Ancient Egypt

The Nile River  “Egypt is the gift of the Nile” -Herodotus, 400 BC -Herodotus, 400 BC

Location  Egypt is located on the banks of the Nile River in NE Africa  Nile runs from SOUTH (East Africa) to NORTH (Egypt)  Water flows downhill! (mountains to plains). See History of Our World elevation map, p. 67

Location  The Nile is the world’s longest river, running through many regions.  Regions along the river & in Egypt’s delta are fertile  DELTA – a plain at the mouth of a river.

Location  Most of the regions are desert.  “Red Land” – blistering-hot land  Deserts protect area from invasion.

Successful Farming  How could the Egyptians farm when so much of their country was desert?  Floods from mountains drop SILT (fine soil) on land making it good for crops  “Black land” – dark, fertile soils

Government  Pharaoh is the title used by the kings of Egypt.

Government  A dynasty is a series of rulers from the same family or ethnic group.  Absolute power: complete control over the people one rules. Pharaohs made all the laws!

Government  Regent: someone who rules for a child until they are old enough to rule

Pharaohs  Mendes: king who united Upper & Lower Egypt

Hatshepsut  Started as a regent for her stepson, Thutmose III, but appointed herself Pharaoh.  One of the few female leaders of the ancient world.  There was peace & economic success during her rule.  Encouraged trade with faraway lands.

Thutmose III  Took over after death of Hatshepsut. (He may have played a role in her death).  He destroyed all her statues.  Thutmose III conquered new lands, was educated, and was merciful to those he defeated.

Cleopatra  NOT AN ANCIENT PHARAOH!  In 51 BC, Queen Cleopatra was the last to rule before Rome conquered Egypt.

Religion  Polytheism: believed in many gods Click on pic

Religion  Afterlife: the belief that life continues after the body is dead –Food, clothing and other possessions were left with the bodies for the afterlife Click on pic

Religion  Pyramid: a 4-sided triangular building which served as a giant tomb for the fallen pharaohs  Mummy: preserved body of a dead person Click on pic → Click on pic ↓

Culture Social Classes: groups of people who have similar backgrounds or jobs

Culture Ranking in order of importance: ↓Slaves Click on pic

Role of Women  Had most of the rights that men did  Could own property/run a business  Could even be a ruler (Hatshepsut)

Writing System  Hieroglyphs: picture-like symbols used to express ideas & concepts –Also used as a record keeping tool Click on pic

Writing System  Papyrus: an early form of paper in Egypt  Strips of the reed were crossed to form a sheet which was laid out to dry  Ink was used from berries & plants to write with

Scientific Contributions  Calendars: they also used the stars to predict when the floods were coming

Scientific Contributions  Mathematics: very good at manipulating numbers

Scientific Contributions  Medicine: because of mummification, they were very knowledgeable about the human body & were able to perform surgeries.  Also good with home remedies.