Ancient Egypt Chapter 8, Section 3

Ancient Egypt and the nile Many of the temples and monumental structures of Ancient Egypt still stand! Without the Nile, they probably would not have been built. Over 2,500 years ago, Greek Historian Herodotus said that Egyptian civilization was “the gift of the Nile.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =QLussf-QyjE

The River in the sand Desert covers much of Egypt. Sands spread for hundreds of miles to the west and the south. Desert discouraged invaders. Nile River is called “the river in the sand.”

The River in the sand Yearly floods deposit tons of silt in the river valley. Deposits make the soil black and fertile. Around October, flood waters began to retreat, and the farmers planted seeds. Crops were harvested when the Nile was at its lowest levels.

The River in the sand Egyptians knew the Nile would flood each year. They could not predict how much it would flood or how high the water would rise. Low flooding = food shortages High flooding = destroyed homes and fields

Taming the nile Ancient Egyptians found ways to manage the unpredictable river. Built canals to carry water to areas not flooded. Strengthened riverbanks to keep the river from overflowing. Cities and town grew along the river and made it possible for people from far away to come together.

Taming the nile The Egyptians were expert boat builders. They built harbors and ports for large cargo boats. Since the Nile was such a good source of transportation, there were few roads in Ancient Egypt. Trade was very profitable.

The nile’s gifts Ancient Egyptians used Nile mud to make pottery and bricks. They used the papyrus plant to make a paperlike material called papyrus. The word “paper” comes from papyrus.

The Great builders Ancient Egyptians noticed that bodies buried in the sand on the edge of the desert resisted decay. It might have affected their belief in afterlife. Egyptians built huge pyramids, temples, and monuments.

The pyramids Can recognize them by their shape. Four triangular sides on a rectangular base meet at a single point. Ancient Egyptians built pyramids for their kings or pharaohs. Pyramids are the palaces where kings or pharaohs planned to spend their afterlife.

Materials and labor Used large blocks of stone. The tips were often capped in gold. Pharaohs appointed project managers or leaders to build pyramids. Project managers/leaders wrote everything down using hieroglyphics. Very difficult to shape stone into blocks because there were no cutting tools. All Egyptian families had to help either by providing food or labor.

Fascinating facts about pyramids

The pharaoh and the gods Egyptians believed that the ruling pharaoh was the living son of the sun god, Re. The pharaoh was also linked to the sky god, Horus. The pharaoh was the chief judge, commander in chief, and chief religious figure. His religious examples guided the common people in their daily lives and in their preparations for the afterlife.

Religion in daily life Temples were everywhere in Ancient Egypt to worship: Major gods. Local gods. Pharaohs. Ordinary citizens didn’t gather for prayer in temples—only priests did. Smaller buildings were located outside the temple grounds for common people. Many homes had small shrines for worship.

Religion in daily life

Preparing for the afterlife Average Egyptians were not buried in pyramids. Family members were responsible for burying their dead. Were responsible for making the deceased comfortable in the afterlife. Prevented the bodies from decaying by treating them with preservatives. Filed tombs with items for the afterlife. Made regular offerings to honor the dead.

That’s all, folks