1. Introduction
Chapter Introduction
This chapter will introduce you to Ancient Egypt and Nubia. You will learn all about the cultures of those two regions, as well as the way geography affected people’s lives.
Section 1: Egypt Under the Pharaohs
Section 2: Art, Architecture, and Learning in Egypt
Section 3: Egypt and Nubia

2. Taking Power With Style
myStory
Hatshepsut:
Taking Power With Style
Why didn’t the ancient Egyptian language
have a word for a female pharaoh?
Why does the text mention
Hatshepsut’s dead brothers?
Watch the myStory video and think about what you’ve learned about Hatshepsut and life in ancient Egypt.

3. Taking Power With Style
myStory
Hatshepsut:
Taking Power With Style
How did Hatshepsut convince people she could be a good ruler?
Successful Pharaoh
Have students choose two things Hatshepsut did to convince people she was the legitimate ruler. On a separate sheet of paper, have them write one sentence telling which action was more convincing and why.

4. Taking Power With Style
myStory
Hatshepsut:
Taking Power With Style
What is the main idea of this story?
Main Idea: ______________________
Detail
After they have read the myStory and watched the video, students should be able to identify the main idea and details of this chapter opener.

5. Taking Power With Style
myStory
Hatshepsut:
Taking Power With Style
What were some ways Hatshepsut
made Egypt richer?
Where was Hatshepsut’s tomb located?
Why was this important for her?

6. How much does geography
myStory
How much does geography
affect people’s lives?
Egypt’s Geography
How It Affected Ancient Egypt
Encourage students to think more about the effects of Egypt’s geography on life in ancient Egypt. For example, if they write Nile River in the left box, then they might write Made farming possible in the desert in the right box.

7. Water in the Desert How were rivers important in ancient
Egypt Under the Pharaohs
Water in the Desert
How were rivers important in ancient
Mesopotamian civilization?
How was the Nile River important
in ancient Egypt?
Have students review what they learned about civilizations in the Fertile Crescent. Guide them to point out how important the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers were. Then have students predict what they will learn about the importance of rivers in ancient Egypt. When you have finished reading the section, have students come back to their predictions to see which ones were accurate.

8. Academic Vocabulary environmental—adj., having to do with natural
Egypt Under the Pharaohs
Academic Vocabulary
environmental—adj., having to do with natural
surroundings
My friend is learning all about the outdoors in his environmental studies class.
devotion—n., a strong feeling of love, loyalty, or
commitment
Many animal mothers show a strong devotion to their young by protecting them ferociously.
Have students use the Academic Vocabulary or high-use words to review terms in the section. If students are unfamiliar with the terms, have them read the definitions and practice by using them in sentences.

9. Key Ideas Egypt’s unique geography helped shaped
Egypt Under the Pharaohs
Key Ideas
Egypt’s unique geography helped shaped
its civilization and farming methods.
Pharaohs belonging to dynasties ruled Egypt
and were seen as gods.

10. Egypt Under the Pharaohs
Key Ideas
Egyptians worshiped many gods.

11. Key Terms cataract—group of rocky rapids
Egypt Under the Pharaohs
Key Terms
cataract—group of rocky rapids
delta—a flat plain formed on a seabed where a river deposits material over many years
artisan—skilled worker who practices a handicraft
pharaoh—king of ancient Egypt
Students should use the Word Wise feature in this chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

12. Key Terms dynasty—a series of rulers from the same family
Egypt Under the Pharaohs
Key Terms
dynasty—a series of rulers from the
same family
bureaucracy—a system of
government officials who carry out
government rules and regulations
mummy—a body that has been preserved
so it will not decompose
Students should use the Word Wise feature in this chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

13. Egypt Under the Pharaohs
The Nile River Valley
At about 3,500 miles, the Nile River is the world’s longest river. Its sources are the Blue Nile and White Nile.
The Nile divides Egypt into Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt. Cataracts separate the two parts.
Egyptians called the fertile area along the river “the black land.” Floods renewed “the Black Land” for farming. Floods could also cause much destruction.
Egyptians called the deserts “the Red Land.”

