1. Ancient Egypt

2. The Nile River MOST important physical feature
Longest river in the world
4,160 miles
Transportation
South to North flow
South blowing winds
Expected flooding patterns
Irrigation
Enriched soil

3. The Nile River
Delta – a plain at the mouth of a river. Looks like a fan.
Silt – fine soil found on river bottoms. *Nutrient rich*
Hapi – the Egyptian god of the Nile River
“Hail to you, Oh Nile, who flows from the Earth and comes to keep Egypt alive!” – ancient Egyptian prayer

4. The Nile River
1. Northern Flow 2. Green = Flooding 3. Winds south from Mediterranean

5. The Nile River Left deposits behind…. Granite Sandstone Limestone
WHAT ARE THESE?
WHY DO THESE MATTER?

6. The Nile River Hunting and fishing communities as early as 6000 B.C.
Settled farming communities around 5000 B.C.
Trade with Africa to the South
Sail upriver.
Cataracts – rapids
Caravans

7. First Peoples 12,000 B.C.E. or earlier 6,000 – 5,000 B.C.E. Nomads
Fishing
Farming
Tools

8. Over Centuries: Two Distinct Cultures Develop
Lower Egypt in the North
Upper Egypt in the South

9. Videos

10. 3200 BCE King Menes Unites Upper and Lower Egypt Starts Dynasty
Dynasty= a series of rulers from the same family or ethnic group
Overtime
Trade Improves
Land gains
Wealthier
“The Old Kingdom”

11. The Old Kingdom 2680-2180 BCE Rulers dubbed Pharaohs Two Social Groups
Means: Great House
Absolute/Unlimited Power
Govt. Leaders, judges, high priests, and generals
Two Social Groups
Lower Class: Peasants, farmers.
Owed service to Pharaoh
Upper Class: Pharaoh, Royal family, priests, scribes, govt. officials

12. The Old Kingdom Memphis – First “capitol” city. Lower Egypt
Mastaba – First tombs/pyramids. Flat top
The Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx built.

13. First Intermediate Period
BCE
Nobles gain strength
Weakened Pharaoh
Civil Wars between rivaling nobles
Severe Drought
Regional Provinces actually did better without Pharaoh
No tribute to Pharaoh, in control of resources
Two powerhouses emerge
Lower Egypt- Herakleopolis
Upper Egypt- Thebes

14. The Middle Kingdom 2050-1650 BCE New line of pharaohs regain power
Known as “Golden Age”
Stability and prosperity
Subtle change in social structure
Afterlife more inclusive
Canaanites from East move into the Delta region. Originally workers, seize control
1780 BCE
Pharaoh is weakened again
Nobles and priests gain power again

15. Second Intermediate Period
Hyksos (Canaanites)
Means “foreigners”
Technology
Chariots and compound bows
BCE: rule over much of Egypt
Ally with Nubians
Thebes left to stand alone

16. The New Kingdom 1570 – 1080 BCE Upper Egypt forces Hyksos out Pharaohs
Strengthen army: chariots and bows
Gain land
Eastern Mediterranean and Nubia in South
Diplomacy, first official peace treaty on record 1258
Create an Empire
Individual rule over all
Colossal Building Projects

17. Post Imperial Era 1080-300s BCE Few strong Pharaohs during New Kingdom
“Sea Peoples” attack
Weaken
Foreign empires
Assyrians, Nubians, and Persians attack
By 300s, Egypt is ruled by foreigners

18. Lower Egypt
Upper Egypt
Nubia
The Nile River

19. Cultural Achievements
80 Pyramids still stand today
Paintings decorated Pyramids
Hieroglyphics- Writing
Calendar – 365 day cycle!
Herbal Medicines – treat illness and preserve bodies after death
Mathematics – based on 10
Ship Building

20. Education Scribes Elite Learn to read and write Work for government
Taught others

21. Religion Early Egypt had local gods Often associated with an animal
Major gods
Amon:
Creator I
identified as the sun
Osiris:
Judged people after death

22. Economy Farming! Trade Wheat for food consumption
Flax: spun into Linen
Cotton for making cloth
Trade
Mediterranean
Red Sea