Egypt Land of the Pharaohs

Geography of ancient Egypt Located in northern Africa Nile River Source: Lake Victoria Longest river in the world Only river to flow south to north Begins in central Africa where the Blue and White Nile begin

Nile River con’t The river flows for 4,145 miles The Nile is the lifeblood of Egypt The river flows for 4,145 miles Empties into the Med Sea Mostly navigable Except for 6 rapids/waterfalls or cataracts

Nile Delta Triangular shaped piece of land at the mouth of the river that is the most fertile area of Egypt Provides 10,000 miles of rich farmland

Nile River Valley Long, narrow strip of fertile land usually from 1 mile to 12 miles wide until it reaches the lower portion of the Nile Delta Land is made fertile by deposits of silt, sand and small stones during the yearly flooding Egyptians called their land “Kemet” (the Black Land)‏

Sahara Desert Largest desert in the world About 4 inches of rainfall each year The deserts are referred to as the “red land” because of burning heat Provided protection Other natural barriers: Cataracts in the south and delta marshes in the north

Upper and Lower Egypt Upper Egypt Lower Egypt Fertile lands to the south Lower Egypt Fertile lands to the north Ancient Egypt ran all the way into Nubia. It was much larger than modern Egypt

Egypt: “The Gift of the Nile”

Provided natural resources Provided water Fertilized soil Provided protection Provided natural resources Sandstone, limestone, papyrus, gold & flax Provided transportation Along with the Med Seaand Red Sea

Regular Flooding Egyptians relied on the yearly flooding of the Nile—called the inundation Happens between July and October Leaves behind dark fertile mud Egyptians called the land Kemet: “The Black Land” Flooding more reliable than that of T and E Rivers The inundation would replenish the soil allowing farmers to plant crops to feed the people Developed irrigation to create thousands of more miles of farmland Often called the Breadbasket of the ancient world because of the surplus of food

How did the Egyptians use the Nile? Planted barley, wheat and flax seed Success depending on the use of irrigation -basins, canals and dikes -Shadouf: bucket attached to a long pole to lift water from the basins -Developed geometry to survey the land and mark off fields -Papyrus was harvested to make baskets, sandals, rafts and eventually paper

Irrigation Created streams,canals and storage pools

What were hieroglyphics? Comes from the greek hieros=sacred glyphe=carving More than 100's signs, symbols or pictures to indicate words or sounds Records were kept by scribes for priests, rulers and traders Written on stone or papyrus Typically used for religious purposes

Rosetta Stone -stone discovered by Napoleon’s troops in 1798 AD -contained 3 languages (greek, hieroglyphics and demotic)‏ -deciphered by Jean Francois Champollion

The Rise of Government The rise in farming, crafts and trade resulted in need for government -as did maintaining of irrigation systems, surplus goods and land disputes -Egypt was first ruled by village chiefs -The unification of Egypt led to a development of a monarchy

Unification of Upper and Lower Egypt Developed first dynasty: family of rulers Menes (Narmer) the king of Upper Egypt defeated the King of Lower Egypt @ 3,200 B.C. The crown of the pharaoh shows the unification Crown of a united Egypt Red Crown White Crown

Egypt would be ruled by 31 dynasties Pharaoh Means “great house” Egypt would be ruled by 31 dynasties last 2800 years.

Crook and Flail Crook: emblem of royalty. Tool of a shepherd: Represents pharaoh leading his people Flail: emblem of royalty. Tool used to keep insects away. Represents pharaoh protecting his people

Pharaoh Was thought of as a god Believed to have power over the Nile Had total power over the welfare of the people, conditions of the land and the laws Farmers had to pay taxes to rent the land 3/5 of crops given to pharaoh % of livestock Donation of months of work to pharaoh’s projects

Egypt's Social Classes Pharaoh Priest and nobles Traders, artisans, shopkeepers and scribes Farmers and herders Unskilled workers

Social Pyramid explained Slaves Largest class, worked for pharaoh, priests, merchants and wealthy nobles Farmers Farmed land that pharaoh provided. Largest section of Egyptian society Artisans Middle class, worked in sculpture, copper, bronze, stone, wood, and gold. Also produced linen cloth Scribes Attended special schools, learned literature and history of Egypt, math, bookkeeping, mechanics, surveying & law

Family Life -Father was the head of the household - Egyptian women did have rights -could own and pass on property, buy and sell goods, make wills and obtain divorces - Few children went to school -girls were taught at home to sew, cook and run household -boys learned farming or a skilled trade