Intro to Egypt CHW3M

Egypt Egypt coalesces into a cohesive kingdom around 3100 BCE not long after establishment of Sumeria Various dynasties ruled over Egypt for about 3000 years Outside forces dominate Egypt towards the end Nubians, Assyrians, Persians in late dynastic period Greeks take over in 332 BCE, Romans in 48 BCE In 642 CE Arabs take control

Geography Egyptian civilization is based along the Nile river The “backbone” of Egypt The ancient Egyptians thought of Egypt as being divided into two types of land: the 'black land' and the 'red land’

The Black Land A.K.A. Kemet The fertile land on the banks of the Nile Used for growing crops This was the only land in ancient Egypt that could be farmed because a layer of rich, black silt was deposited there every year after the Nile flooded

The Red Land A.K.A. Deshret Barren desert that protected Egypt on two sides These deserts separated ancient Egypt from neighbouring countries and invading armies They also provided the ancient Egyptians with a source for precious metals and semi-precious stones Also contained six oases (or wadis)

The Nile Not only important for agriculture (silt, irrigation) Also a key transportation system between communities Stable and predictable (moreso than Tigris or Euphrates)

Upper vs Lower Egypt Upper Egypt consists of the Nile river valley 6-20 km wide Called ta-shema (land of the shema reed) High cliffs and mountains on either side of river River flows in a single stream all the way to Cairo

Upper vs Lower Egypt Lower Egypt starts at Cairo, where the Nile separates into branches and flows out through the Nile river delta into the Mediterranean Called ta-mehu (land of the papyrus plant) Very fertile plain Lots of waterfowl Access to Mediterranean was important for trade