1. Pyramids on the Nile Chapter 2 Section 2

2. The Geography of Egypt Egypt ’ s settlement ’ s arose along the Nile on a narrow strip of land made fertile by the river.

3. The Gift of the Nile Yearly Flooding … rich soil, etc. Flood, plant, harvest: repeat.

4. Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt Lower Egypt runs from the Mediterranean Sea (consisting of the marshy Nile delta region) to churning rapids, known as the First Cataract. Then began Upper Egypt.

5. Environmental Challenges Nile had regular flooding, but amount of flood was unpredictable … less rich soil, or villages could flood. Deserts provided natural barriers, but also isolation.

6. Movement of Goods and Ideas Caravans began to trade between upper and lower, then further. Even got some ideas from Mes. (such as cuneiform & cities)

7. Egypt Unites into a Kingdom Little is known about Egypt ’ s first 2 dynasties, but with the Third Dynasty, the period known as the Old Kingdom begins (2660-2180 BC)

8. Pharaohs Rule as Gods Kings were gods, called pharaohs. Became theocracy, type of govt in which the ruler is a divine figure. Pharaoh is responsible for sunrise, etc.

9. Builders of the Pyramids They believed that Pharaohs reigned even after death, this explains the elaborate tombs. The Kings of the Old Kingdom received pyramids.

10. Egyptian Culture Religion and Life Polytheistic … more than 2000 gods and goddesses. Believed in an afterlife, and would be judged for their deeds when they died. Preserved body by mummification- embalming and drying the corpse to prevent it from decaying.

11. Life in Egyptian Society Social class system similar to Mes. Egyptians were not locked into their social classes. Reading and writing was the key to the highest positions.

12. Egyptian Writing Developed hieroglyphics, pictures stand for sounds as well as ideas. They wrote on papyrus reeds that grew in the marsh.

13. Egyptian Science and Technology Lots of mathematical advances … geometry for farming and building. Developed calendar based on 365 days in between star sighting. Medicine … setting broken bones and some surgeries.

14. Chariot Riders Invade Egypt The Old Kingdom ended about 2180 BC, then came the Middle Kingdom and new prosperity that didn ’ t last. In 1640 BC, a group of Asian nomads swept into Egypt in horse-drawn chariots. These Hyksos ruled Egypt from 1640 to 1570 BC, known as the Second Intermediate Period.