Ancient Egypt

The Nile River MOST important physical feature Longest river in the world 4,160 miles Transportation South to North flow South blowing winds Expected flooding patterns Irrigation Enriched soil

The Nile River Delta – a plain at the mouth of a river. Looks like a fan. Silt – fine soil found on river bottoms. *Nutrient rich* Hapi – the Egyptian god of the Nile River “Hail to you, Oh Nile, who flows from the Earth and comes to keep Egypt alive!” – ancient Egyptian prayer

The Nile River 1. Northern Flow 2. Green = Flooding 3. Winds south from Mediterranean

The Nile River Left deposits behind…. Granite Sandstone Limestone WHAT ARE THESE? WHY DO THESE MATTER?

The Nile River Hunting and fishing communities as early as 6000 B.C. Settled farming communities around 5000 B.C. Trade with Africa to the South Sail upriver. Cataracts – rapids Caravans

First Peoples 12,000 B.C.E. or earlier 6,000 – 5,000 B.C.E. Nomads Fishing Farming Tools

Over Centuries: Two Distinct Cultures Develop Lower Egypt in the North Upper Egypt in the South

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3200 BCE King Menes Unites Upper and Lower Egypt Starts Dynasty Dynasty= a series of rulers from the same family or ethnic group Overtime Trade Improves Land gains Wealthier “The Old Kingdom”

The Old Kingdom 2680-2180 BCE Rulers dubbed Pharaohs Two Social Groups Means: Great House Absolute/Unlimited Power Govt. Leaders, judges, high priests, and generals Two Social Groups Lower Class: Peasants, farmers. Owed service to Pharaoh Upper Class: Pharaoh, Royal family, priests, scribes, govt. officials

The Old Kingdom Memphis – First “capitol” city. Lower Egypt Mastaba – First tombs/pyramids. Flat top The Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx built.

First Intermediate Period 2180-2050 BCE Nobles gain strength Weakened Pharaoh Civil Wars between rivaling nobles Severe Drought 2200-2150 Regional Provinces actually did better without Pharaoh No tribute to Pharaoh, in control of resources Two powerhouses emerge Lower Egypt- Herakleopolis Upper Egypt- Thebes

The Middle Kingdom 2050-1650 BCE New line of pharaohs regain power Known as “Golden Age” Stability and prosperity Subtle change in social structure Afterlife more inclusive Canaanites from East move into the Delta region. Originally workers, seize control 1780 BCE Pharaoh is weakened again Nobles and priests gain power again

Second Intermediate Period Hyksos (Canaanites) Means “foreigners” Technology Chariots and compound bows 1650-1570BCE: rule over much of Egypt Ally with Nubians Thebes left to stand alone

The New Kingdom 1570 – 1080 BCE Upper Egypt forces Hyksos out Pharaohs Strengthen army: chariots and bows Gain land Eastern Mediterranean and Nubia in South Diplomacy, first official peace treaty on record 1258 Create an Empire Individual rule over all Colossal Building Projects

Post Imperial Era 1080-300s BCE Few strong Pharaohs during New Kingdom “Sea Peoples” attack Weaken Foreign empires Assyrians, Nubians, and Persians attack By 300s, Egypt is ruled by foreigners

Lower Egypt Upper Egypt Nubia The Nile River

Cultural Achievements 80 Pyramids still stand today Paintings decorated Pyramids Hieroglyphics- Writing Calendar – 365 day cycle! Herbal Medicines – treat illness and preserve bodies after death Mathematics – based on 10 Ship Building

Education Scribes Elite Learn to read and write Work for government Taught others

Religion Early Egypt had local gods Often associated with an animal Major gods Amon: Creator I identified as the sun Osiris: Judged people after death

Economy Farming! Trade Wheat for food consumption Flax: spun into Linen Cotton for making cloth Trade Mediterranean Red Sea