14. Civilization Develops
Egypt Under the Pharaohs
Civilization Develops
How did technology aid Egypt’s food production?
How did increased food production
affect people’s livelihoods?
What are artisans?

15. Egypt Under the Pharaohs
The Kingdoms of Egypt
Egypt was first united in about 3000 B.C. The pharaoh then wore a double crown.
The Old Kingdom lasted several hundred years.
The Middle Kingdom lasted about 400 years and ended in civil war. The New Kingdom was the high point of Egyptian power and prosperity. It was destroyed by foreign invaders.
The Egyptian bureaucracy handled government business. It was a model for later governments.

16. Two Great Rulers How were the reigns of Hatshepsut and
Egypt Under the Pharaohs
Two Great Rulers
How were the reigns of Hatshepsut and
Ramses II different from each other?
Hatshepsut
Ramses II
Have students fill in the chart with ways in which the two rulers were different from each other. Discuss students’ charts as a class.

17. Egyptian Society How was Egyptian society structured?
Egypt Under the Pharaohs
Egyptian Society
How was Egyptian society structured?
What does it mean that the pharaoh is
“at the top of the pyramid”?
Which social group was at
the bottom of the social pyramid?
Refer students to this feature in Section 1 of the Student Edition.

18. Egyptian Religion Egypt Under the Pharaohs Some Egyptian Gods
Ask students to fill in a name of an Egyptian god in each column. Have them write a brief description of the god based on the information in the Student Edition.

19. Mummification What was the significance of
Egypt Under the Pharaohs
Mummification
What was the significance of
mummification for the ancient Egyptians?
How did the process of mummification advance the Egyptians’ knowledge of anatomy?
How did mummification advance the arts in ancient Egypt?
Direct students to the Mummies and Mummification feature in section 1. Remind them that “anatomy” in this context means the structure of the human body.

20. How much does geography affect people’s lives?
Egypt Under the Pharaohs
How much does geography affect people’s lives?
Egypt Under the Pharaohs
Nile
Valley
Cataracts of
the Nile
Strip of
fertile land
between
deserts
Civilization Develops
7,000 years ago, people grew grains left by Nile floods.
Settlements grew into cities.
Kingdoms of Egypt
Old, Middle and New Kingdoms
Egyptian government relied on a bureaucracy.
The graphic organizer above captures some of the main headings and ideas in Section 1. Have students prepare a similar graphic organizer for Sections 2 and 3 as you discuss them.

21. Architecture and the Pyramids
Art, Architecture, and Learning in Egypt
Architecture and the Pyramids
Egyptian Architecture
Have students fill in the word web with words and phrases that are related to architecture. Let them add circles as needed. Discuss students’ word webs as a class. Have students predict what types of architecture was important to the Egyptians.

22. Art, Architecture, and Learning in Egypt
Academic Vocabulary
survive—v., to continue to live, continue to exist Although the desert looks as if nothing could live, many animals have developed ways to survive there.
construct—v., to build or put together
Much planning is done before builders construct a new school building.
Have students use the Academic Vocabulary or high-use words to review terms in the section. If students are unfamiliar with the terms, have them read the definitions and practice by using them in sentences.

23. Key Ideas Egyptians developed one of the first systems
Art, Architecture, and Learning in Egypt
Key Ideas
Egyptians developed one of the first systems
of writing and some of the world’s earliest
literature.
Egyptians built impressive pyramids and
produced beautiful works of art.

24. Key Ideas Egyptians were accomplished mathematicians and scientists.
Art, Architecture, and Learning in Egypt
Key Ideas
Egyptians were accomplished
mathematicians and scientists.

25. Art, Architecture, and Learning in Egypt
Key Terms
hieroglyphic—drawing or symbol that stands for a word, idea, or sound
papyrus—a writing surface similar to paper which ancient Egyptians made from reeds that grew along the Nile
Students should use the Word Wise feature in this chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

26. Key Terms pyramid—structure with triangular sides
Art, Architecture, and Learning in Egypt
Key Terms
pyramid—structure with triangular sides
sculpture—statue or other free-standing piece
of art made of clay, stone, or other materials
anatomy—study of the structure of the body
and its organs
Students should use the Word Wise feature in this chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

27. Writing and Literature
Art, Architecture, and Learning in Egypt
Writing and Literature
What is a hieroglyphic?
How does keeping records make
a complex civilization possible?
Refer students to the feature on Egyptian Writing in their student editions for more on hieroglyphics.

