1. Pyramids on the Nile

2. Egypt Unlike Sumerian culture – Egypt had one united Kingdom
No city states which created a stable environment for over 3000 years

3. Geography of Egypt
Nile River- 4,100 miles long- longest river in world
Settlements arose along the Nile
7000 B.C.
Land made fertile by flooding of river
Black Land (fertile) vs. Red Land (desert)

4. The Gift of the Nile
Rain and melting snow caused the Nile to flood (July)
When it receded it left silt (October)
Water highway- unified villages and promoted trade
Nile was a god to Egyptians
Gave life

6. Environmental Challenges
Egyptian farmers more fortunate than Sumerian
Nile was regular unlike Tigris and Euphrates
However, other risks:
Lower water level= less silt= less crops= starvation
Higher water level= destruction of houses, granaries and seeds planted
Deserts on sides= less farmable/livable land and less interaction w/ other people

7. Upper and Lower Egypt
Upper Egypt- river area in the south from First Cataract to point where river branches out
Elevation is higher
Cataract – churning rapids

8. Lower Egypt- to the north near the Mediterranean Sea.
Delta region- broad, marshy, triangular area of land formed by deposits of silt at the mouth of the river.

9. 3200 BC Villages of Egypt were under the rule of 2 separate kingdoms
~Lower and upper
Eventually they united – unsure who did it though?

10. Egypt Unites into a Kingdom
Conflicting evidence
King Scorpion or
King Narmer (more evidence)
King of Lower Egypt
Red crown
King of Upper Egypt
white crown
Narmer created a double crown
Symbolized a unified kingdom
Around 3000 B.C.

11. Narmer made his capital city Memphis

12. Pharaohs Rule as Gods In Egypt, kings were Gods Pharaohs
Center of religion, govt., and army –almost as powerful as the gods.
Caused the sun to rise, the Nile to flood
Theocracy
rule based on religious authority

13. Pyramids King ruled even after death
Ka- eternal life force
Reigned forever
Tombs in pyramids – needed a very important resting place
Pyramids represented strength of Egyptians
Economic strength, tech. means
Leadership and govt. organization

14. Pyramids at Giza – each block about 2 ½ tons – some 15
2 million blocks stacked made one pyramid

15. Egyptians polytheistic –
Re- the sun god
Osiris – god of the dead
Isis – the most important! Mother and wife god
2000 gods
Mummification – For Royal Egyptians

16. Society

17. Science and Technology
Calendar – came up with 365 ¼ days in a year
System of written numbers
Assess and collect taxes
Geometry
Architecture
Medicine
Pulse
Splints
surgery