1. Pyramids on the Nile Objectives:
Summarize the effect of geography on the development of Egyptian culture.
Explain how Egypt united into a kingdom.
Describe ancient Egyptian religion, social structure, and technology.
Explain the decline of the Old Kingdom.

2. The Geography of Egypt Egypt’s settlements arose along the Nile river
The river made the dry desert fertile for farming
Yearly flooding also contributed to rich soil
Provided ease of transportation
A tomb relief depicts workers plowing the fields, harvesting the crops, and threshing the grain under the direction of an overseer.

3. Environmental Challenges
Reduced flooding led to agricultural failure
Over flooding destroyed houses and granaries
The vast deserts on either side of the Nile acted as a barrier to other cultures
Implications?
Protected Egypt from outside invaders. Restricted access to other cultures.
Egypt is often referred to as the gift of the Nile. How does this picture illustrate that?

4. The Rule of Ancient Egypt
The region along the southern part of the Nile was known as Upper Egypt due to its elevation
Lower Egypt was the region along the northern portion of the Nile
For years, Egyptian villages lived under the rule of two separate kingdoms, Upper and Lower Egypt
Eventually the two kingdoms were united under King Narmer
Unification occurred around 3000 B.C.
Established the capitol at Memphis, where the two kingdoms met
Why?

5. Pharaohs Rule as Gods Pharaoh – King of Egypt Viewed as living gods
Established a theocracy
Theocracy – Type of government in which rule is based on religious authority
Egyptians believed that their king ruled even after death
Pyramid – Structure designed to serve as a tomb for deceased pharaohs
Egyptian wall painting of the gods Ra and Osiris.

6. Egyptian Culture Egyptians were polytheistic
Egyptians believed in the afterlife
Weighing of the soul
Royal and elite Egyptians would have their bodies preserved
Mummification – Embalming and drying of a corpse to prevent decaying
Anubis was the ancient Egyptian god associated with mummification and burial rituals; here, he attends to a mummy.
Tutankhamun coffinette and mummy.

7. Life in Egyptian Society
Egyptian Social Classes
Egyptian society formed a pyramid
Royalty at the top, peasants at the bottom
Social mobility
Women had many rights
Egyptian Writing
Hieroglyphics – Form of pictographic writing
Papyrus – Reeds used to make a paper like sheet
Egyptian Science and Technology
Calendar
Mathematics
Architecture
Medicine
Egyptian hieroglyphics.