EGYPT Mrs. Dell

Egypt is the intersection of Africa & Asia, but protected by the desert and a marshy seacoast Egypt was very isolated and had little to do with other civilizations (culture/tech. not influenced) Kingdoms of Egypt and Nubia were both in the flood zone of the Nile River Nile River is the world’s longest river that ends at the Mediterranean Sea Asia Africa

“Gift of the Nile” 90% of the country is desert, mnts, & rocks People live along the river Delta for agricultural purposes and drinking water Travel and communication centered around the river Most cities located away from the M. Sea Nile flows South to North No ports in Egypt Territory from the delta to the first cataract. Below: Nubia/Kush/Sudan

Natural Resources Fertile soil around river Papyrus reeds used for making sails, ropes, and paper Clay and building stone

Egypt V. Mesopotamia Egypt had clay like Mesopotamia, BUT, Egypt also had copper, turquoise, and gold within reach Forced labor was used to exploit the natural resources making Egypt extremely self-sufficient

Scenes from Ancient Egyptian Daily Life

KINGS (Pharaoh) God-King - unlike Mesopotamia ◦Religious  direct descendant of the Sun god (Re)  controls access to the afterlife The rulers were mostly male, but there were a few females ( Nefertiti) King’s job was to maintain ma’at- the order of the universe King was source of law and justice

Ramses II B. C. E. Tutankhamen B. C. E. Thutmose III B. C. E. Famous Egyptian Pharaohs

Kings cont…. People built pyramids for the Kings during flood season when agriculture couldn’t be done Labor for pyramids was considered a religious service…guaranteed prosperity

Egyptian History Divided Old Kingdom ( BCE) ◦Hieroglyphics and religion develop in Egypt ◦pyramids built Middle Kingdom ( BCE) ◦extension of Egyptian control into Nubia New Kingdom ( BCE) ◦militaristic - Hebrews enslaved ◦mummification perfected

Government There were about 30 dynasties in Egyptian history Capitals were placed in the area of original power (Memphis, Thebes) Complex bureaucracy (track resources) Kings levied taxes up to 50%- used to support the palace, military, bureaucracy, maintain temples, and build monuments for King No middle class existed

Life in Egypt Large percentage of people lived in farming villages- NOT urban areas (unlike Mesopotamia) Most urban sites are buried beneath modern cities (lack of cultivable land)

Hieroglyphics Writing system used Picture symbols used to depict words, syllables, or sounds Used on monuments Usually written on papyrus Recordkeeping, literary composition, poetry, tales, religious hymns

Rosetta Stone Stone found with writing in two languages: Egyptian and Greek Written in three scripts: hieroglyphics, demotic, and Greek The Rosetta Stone was carved in 196 B.C It is called the Rosetta Stone because it was discovered in a town called Rosetta (Rashid). Written to honor an Egyptian pharaohs good deeds

People No major migration into Egypt Less pronounced social divisions than Mes. Slavery existed on a limited scale (criminals, debtors, prisoners of war) Slaves were treated humanely

Women of Egypt Tomb paintings are used to interpret life of women Elite women were portrayed with dignity and of lighter skin (stayed out of sun)

Women in Egypt v. Mesopotamia Women could own property Women inherited from their parents Could will their property to whomever they chose Marriages were typically monogamous but women could divorce their husbands Regardless of rights…women were still subordinate to the men

Religion Mostly polytheistic- few monotheistic Kings (Amenhotep IV) Kings built temples and made lavish gifts to the gods Belief in afterlife- only for the rich Afterlife was just like this one so they took everything and everyone needed with them Obsession with afterlife led to mummification

Mummies Perfected by time of New Kingdom How to make a mummy: 70 steps ◦1) Removal of the brain through the nostrils 2) Removal of the intestines through an incision in the side 3) Sterilization of the body and intestines 4) Treating, cleaning, dehydrating the intestines 5) Packing the body with natron (a natural dehydrating agent) and leaving for 40 days 6) Removal of the natron agent 7) Packing the limbs with clay or sand 8) Packing the body with linen (soaked in resin), myrrh and cinnamon 9) Treating the body with ointments and finally wrapping with a fine linen gauze, not less than 1000 square yards.

Canopic Jars made of alabaster for storage of heart, stomach, intestines and liver which were also treated

Mummy Inner coffin Second inner coffin Second inner coffin lid

Preparation for the Afterlife

Egyptian Mummies Seti I B. C. E. Queen Tiye, wife of Amenhotep II B. C. E. Ramses II B. C. E.

The Final Judgment Anubis Horus Osiris