich farmland of Egypt was located.

Most of the time it was very dry in Egypt, but in the fall heavy rains would fall in the lands of East Africa. These heavy rains flowed down the mountains and fed into the Nile. This caused the Nile to flood as it moved towards Lower Egypt. This was a regular happening so the Egyptians could predict when it would occur.

When they knew the floods were coming they would stop working in the fields and allow the river to flood the land, leaving rich deposits of silt. While their land was flooded farmers would work for the pharaoh to work on building projects in the cities. When the flood waters receded the farmers would return to their fields and begin planting their crops.

Hunter gathers moved into the Nile Valley about 12,000 years ago. Like the Mesopotamians the hunter gatherers learned how to domesticate plants and animals and to irrigate the land.

Let’s Check Our Understanding Having an abundant supply of food along with the natural barriers of deserts, the Mediterranean Sea as well as the Red Sea, the Nile River Valley was an ideal place for the civilization to prosper. Let’s Check Our Understanding Active Inspire #1

As we learned before, Ancient Egypt was divided into two regions or kingdoms, Upper and Lower Egypt. In Lower Egypt the king ruled and wore a red crown to symbolize his authority. In Upper Egypt another king rules and he wore a white crown.

An earlier king named Scorpion, had tried to unite both Upper and Lower Egypt but he wasn’t successful. The king in Upper Egypt wanted to finish what King Scorpion was unsuccessful at accomplishing.

Around 3100 BC a king named Menes rose to power in Upper Egypt invaded Lower Egypt and took control. He married a princess in Lower Egypt to strengthen his control over the now unified country. To symbolize his leadership he combined the crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt into one crown.

King Menes is considered the first pharaoh of Egypt King Menes is considered the first pharaoh of Egypt. The word ‘pharaoh’ means great house. King Menes also created Egypt’s first dynasty. A dynasty is a series of rulers from the same family. King Menes had the new capital of Egypt located near the Egyptian delta in a city called Memphis. This first dynasty lasted for about 200 years.

Let’s Check Our Understanding This first dynasty began to extend its control over more areas moving southward along the Nile River and into southwestern Asia. Rivals began to challenge the Egyptians for power. These challengers later took over Egypt and established the second dynasty. Let’s Check Our Understanding Active Inspire #2