Egypt

Cities: “The Gift of the Nile” Cities formed around the Nile River Valley Yearly floods Silt = fine soil found in rivers Irrigation = supplying land with water from a river using network of canals Shaduf = bucket w/ a counterweight used to transfer water into irrigation ditches

Central Government: Pharaohs

Writing: Hieroglyphics Hieroglyphics = picture-like symbols that stand for ideas, things, or sounds. Papyrus = an early form of paper made from a reed found in the marshy areas of the Nile delta.

Social Classes: Egyptian Social Pyramid Pharaohs = absolute power Vizier = 2nd in command; “Alfred” of Egypt Priests = religious leaders Nobles = family connections; “Kardashians” of Egypt Scribes = writers for gov’t Peasants = farmers; majority of population; “sharecroppers” Slaves = lowest spot; can sell self into or buy out of slavery Pharaoh Vizier Priests Nobles Scribes Peasants Slaves

Job Specialization: Priests

Technology: The Great Pyramids of Giza Pyramids = a huge building with four sloping triangle-shaped sides; built as royal tombs

Organized Religion: Mummification