28. Papyrus Egyptians invented a material called papyrus.
Art, Architecture, and Learning in Egypt
Papyrus
Egyptians invented a material called
papyrus.
What material that we use today is similar
to papyrus?
List two qualities of papyrus that made it
better than clay for keeping records.
Think about the advantages (easy to make and carry) and disadvantages (tears, burns, disintegrates easily) of a material such as papyrus for recordkeeping.

29. Architecture What figure stands near the pyramids at Giza?
Art, Architecture, and Learning in Egypt
Architecture
What figure stands near the pyramids at Giza?
Why do you think the Egyptian kings built large tombs?
Where did the pharaohs construct
their tombs after about 2200 B.C.?
What did Egyptians believe about
their spirits in the afterlife?
Encourage students to consider the role that tomb-building and the pyramids played in Egyptian religion.

30. Painting and Sculpture
Art, Architecture, and Learning in Egypt
Painting and Sculpture
We know about daily Egyptian life from paintings
in tombs.
The tombs were decorated so the person buried
there could use and experience the things shown
on the walls.
Statues were placed in tombs so that if a mummy
were destroyed, the person’s spirit could live
in the statue.
How did the pyramids and their decoration advance art in Egypt?

31. Egyptian Calendars What were the two Egyptian calendars based on?
Art, Architecture, and Learning in Egypt
Egyptian Calendars
What were the two Egyptian calendars based on?
What was the lunar calendar used for?
What was the solar calendar used for?
Refer students to the feature on the Egyptian calendar in their student editions. How does having a calendar change a society’s concept of time?

32. Mathematics How does the construction of the pyramids
Art, Architecture, and Learning in Egypt
Mathematics
How does the construction of the pyramids
prove the Egyptians were skilled at mathematics?
List three other facts from Section 2
that prove the Egyptians had a good knowledge
of mathematics.

33. Science and Technology
Art, Architecture, and Learning in Egypt
Science and Technology
The Egyptians had an advanced knowledge of
astronomy.
The Egyptians were masters of engineering.
The Egyptians invented glass, mortar, and
some cosmetics.
Egyptian irrigation systems were very
complex.
Encourage students to think about what makes a society complex or advanced. In what areas does a society show its complexity—the arts, practical areas, politics, or all of these?

34. Egyptian Medicine What is anatomy? How did Egyptian doctors gain such
Art, Architecture, and Learning in Egypt
Egyptian Medicine
What is anatomy?
How did Egyptian doctors gain such
a deep knowledge of the human body?
How did Egyptians use their knowledge of the human body?
Mummification is one aspect that almost all students will recognize as part of Egyptian civilization. Use this idea as a point of departure for exploring Egyptian religion, architecture, medicine, and arts, all of which were connected to the practice of mummification.

35. How did geography affect Egyptian art and learning?
Art, Architecture, and Learning in Egypt
How did geography affect Egyptian art and learning?
Geography’s Influence on Egyptian Art and Learning
Be sure that students understand the role of geography in ancient Egyptian civilization. They may want to add additional circles to this diagram as they discuss this question.

36. teachers interdependent?
Egypt and Nubia
How are students and
teachers interdependent?
Have students discuss ways that teachers and students depend on and work with one another. As a class, discuss ways teachers and students influence each other. Ask students to keep this discussion in mind as they read about Egypt and Nubia.

37. Egypt and Nubia
Academic Vocabulary
rely—v., to depend, trust My dog must rely on me for food each day.
generate—v., to produce, create
The sun generates enough energy to allow plants to grow.
Have students use the Academic Vocabulary or high-use words to review terms in the section. If students are unfamiliar with the terms, have them read the definitions and practice by using them in sentences.

