2. The Kingdom of the Nile
Egypt, like Mesopotamia, was a river valley civilization
The Nile River was of central importance to the development of Egyptian civilization
Egypt was blessed by natural barriers. It was isolated therefore it was protected by invaders
The Kingdom of ancient Egypt survived for the next 3,000 years
Farming by the Nile

3. The Old, Middle, New Kingdom
Manetho, Egyptian priest & historian
Around 3100 B.C., the first Egyptian royal dynasty, under a king named Menes, united Upper & Lower Egypt into one kingdom
The Old Kingdom (2686 to 2125 B.C.)
The Middle Kingdom (2055 to 1650 B.C.)
The New Kingdom (c.1550 to 1070 B.C.)

4. The union of Upper and Lower Egypt – Palette of Narmer

5. Society in Ancient Egypt
Society was organized in hierarchical lines with the god-king at the top
Upper Class = nobles & priests
Below the upper classes were merchants & artisans
Lower Classes = serfs or common people who were bound to the land
Egyptian men and women roles in society

6. The Pyramids
Considered one of the greatest achievements of Egyptian civilization
A City of the Dead
A large pyramid for the king’s burial, smaller pyramids for his family, and mastabas for the pharaoh’s noble officials
The Great Pyramid is considered the largest. It was built under King Khufu
An Egyptian pyramid was an important symbol of royal power

7. The Great Pyramid
The Great Pyramid of Khufu, next to him are his sons Khafre and Menkaure’s pyramids

8. Mastabas

10. Abu Simbel Temple dedicated to Rameses II

11. Queen Hatshepsut Temple

12. The Great Sphinx

13. Luxor Temple & Obelisk
Most Egyptian temples that have survived date from the New Kingdom
Oriented on an east-west axis, the temple received the sun’s morning rays
Obelisks – commemorative stone pillars
Commoners were forbidden to enter temples
Temples were sanctuaries in which priests performed daily rituals of cosmic renewal on behalf of the pharaoh and the people

14. Egyptian Art & Sculpture
Commissioned by kings or nobles for use in temples and tombs
Statues were monuments to a pharaoh’s power & achievements
Jewelry displayed the wearer’s wealth & taste
Art depicted Egyptians as they would like to be seen, alive or after death
Egyptian art depicted the differences in power and influence between women and men

15. Bracelets from the tomb of King Djer c. 2900 BC

16. Pectorals of Princess Mereret from her tomb at Dahshur c.1820 BC

17. Prince Rahotep and his wife Nofret from their tomb at Maidum c. 2550 BC

18. Pharaoh Mycerinus and his queen
Old Kingdom sculpture
Pharaoh Mycerinus and his queen

19. Fishing boats, model from the tomb of chancellor Meketre at Deir el-Bahri c. 1990 BC

20. Armchair of Queen Hetepheres from a cache at Giza c. 2530 BC

21. Nefertiti from El-Amarna c.1340 BC

22. Tutankhamun’s gold mask (1327 BC)

23. The goddess Selket, from the tomb of King Tut (1327 BC)

24. Funerary scenes in the tomb of the priest of the god Amun c.1380 BC

25. Akhenaten, Nefertiti & 2 daughters offering to the Aten c.1345 BC

26. Hippopotamus hunt, in the tomb of Ty at Saqqara c. 2400 BC