Egyptian Civilization Global Connections

Impact of Geography Nile River Nile River –Details –Divides Egypt –Advantages  Transport  Flooding (soil) –Sept/Oct –More predictable Other geographic advantages Other geographic advantages –Barriers to invasion

Religion Two groups of gods (Sun and Land) Two groups of gods (Sun and Land) –Sun god took many forms (Anthropomorphic)  Atum (human form)  Re (Body human head of a falcon) –Osiris and Isis  Osiris : underworld –brought Civ. to Egypt –taught them agriculture  The Myth –Sig: Cycle of life, rebirth

History Begins when King Menes united the South and North around 3100 BC and formed the first dynasty Begins when King Menes united the South and North around 3100 BC and formed the first dynasty There are 3 distinct periods in Egyptian history There are 3 distinct periods in Egyptian history –The Old Kingdom –The Middle Kingdom –New Kingdom

The Old Kingdom ( BC) The Kings took the title Pharaoh The Kings took the title Pharaoh –Absolute and divine –Development of Bureaucracy  The Vizier –The Pyramids  Part of the burial rite for Pharaoh and his family and officials  Important to preserve the body and furnish the tomb with important items so the spiritual body (The Ka) could return  Mummification

Building the Pyramids The Great Pyramid at Giza (c. 2540) The Great Pyramid at Giza (c. 2540) –Built by King Khufu (13 acres and 481 ft. high) –The Sphinx –Symbolized the power of the Kings

The Middle Kingdom ( BC) Period marked by Expansion Period marked by Expansion –Conquest of Nubia –Armies and traders into new areas  Meso., Crete, Syria –The changing role of the King  More concern with helping the people with public works and welfare programs –This period ended with the invasion of the Hyksos from Western Asia

The New Kingdom ( BC) The Hyksos The Hyksos –Chariots and metal working allowed them to control Egypt for almost 100 years A new dynasty (wealth and militarism) A new dynasty (wealth and militarism) –Eventually the Egyptians adopted these techniques and were able to throw the Hyksos out of Egypt  Empire reached the East to the Euphrates river and West to Libya  Hatshepsut : First Woman to become Pharaoh

The Fall of the New Kingdom Akhenaton and Monotheism Akhenaton and Monotheism –Aton is the sole god –Eventually the gods were restored by Tutankhamen but the upheaval led to the decline of the Empire –Invasion led to the collapse of the New Kingdom in 1085 BC –Cleopatra VII attempted to restore Egyptian independence but failed

Writing and education First writing traced to 3000 BC First writing traced to 3000 BC Hieroglyphics: Picture writing was used by priests and a simpler hieratic script was developed for business and record keeping Hieroglyphics: Picture writing was used by priests and a simpler hieratic script was developed for business and record keeping –Stone and papyrus