1. Chap. 2-2 Old Kingdom- Egypt
Goals:
1. Explain how the river and surrounding geography affected Ancient Egypt.
2. Describe the role of the Pharaoh.
3. Identify and explain the impact of religion in Egyptian society.
4. List and describe 2 examples of Egyptian technology.

2. Flooding occurred July-October, very predictable and regular
Geography of Egypt
Nile river flows NORTH over 4100 miles – longest river in the world
Flooding occurred July-October, very predictable and regular

3. Environmental Challenges
Floods – Knew when, not how much
too low = not enough silt, smaller fields for crops
too high= possible flooding of homes and food storage
Desert on both sides of Nile limited the Egyptians to a narrow strip of useable land
But large desert =natural barrier to discourage invaders

4. Upper and Lower Egypt
Upper Egypt = Southern Egypt (upriver = source)
Lower Egypt = Northern Egypt (downriver = mouth)
Lower Egypt was the delta area (marshy area where a river fans out as it flows into sea leaving mud deposits)
Boats heading north went with current
Boats heading south used sails and prevailing winds
Ease of travel kept the Egyptians in Contact and helped to unify the people

5. Unified Egypt
Villages appeared c B.C. – each had own gods, chief and rituals By 3000 B.C. there was a lower and upper kingdom The kingdoms are believed to have been unified under Narmer – The first king with a dynasty He was shown with the double crown of Egypt His dynasty lasted 31 generations until 2600 B. C.

6. Pharaohs
-Kings of ancient Egypt, considered gods on earth Theocracy- gov’t based on religious authority Pharaohs were religious and political leaders They were believed to be in control of the floods, sun and crops

7. Pyramids of Egypt
Pyramids were built between B.C. during the Old Kingdom Kings “reigned” even after death through their ka, or “life-force” Built out of limestone blocks cut from a nearby quarry Blocks = 2 ½ tons – 15 tons 2 million blocks+ stacked 481 feet high over 13 acres Organization required to conduct lg scale construction =strong leadership/ organized gov’t in charge

8. Saqqara Egyptian Culture
Religion – polytheistic, more than 200 gods & goddesses
-huge, elaborate temples/tombs
-believed in an afterlife, deeds and actions were judged when dead- eternal life possible good enough
Art- most often in tombs/temples
Shallow relief/paintings on walls, statuary for deceased’s afterlife needs
Formalized, stiff posture, familiar profile heads with frontal body, layered multiples
Saqqara

9. Egyptian Burials
All classes had burials, but only the rich and powerful had tombs Royalty and elite were mummified Mummies were placed inside coffins (sarcophogus) and then placed in tombs filled with things they might need in afterlife – food, cosmetics,jewelry, clothing, hunting gear etc.

10. Egyptian Society Social Classes- Royalty - Top
Upper class – high ranking military and gov’t officials
wealthy landowners
Middle class-merchants and artisans
Lower class – peasant farmers and laborers
Slaves – grew in numbers over time, foreign captives
Not locked into one class – could move up with marriage or success, ability to read and write opened doors too
Women could own property, propose and get divorced
if divorce = 1/3 property

11. Egyptian Writing
Early Egyptian writing = pictographs, picture =object Changed into hieroglyphs over time(“sacred writing” symbols = objects and/or sounds) Egyptians developed papyrus

12. Technology and Science
Calendars based on the stars – 365 days – solar year 12 mos. of 30 days each, w/ 5 holidays - accurate within 5 hours Written #’s for counting, adding, subtracting Early form of geometry used for surveying and architecture Medicine-knew where and how to check for pulse, set broken bones and even did some surgery

13. End of Old Kingdom
Old Kingdom ended c B.C. due to weak pharaohs who lost control Short Middle Kingdom Egypt under foreign rule till c B.C. New Kingdom began c B.C.