1. Chapter 3 Notes
Nile Civilizations

2. Chapter 3 Notes
Egyptian Civilization developed along the Nile , as did other civilizations south of Egypt
Egypt was one of the most stable and long-lasting civilizations of the ancient world

3. 3.1- Geography and Early Egypt
The Geography of Egypt
The Nile is the most important physical feature in Egypt
The Nile River is the longest in the world miles
The Nile flooded every year, were predictable, and left rich silt
The Nile help prevent invasion because it flowed through a series of cataracts (rocky currents)
The Sahara was on the opposite side of the Nile and its unlivable waste land discouraged invaders
Two Kingdoms
Farming villages consolidated into two kingdoms
Lower Egypt – north towards the delta of the Nile
Worshipped a cobra goddess
Upper Egypt – south
Worshipped a vulture goddess

4. 3.1- Geography and Early Egypt
Unification
Unification – the two kingdoms unified in 3100 BCE under the leadership of Menes who was from upper Egypt and may have conquered lower Egypt
Menes combined the cultures of the two kingdoms – their goddesses and symbols
Menes founded Egypt’s first dynasty
Historians organize Egyptian history by dynasties – 31 total

5. Knowledge Checkpoint How do historians organize Egyptian history?
How did the Nile floods differ from those in Mesopotamia?
How might the Egypt’s natural defenses- The Sahara and the Nile cataracts be viewed as a limitation.

6. 3.1- Old Kingdom The Pyramids
Beginning of the 3rd dynasty in 2650 BCE marked a period of stability for 500 years during which many institutions were created
Most famous symbols of ancient Egypt
The largest are located near Giza
Built as tombs for Egypt’s rulers who were buried in chambers deep inside with many earthly treasures
Pyramid design changed greatly over time – originally looked like steps, smooth side came later
Took a long time to plan and build – built from the inside out with limestone
Were built by peasants, not slaves

7. 3.1- Old Kingdom The Pharaohs
Egyptian government took shape during the Old Kingdom
King headed the government – became known as pharaoh (great house)
Pharaohs had absolute power, owned all the land, their word was law, acted as judges, lead the army
Pharaoh had great power because people believed they were gods in human form
Responsible for Egyptian prosperity and security, and ensuring the sun would rise, the Nile floods, and crops would grow
Because the pharaoh is believed to be a god, government and religion and intertwined – Theocracy – a state ruled by religious figures

8. 3.1- Old Kingdom Egyptian Bureaucracy
Egypt was too large for the pharaoh to rule alone
Bureaucracy established to delegate responsibilities
Government officials were powerful – most powerful was the vizier (VUH-zir) who advised the pharaoh and carried out commands
Hundreds of officials served under the advisor to ensure commands were implemented and made Egypt run smoothly

9. Knowledge Check Point Why were the Pyramids built?
How did the first pyramids differ from the ones we are familiar with today?
Why- other than the pay- do you think the peasants would have wanted to build the pyramid?

10. 3.1 Middle Kingdom The Middle Kingdom
Powerful local nobles asserted their power which rivaled the pharaohs power, which caused order and stability to decline
Old Kingdom government collapsed in 2100 BCE leading to economic problems, invasions, civil war, famine, disease, and chaos
Middle Kingdom begins in 2055 BCE with a new dynasty
New dynasty restored stability, order, and prosperity. Encouraged trade and increased defense
Trade routes were not always safe pharaohs sent armies to protect trade routes and built fortresses along the Nile
Middle Kingdom falls to Hyksos (HIK-sohs) invaders in 1650 BCE
Were people from Asia
They fell to the Hyksos because they had military advantages that the Egyptians did not, such as, horse-drawn chariots, armor, and bows.

11. Knowledge Check Point Who were the Hyksos?
Why would the Hyksos have had more advanced military technology than the Egyptians?

12. 3.1- New Kingdom Securing Egypt
Hyksos ruled Egypt for 100 years until nobles from Thebes drove them out of Egypt
The nobles became the new leaders of Egypt which begins the New Kingdom
The Hyksos invasion taught Egyptians that geographic barriers such as the desert and sea could not keep them secure and as a result they built a stronger and first permanent military
Decided to create an empire to make “buffer” zones to invading armies

13. 3.1- New Kingdom The Reign of Hatshepsut – 1500 BCE
One of the few women to rule Egypt
Took power when husband died, acted as regent until son could take throne
Declared herself Pharaoh
Took on more masculine qualities to be associated with male power – dress, title’s: son of the sun god, looks like a man in statues
Encouraged trade – and went on a huge trade expedition bringing back gold, mrryh, perfumes, wild animals, and apes.

14. 3.1- New Kingdom Monotheism in Egypt Ramses the Great
Akhenaten took power in 1350 BCE
He only worshiped one god, Aten the sun god, and banned the worship of any god but Aten
Following Akhenaten, Tutankhamon (Tut) restored worship back to traditional gods
Ramses the Great
During most of the New Kingdom Egypt continued to expand its empire
During the rule of Ramses the Egyptians and Hittites fought over territory – Ramses married a Hittite princess to form a truce
Built more temples and monuments than any other pharaoh

15. 3.1- New Kingdom Egypt’s Decline
The reign of Ramses marked the end of Egypt’s greatness
Invasions by foreign powers weakened the empire
By the Sea People
Egypt broke into smaller states as priests and noble attempted to seize power leading to more invasions
Egypt was ruled by foreign invaders for 700 years, taking power back once from the Persians, only to lose it to them again
The Persians did not hold Egypt for long, as it would fall to Greece under Alexander the Great
Greeks ruled Egypt for over 300 years before it fell to the greatest power of the ancient world- Rome

16. Knowledge Check Point
Who brought an end to Egypt’s history as an independent kingdom?
Why was Ramses II called Ramses the Great?

17. Assignment Turn to Focus on Themes on page 71.
Read Belief Systems and answer the 3 questions, we will discuss the answers shortly. (p. 71)
Answer Section 1 Assessment questions (1-5, all parts) and turn into Moodle