1. Egypt’s Old Kingdom 2600 B.C-2300 B.C.
Great Pyramid at Giza built c.2540 B.C.

2. Egyptians supported the absolute power of their pharaoh because they “believed the unity of the kingdom depended on a strong leader” and because they considered the pharaoh to be the son of the Sun God Re. The Egyptians considered the pharaoh to be a “god on earth who controlled Egypt’s welfare.”

3. Carried out religious rituals His word was law and he enforced laws
Duties of Pharaohs
Lived in palaces
Were all-powerful
Carried out religious rituals
Appointed officials to handle government matters like irrigation, tax collection, and planting crops
Were considered gods
His word was law and he enforced laws

4. Main Egyptian god was the sun god Re
Egyptian Religious Beliefs
Book of the Dead important Egyptian manuscript – collection of spells and prayers
Hapi was another major god who ruled the Nile River
Most important goddess was Isis who represented the royal wife and mother
Isis and her husband Osiris ruled over the dead
Main Egyptian god was the sun god Re
Believed gods controlled the forces of nature and human activities
Belief in many gods
Magic spells needed to gain life after death
Pharaoh needed body for afterlife
For centuries, believed only the elite had afterlife
Hopeful view of life after death

6. King Tut- “the golden king”

7. New Information Discovered King Tut Autopsy

10. Mummification "You Wouldn't Want To Be An Egyptian Mummy!“
Egyptian Mummies from the British Museum
Embalm Your Own Mummy - University of Chicago
Mummification Song - "Time of Your Life" by Green Day

12. Egypt's Old Kingdom Video Clip

13. Pyramids Pyramids Video Clip from Nova
Explore Pyramids via Nova Interactive