Objectives 9/27 & 9/28 Compare and contrast the river civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia in a five paragraph essay Explain unique characteristics of Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilization Be able to submit an essay using turnitin.com

Ancient Egypt The Gift of the Nile

Geography Hail to thee, O Nile! Who manifests thyself over this land, and comes to give life to Egypt! Excerpt from Hymn to the Nile Talk to your partner for 30 seconds about this excerpt. Why is the Nile the most important geographic feature to Egyptian civilization?

The Nile flows North and empties into the Mediterranean Sea. The fertile marshy land of lower Egypt is called the Nile River Delta. Lower Egypt refers to the lower part of the river and it is located in the north. Upper Egypt is located south. Cataracts are rapids or waterfalls where riverboats could not pass. Only the land on the banks of the river is fertile. Away from the Nile, the land is desert. The deserts provided protection From invaders.

Nile River Delta The Nile is the longest river in the world at 4,100 miles long.

How did the Geography influence the development of Egyptian civilization? Rich soil along the Nile allowed for the development of agriculture Deserts provided natural barriers from invasion The river allowed for trade with other civilizations

Egyptian history is divided in to three periods: Old Kingdom B.C.E. Middle Kingdom B.C.E. New Kingdom B.C.E.

These periods were characterized by political, economic and social stability. The periods in between were periods of instability caused by weak rulers and governments

Political Around 3100 BCE, the first dynasty arose when a king called Menes united upper and lower Egypt into a single kingdom. The capital was Memphis. Upper Lower United Egypt Egypt dynasty

Political, Continued Strong kings or pharaohs and bureaucratic governments would continue in each of the three time periods, maintaining the unity of Egypt for 2000 years. Dynasties or hereditary rule was common.

What is the impact of a strong ruler and government on a civilization? Brainstorm this with your neighbor.

Political, continued Strong Centralized Government = peace and prosperity, strong economy, and a stable, ordered society. Features of Egypt’s Political system: Divine rule: Pharaohs were god-kings Pharaohs were absolute rulers: guided by Ma’at or order and harmony through truth and justice A Vizier was a royal advisor who was in charge of the government bureaucracy The Bureaucracy consisted of many departments to carry out the functions of government. Pharaohs were the religious leaders. Religious rule = theocracy

Economic Egyptians farmed along the narrow strips of land bordering the Nile River traded along the Nile (Nubia) and into Mesopotamia Paid taxes to the Pharaoh in the form of crops and forced labor on building projects Made paper from papyrus Linen clothing

Trade goods included gold, ivory, cattle, granite blocks, paper and linen Economic

Religion The Egyptians were polytheistic – there were 2,000 gods and goddesses Sun god Re was very important as were river and land deities, Osiris (god of the dead), Isis and Horus. Isis Osiris Horus

The Egyptians believed in an afterlife. When an Egyptian died, his soul was judged by the God, Osiris. Then the soul reconnected with the body to enjoy the same pleasures of their mortal life in the afterlife. The body had to be recognized so it was mummified. Worldly goods such as jewelry, pottery and gold were buried with the body to be enjoyed in the afterlife. Religion

Pyramids were built as the final resting place for Pharaohs who, according to Egyptian beliefs, would rule again through their spirit in the afterlife.

Egyptian Society Pharaoh, queen, royal family Vizier, landowners, government officials priests, army commanders, scribes Merchants, artisans Peasant farmers Unskilled laborers later, slaves. The largest group of people fell into this category. Egyptians could move up or down in society and slaves could buy their freedom. To win the highest positions, one needed to be able to read and write.

Society continued Women had almost as many rights as men. They could own and trade property, were allowed to divorce and there were one or two women who served as Pharaohs. It is believed that women could not read or write. Hatsepshut

Egyptian society enjoyed stability and cultural continuity because the kingdom was united and because of its political stability over long periods of time.

Intellectual The Egyptians developed a pictographic language called hieroglyphics. First written on stone or clay, the Egyptians later developed a paper-like product called Papyrus. It came from reeds that grew in the Nile River delta.

Papyrus

Achievements Egyptians were skilled mathematicians. They used a number system and geometry. Why would these be useful to the Egyptians? Accurate measurement of angles would be necessary for building the pyramids

Achievements - continued The Egyptians would develop a 365-day calendar that was comprised of 12 months, each comprised of 30 days with one 5-day celebration. Why would the Egyptians need a calendar? They needed to know when to plant crops which was based on regular flooding of the Nile. The floods came each year at the same time. As the floods receded, rich silt was left behind which made the soil very fertile –the perfect time for planting crops.

Other Achievements: Medicine – The Egyptians were advanced in developing medicines, performing surgery and in setting broken bones.

Characteristics of the Old Kingdom 2700 – 2200 BCE Building period in which the greatest pyramids were built Egyptians enjoyed prosperity Capital was Memphis Characteristics of Middle Kingdom 2050 – 1652 BCE Focused on the people and public building projects Chracteristics of the New Kingdom 1567 – 1085 BCE Hyksos invasions Bronze weapons and tools adopted from Hyksos Use of Chariot adopted from Hyksos Newer buildings of Luxor and Karnak were luxurious

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