1. Pyramids on the Nile I.The Geography of Egypt A. The gift of the Nile 1. floods brought water 2. Nile floods left rich deposits of fertile silt 3. irrigation ditches 4. worshiped the Nile as a God B. Environmental Challenges 1. Nile was very regular, predictable 2. lower than normal floodwaters, reduced fresh silt 3. higher than normal floodwaters, led to destruction 4. deserts secluded the Egyptians, little interaction

3. C. Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt 1. river travel was common 2. higher elevation was Upper Egypt 3. delta region, lower Egypt 4. water proved to be great travel route II.Egypt Unites into a Kingdom (King Narmer united Upper and Lower Egypt) (2660-2180 BC Old Kingdom) A. Pharaohs rule as Gods 1. pharaohs were god-kings 2. theocracy, government based on religious rule B. Builders of the pyramids 1. tombs more important than palaces (they believed kings ruled for all of eternity) 2. pyramids, resting place after death 3. Old Kingdom was great age of pyramid building 4. each stone weighed 2 ½ tons, some weighed 15 tons 5. 200 millions stones were perfectly stacked up to 481 feet

4. III.Egyptian Culture A. Religion and Life 1. polytheistic 2. Re (sun God), Osiris (God of the dead), Isis (God of mother and wife) 3. worshipped more than 2,000 gods 4. Anubis, God of the underworld 5. Devourer of souls 6. bodies were preserved by mummification IV.Life in Egyptian Society (social hierarchy) A. Egyptian Writing 1. hieroglyphics 2. papyrus B. Egyptian Science and Technology 1. calendar- farming, seasons, years and months 2. system of writing numbers- counting, math, collect taxes 3. medicine- feel pulses, splint broken bones, some surgery

5. V.Invaders Control Egypt A. Old Kingdom died after the decline of strength in pharaohs B. Middle Kingdom restored law and order, improved trade and transportation C. Hyksos from Palestine, ruled from 1630-1523 BC D. New Kingdom rose to power and glory