1. Intro to Egypt
CHW3M

2. Egypt Egypt coalesces into a cohesive kingdom around 3100 BCE
not long after establishment of Sumeria
Various dynasties ruled over Egypt for about 3000 years
Outside forces dominate Egypt towards the end
Nubians, Assyrians, Persians in late dynastic period
Greeks take over in 332 BCE, Romans in 48 BCE
In 642 CE Arabs take control

3. Geography Egyptian civilization is based along the Nile river
The “backbone” of Egypt
The ancient Egyptians thought of Egypt as being divided into two types of land: the 'black land' and the 'red land’

4. The Black Land A.K.A. Kemet The fertile land on the banks of the Nile
Used for growing crops
This was the only land in ancient Egypt that could be farmed because a layer of rich, black silt was deposited there every year after the Nile flooded

5. The Red Land A.K.A. Deshret
Barren desert that protected Egypt on two sides
These deserts separated ancient Egypt from neighbouring countries and invading armies
They also provided the ancient Egyptians with a source for precious metals and semi-precious stones
Also contained six oases (or wadis)

6. The Nile Not only important for agriculture (silt, irrigation)
Also a key transportation system between communities
Stable and predictable (moreso than Tigris or Euphrates)

7. Upper vs Lower Egypt Upper Egypt consists of the Nile river valley
6-20 km wide
Called ta-shema (land of the shema reed)
High cliffs and mountains on either side of river
River flows in a single stream all the way to Cairo

8. Upper vs Lower Egypt
Lower Egypt starts at Cairo, where the Nile separates into branches and flows out through the Nile river delta into the Mediterranean
Called ta-mehu (land of the papyrus plant)
Very fertile plain
Lots of waterfowl
Access to Mediterranean was important for trade