1. Egyptian Civilization
Chapter 2 section 4

2. Chief Gods and Goddesses
Amon-Re – great lord of the gods
Pharaohs were believed to receive their right to rule from Amon-Re
Osiris – god of the Nile
Isis – promised the faithful they would have life after death

3. A Pharaoh Tries to Reshape Religion
Akhenaton- ordered priests to worship only Aton (a minor god) and to remove the names of other gods from their temples
radical
Was he effective?

4. Proving Oneself to Osiris
Each soul had to pass a test to win eternal life
To survive the journey in the underworld, Egyptians relied on the Book of the Dead
Contained spells, charms, and formulas for the dead to use in the afterlife

5. Preparing the Dead for the Afterlife
Egyptians believed the afterlife would be much like life on earth
People were buried with everything they would need
Mummification – preservation of dead bodies by embalming them and wrapping them in cloth
During the New Kingdom, pharaohs were buried in the Valley of the Kings
Tutankhamen (“King Tut”)

6. King Tut’s Tomb

7. Egyptians Organize Their Society
Pharaoh &
Royal Family
Govn’t Officials,
High Priests &
Priestesses
Merchants,
Scribes,
Artisans Peasants

8. Egyptians Organize Their Society
Most Egyptians were peasant farmers or slaves
In the off season they would serve the pharaoh
Temples, palaces, tombs
Women would raise children, collect water, & cook
Egyptians women had more power than other women in the ancient world

9. Keeping Written Records
Hieroglyphics – a system in which symbols or pictures represent objects, concepts, or sounds
Hieratic  demotic symbols – a cursive form of writing
Papyrus – a paper like
writing material

10. The Clues of the Rosetta Stone
1800s Jean Champollion deciphered the meanings of ancient hieroglyphics
Rosetta Stone – hieroglyphics, demotic script, and Greek

11. Furthering Science and Mathematics
Physicians performed surgery and believed in magic as well
Mapped constellations and movement of planets
Made a 12 month with 30 days calendar with 5 days added on the end
Developed geometry