Pyramids on the Nile

What was the most important geographic feature of Egypt? Nile River –Many settlements –Yearly Flood

What were some of the environmental challenges of Egypt? Environmental Challenges –More regular than Mesopotamia –Waters low - silt and crops down - starvation –Waters high - Destroyed homes, seeding

More Geography South (Upper Egypt) North (Lower Egypt) Nile - Transportation –Unified villages, promoted trade

King Narmer 3000 BC United Upper and Lower Capital at Memphis

How was the Kingdom run? Pharaohs rule as gods Egyptians - Kings were gods Theocracy - Rule based on religious authority Pharaohs cause sun to rise, Nile to flood, crops to grow

What was the purpose of the Pyramids? Ka – eternal life force Tombs important Pyramid - resting place after death Supply of stone - granite and limestone Reflect strength of Egyptian civilization

What else did they do for their religion? Polytheistic – Re (Sun), Osiris (Death), Isis (Women) Mummification –Canopic jars – brains, liver, etc. Embalming –Salt and baking soda

What was their social structure? Royal Family Upper Class (Gov’t officials, priests, military) Middle Class (Merchants, artisans) Lower Class (Farmers, laborers) - Slaves Women had many rights

How did the Egyptians write? Hieroglyphics Papyrus

Did they have any scientific or mathematic advances? Calendar Numbers - Taxes Heart rate, splints

Why were there breaks in their rule? INVADERS Old Kingdom Ends 2180 Middle Kingdom Hyksos rule –From Palestine

Standards and Targets Standard #1 – Apply the skills of historical analysis and interpretation a.Evaluate the causes and effects of historical events Standard #4 – Understand world social history f. Assess social hierarchies and the conflicts created by class division Standard #5 – Understand world environmental history d. Analyze how technological and scientific developments have human productivity, human comfort and the environment