Geography & Ancient Egypt 4-1 Part I

Today’s Discussion Questions: 4-1 1. Who were the first Egyptians & when did they live? 2. What are Egypt’s natural geographical barriers? 3. How is the flooding of the Nile River different from the flooding of the Tigris and Euphrates? 4. Why did the Egyptians look forward to the flooding each year? 5. How did Egyptians use the Nile River? 6. What two kingdoms made up Egypt in 4000BC? 7. Who united Egypt into one kingdom and why did he wear double crown? 8. How many dynasties did Egypt have?

The First Egyptians Hunters and Food gatherers moved into the Nile River Valley from less fertile areas more than 12,000 years ago. They settled down, farmed the land, and created villages. They became the 1st Egyptians

A Sheltered Land Egyptians rarely faced threats due to the natural protection. Although somewhat isolated, they used the Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea to trade with people outside Egypt. Desert lies east and west of the Nile River Valley The Mediterranean Sea lies to the north The Red Sea lies to the east Dangerous cataracts lie in the southern region

Key Facts to remember The Sahara is 3.5 million square miles (Roughly the size of the U.S.) Average temperature 110-115 degrees The Nile River is approximately 4,100 miles long Travels south to north

The River People Mesopotamia was not the only place where an advanced civilization grew up along a river. Like the Mesopotamians, Egyptians had to deal with flooding as well. However, the Nile’s flooding was much more dependable and gentle than the Tigris/Euphrates. It brought life to the region.

Flooding Nile River Every spring, heavy rains from central Africa and melting snow from the highlands of east Africa added to the Nile. The Egyptians looked forward to this because it left behind a layer of dark, fertile mud called Silt. This made the land fertile and suitable for farming.

Gift of the Nile World’s longest river: over 4,000 miles long Begins as two separate rivers: Blue & White Nile Egypt receives little rainfall Depends greatly upon the Nile River Drinking, bathing, farming, cooking, & cleaning It provided fish and supported plants and animals

A United Egypt Egypt’s skillful farming led to a surplus of food which allowed them to work as artisans Wove cloth, made pottery, carved statues, and shaped weapons and tools. As more goods became available, the more they traded with one another. Soon, they began to trade beyond their borders. Learned ideas about writing and government.

Rise in Government Advances in farming, crafts, and trade created a need for government. There was a need to control: Irrigation Distribution of grain Settling disputes, etc. The earliest rulers were village chiefs Over time, the strong chiefs united groups of villages into small kingdoms.

Upper and Lower Egypt The strongest kingdoms eventually overpowered the weaker ones. By 4000BC, Egypt was made up of two large kingdoms. Lower Egypt: (North) Upper Egypt: (South) The king of Lower Egypt ruled from a town called Pe. The king of Upper Egypt ruled from Nekhen and he wore a cone shaped white crown.

The Ruling Families 3100BC, the two kingdoms became one. Menes (Narmer) was king of Upper Egypt who then took control of Lower Egypt. Ruled from Memphis He wore a double crown to symbolize the kingdom’s unity. He is considered to be Egypt’s first pharaoh.

Ruling Families Narmer’s united kingdom lasted about 200 years after his death. Members of his family passed the ruling power from father to son to grandson. This line of rulers from one family is called a dynasty. When one dynasty died out another took its place. Egypt had a total of 31 dynasties. Historians group these dynasties into three periods. Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms

End of Section 1

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