Early Civilizations - Egypt

Geography Nile River Settlements arose along the Nile’s fertile soil Gift of the Nile- Nile River was predictable FLOODS REGULARLY Egyptians worshiped it as a god who gave life and seldom turned against them

Geography Some environmental risks (1) Dependent on Nile River When the floodwaters were just a few feet lower than normal, the amount of fresh silt and water for crops was greatly reduced and people starved When the floodwaters were a few feet higher then normal, houses, granaries and seeds were destroyed (2) Deserts Forced to live on a small portion of land Reduced their interaction with other people However, the desert shut out invaders.

Geography Two different regions – Upper and Lower Egypt Upper Egypt – River area in the south Lower Egypt – Area in the north, near the sea Nile delta region – a broad, marshy, triangular area of land formed by deposits of silt Nile connected two regions provided a reliable system of transportations

Pharaohs Egyptian god-kings were called pharaohs – considered real gods Theocracy Type of government in which rule is based on religious authority Pharaoh stood at the center of Egypt’s religion and its government and army He caused the sun to rise, the Nile to flood and the crops to grow

Pyramids The resting place after death where the pharaoh would continue to rule Pharaoh had an eternal life force, or ka, which which continued to govern after death Pyramids were remarkable engineering achievements Pyramids demonstrated the strength of the civilization Economic strength Advanced technology https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_9BMJpOzLo

Egyptian Culture Religion important to society Polytheistic Worshipped more than 2,000 gods and goddesses Isis – represented the ideal mother and wife Re – the sun god Osiris – god of the dead Believed in an afterlife Other World -- the heart could be no heavier than a feather Kings and queens built great tombs for the afterlife Mummification Mummy placed in a coffin inside a tomb https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gD0K7oH92U&t =2s Optimistic view of life; more confident

Mummification Tools https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gD0K7oH92U

Life in Egyptian Society Social Classes Pyramid Not locked within social classes – marriage and successful jobs would mean higher status To win the highest positions must read and write Women in Egypt held many of the same rights as men

Life in Egyptian Society Writing Hieroglyphics Picture stood for an idea Deciphered when the Rosetta stone was found Written on stone and clay at first Invented a better writing surface – papyrus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHaFf8 1uFKY https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ world-history/world-history- beginnings/ancient/v/rosetta-stone-196-b- c-e

Life in Egyptian Society Science and Technology Calendar developed to keep track of the time between floods Used tools to survey and reset property boundaries Mathematical knowledge needed to construct pyramids and palaces Most famous hospital in ancient world – set broken bones, treated wounds and fevers and even performed brain surgery Priests observed the star, Sirius, appeared above the eastern horizon just before the floods came.

King Tutankhamen http://www.premierexhibitions.com/exhibitio ns/13/13/discovery-king-tut