Chapter 2 Section 1 The Nile Valley

The Nile River Egypt is located in Northeast Africa Receives little rainfall – The Nile River is main source of water The Nile River is the longest river in the world – Flows south to north – Starts as two rivers and then flows into one

A Sheltered Land Egypt has natural barriers that defend them from outside invaders – Cataracts: wild rapids cause by narrow cliffs – Delta: River branches out into a fan creating fertile soil – Deserts west and east of The Nile River The Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea allowed them to trade

The River People The floods of the Nile were gentle and dependable – Farm and live securely Egyptians planted wheat, barley, and flax – Developed irrigation system and geometry Papyrus: a reed plant that grew along the Nile River

Hieroglyphics The Egyptian writing system made up of hundreds of picture symbols Scribes learned to read and write hieroglyphics – Kept records for rulers, priests, and traders – Carved on stone walls, monuments, and papyrus

Surplus A surplus of farming allowed Egyptian people to focus on artisan work and trading – Cloth, pottery, statues, and made copper into weapons and tools – Picked up ideas from other cultures

The Rise of Government Advances in crafts and trade developed need for government Irrigation systems built and maintained Surplus food needed to be stored Village chiefs were the earliest rulers – Combined to make kingdoms – Egypt broke into two kingdoms, Upper and Lower Egypt

Egypt’s Ruling Families King Narmer of Upper Egypt conquered Lower Egypt, combining the two kingdoms 3100 BC – Memphis became the new capital – Egypt’s first dynasty, a line of rulers from the same family Overtime Egypt ruled by 31 dynasties – Time divided into 3 time periods Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, and New Kingdom

Early Egyptian Life Egyptian society was divided into 5 social groups – Pharaoh – Priests and Nobles Beautiful homes, servants, jewelry, and makeup – Traders, Artisans, Shopkeepers, and Scribes Middle Class, producers – Farmers and Herders Farmers made up the largest group of people – Unskilled Workers Lived in crowded cities

Family Life Father, or male figure headed the household Women stayed home and raised children Children learned from their parents and always played games Women’s rights – Own and pass on property – Buy and sell goods – Make wills – Get divorces