Egypt

Geography Red Sea, Sahara, Mediterranean surround Mountains and deserts provide protection Nile River ends with a delta, fertile lands because of deposits, predictable Cataracts make the river impossible to travel Valley of the Dead a set of many landmarks, opposite side of the area of the river they farm

Politics City-states Dynastic leadership-pharaohs, centralizes rule, had both political and religious power Old Kingdom-pyramid builders ( BCE) Middle Kingdom-golden age art ( BCE) New Kingdom-principalities want expansion, but led to divided rule ( BCE), conflicts and cults Late Period- Nile and Red Sea Channel, Nephritides first woman, Cleopatra

Economics Nile used trade and agriculture Gold, granite, precious stones mined Ostrich eggs, feathers, animal skins, ivory, ebony and slaves Trade is directly by the government

Religion Polytheistic Mummification to prepare the dead for the afterlife, Book of the Dead Gods control all natural events Amon Re, sun god, hundred of lesser gods Osiris (Nile) introduced civilization to Egypt (creation myth) Buried in pyramids, pharaoh godlike Priests key role

Society Rich mummified Pharaoh intermarry to keep royal blood pure Father head of household, women have some rights Poor people live in poverty, rich in brick houses, few were educated Head shaving and wore wigs, makeup, perfume, linen and wool, gold jewelry, men skirted

Hierarchy pharoah, high priest Artisans, merchants, rich elite, priests Lesser merchants, farmers Slaves Sports-wrestling, javelin, dancing, boating and hunting

Intellect Hieroglyphics BCE Papyrus for paper Imhotep first to use columns, MD, founder of Egyptian medicine, masters of human anatomy Most population knew basic math Astronomy, very accurate calendar 12 months, 30 days Rosetta stone allowed for translation of hieroglyphics

Arts Hieroglyphics for storytelling Sculpture, stone structures-pyramids, Sphynx, Paintings, domestic and historical life celebrated in art Jewelry, pottery, sarcophagus Little outside influence Tombs, monuments are what survive Middle Age is golden age for arts

Decline Major invasions weaken Egypt 343BCE Persians take over and end of pharaohs 332BCE Greek Army with Alexander the Great takes possession