1. Egypt’s Old Kingdom Chapter 2 Section 2

2. Myths Myths are stories people use to understand nature and their place in the world. Myths are stories people use to understand nature and their place in the world. Egyptian mythology was based on nature; the sun, stars, and moon; and the Nile River. Egyptian mythology was based on nature; the sun, stars, and moon; and the Nile River.

3. Egypt’s Religion Deities: Egyptians believed in many gods and goddesses Deities: Egyptians believed in many gods and goddesses These deities controlled every human activity and all natural forces. These deities controlled every human activity and all natural forces. Re: The major god, the sun god. Re: The major god, the sun god. Hapi: Ruled the Nile River. Hapi: Ruled the Nile River. Isis: Most important goddess. Isis: Most important goddess. Egyptians believed in life after death. Egyptians believed in life after death. The Book of the Dead: contained a collection of spells that Egyptians believed they needed to enter the afterlife. The Book of the Dead: contained a collection of spells that Egyptians believed they needed to enter the afterlife. For many centuries, Egyptians believed only pharaohs and a few elite people could have life after death. For many centuries, Egyptians believed only pharaohs and a few elite people could have life after death. Embalming: To protect the pharaoh’s body after death, developed this process. Embalming: To protect the pharaoh’s body after death, developed this process. The body’s organs were removed. The body’s organs were removed. Body treated with spices and oils and then wrapped with strips of linen. Body treated with spices and oils and then wrapped with strips of linen. Wrapped body called a mummy. Wrapped body called a mummy. Doctors used herbs & drugs to treat illnesses. Doctors used herbs & drugs to treat illnesses. Set broken bones and stitched cuts. Set broken bones and stitched cuts. 1st doctors to specialize in different areas of medicine. 1st doctors to specialize in different areas of medicine. Wrote world’s 1st medical book. Wrote world’s 1st medical book.

4. Discussion Question Why was it important for pharaohs to reach the afterlife? Why was it important for pharaohs to reach the afterlife? Egyptians believed pharaohs would continue to care for Egypt once they reached the afterlife. Egyptians believed pharaohs would continue to care for Egypt once they reached the afterlife.

5. The Pyramids Pyramids built to protect bodies of dead pharaohs. Pyramids built to protect bodies of dead pharaohs. Contained items they might need in afterlife. Contained items they might need in afterlife. Took thousands of people and years of labor to build. Took thousands of people and years of labor to build. Used astronomy and math to create pyramids. Used astronomy and math to create pyramids. To build: To build: 1st selected a site 1st selected a site Then searched for stone. Then searched for stone. Artisans cut stone into blocks, and other workers tied the stone to sleds and pulled them to the Nile. Artisans cut stone into blocks, and other workers tied the stone to sleds and pulled them to the Nile. At river, workers loaded the stones onto barges and floated them to the site. At river, workers loaded the stones onto barges and floated them to the site. There, blocks were unloaded and dragged or pushed up ramps. There, blocks were unloaded and dragged or pushed up ramps. While studying skies to create pyramids, Egyptians created the 365-day calendar. While studying skies to create pyramids, Egyptians created the 365-day calendar. This is the basis for our calendar today This is the basis for our calendar today Great Pyramid: largest one in Egypt; Great Pyramid: largest one in Egypt; Built for King Khufu Built for King Khufu Located near the city of Cairo in Giza. Located near the city of Cairo in Giza.

6. Discussion Question What math advances did the Egyptians make while working on the pyramids? What math advances did the Egyptians make while working on the pyramids? They invented the base-10 number systems and created fractions. They invented the base-10 number systems and created fractions.