38. Key Ideas Trade led to cultural diffusion between Egypt
Egypt and Nubia
Key Ideas
Trade led to cultural diffusion between Egypt
and neighboring lands.
Nubia had a close relationship with Egypt
and shared elements of its culture.

39. Key Ideas Nubia was also a unique African civilization
Egypt and Nubia
Key Ideas
Nubia was also a unique African civilization
with its own accomplishments.

40. Key Terms commerce—buying and selling of goods and services
Egypt and Nubia
Key Terms
commerce—buying and selling of goods and
services
ivory—hard white material made from elephant
tusks
interdependence—dependence by each country or group on the other
Students should use the Word Wise feature in this chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

41. Key Terms Meroitic script—one of the world’s first
Egypt and Nubia
Key Terms
Meroitic script—one of the world’s first
alphabets, invented in ancient Nubia
ebony—black wood from West Africa
Students should use the Word Wise feature in this chapter of their Student Journal to explore Key Terms.

42. Trade in Ancient Egypt Why did Egypt need to trade
Egypt and Nubia
Trade in Ancient Egypt
Why did Egypt need to trade
with other countries?
Which Middle Kingdom pharaoh
boosted trade with lands
on the Mediterranean coast?
Help students think about how the natural resources of Egypt and Nubia contributed to what they traded.

43. Trade in the Nile Valley
Egypt and Nubia
Trade in the Nile Valley
Nubia supplied Egypt with gold and elephant tusks.
Egypt supplied Nubia with grain, cloth, papyrus, glass, and jewelry.
This trade between the two nations created
interdependence.
Trade also brought closer contact and allowed the
two nations to influence each other. Nubians adopted elements of Egyptian culture including religion.

44. the geography of Nubia and Egypt.
Egypt and Nubia
The Land of Nubia
Compare and contrast
the geography of Nubia and Egypt.
Egypt’s Geography
Nubia’s Geography
Both
Tell students to list in the left circle geographic qualities that belong only to Egypt. In the right circle, they should list those belonging to Nubia. In the overlapping section, they should list qualities common to both nations.

45. The Land of Nubia Cataracts made travel in Nubia difficult.
Egypt and Nubia
The Land of Nubia
Cataracts made travel in Nubia difficult.
Nubia had less farming land than Egypt and traded for food.
Nubia had closer contact with African peoples south of the Sahara than Egypt.
Written records from Egypt and Nubia provide most of the information we have about Nubia.
Remind students that the existence of written papyrus records has been invaluable for historians and archaeologists who study ancient civilizations.

46. Neighbors and Enemies Following which pharaoh’s rule did
Egypt and Nubia
Neighbors and Enemies
Following which pharaoh’s rule did
the new Kingdom grow weak?
How did Piye conquer Egypt?
Why did Nubian control of Egypt
come to an end?
Remind students that where once Egypt and Nubia had been relatively congenial neighbors and trading partners, they reached a point where conquest and empire-building replaced amity. What motivated Egypt and Nubia to go to battle with each other?

47. The Fall of Nubia Egypt and Nubia End of Nubia
In the two boxes, have students write two causes for the end of Nubia. Allow them to work in pairs if they wish.

48. Nubian Civilization After Egypt destroyed Napata, the Nubians
Egypt and Nubia
Nubian Civilization
After Egypt destroyed Napata, the Nubians
moved the capital city south to Meroë. The city
was located near iron deposits for ironworking
and along trade routes, increasing Nubia’s
wealth.
Nubian pyramids were steeper than Egyptian
ones but served the same purpose.
Candaces were powerful female rulers in Nubia.
The Meroitic script was one of the world’s first
alphabets.

49. Nubia’s Links to Africa and the World
Egypt and Nubia
Nubia’s Links to Africa and the World
Where did Nubia’s ebony come from?
What effect did war with
the Roman empire have on Nubia?
According to the chapter text,
what was the main way Nubia was linked
to other countries?

50. How did geography affect Nubia?
Egypt and Nubia
How did geography affect Nubia?
Nubia’s Geography
How It Affected
Life in Nubia
Have students think about the cause and effect nature of geography and the role it played in Nubian history.