Ancient Egypt

The Gift of the Nile The Nile Valley, 3000-2000 BCE Gradual, predictable flooding Inundation (July-October) Sprouting Summer

Unification of Egypt Legendary conqueror Menes, c. 3100 unifies Egyptian kingdom Tradition: founder of Memphis, cultural and political center of ancient Egypt Instituted the rule of the Pharaoh Claimed descent from the gods Absolute rulers, had slaves buried with them from 2600 BCE Most powerful during Archaic Period (3100-2660 BCE) and Old Kingdom (2660-2160 BCE)

The Pyramids Symbols of the pharaoh’s authority and divine status A testimony of the pharaohs’ ability to marshal Egypt’s resources Largest Khufu (Cheops) 2.3 M limestone blocks avg weight 2.5 tons Role: burial chambers for Pharaohs Show construction of Temple here from Ancient Egypt VH 5431

The New Kingdom Imperial Egypt, 1400 BCE Few pyramids, but major monumental architectural projects Engaged in empire- building to protect against foreign invasion Invasions of Kushites, Assyrians destroy Egypt mid 6th century BCE

Hieroglyphs Writing appeared at least by 3200 BCE “Holy Inscriptions” Writing appeared at least by 3200 BCE Pictographic supplemented with symbols representing sounds and ideas Survives on monuments, buildings and sheets of papyrus

Mummification and the Afterlife It was inspired by the cycles of the Nile Belief in the revival of the dead First: ruling classes only, later expanded to include lower classes Cult of Osiris Lord of the underworld Power to determine who deserved immortality Held out hope of eternal reward for those who lived moral lives Show second clip from Ancient Egypt, Sphinx through mummification