1. The First Civilizations
Chapter 2 sec. 1
The First Civilizations

2. Ancient Nile Kingdoms
Many parts of the world contributed to the Nile Civilization
Hunting and Gathering 12,000 years ago/10,000 B.C.E.
Plants cultivated in the Nile
Barley
Wheat
Cotton

3. Nile Crops

4. Physical Setting Modern Egypt quite different from ancient Egypt
Today occasional green oasis but mostly desert
12,000 years ago/10,000 B.C.E. covered by swamp land
Hippos, crocs & many animals indigenous to Africa

5. Two Sections of the Nile
White Nile- Longest river in the world
Begins Lake Victoria
Ends Mediterranean Sea
Blue Nile-
Begins Lake Tana in Ethiopia

7. Nile Valley people stretched out for 750 miles

8. Herodotus
Greek historian who said “Egypt is the gift of the Nile”

9. Egyptian Horticulture
Farmers/workers
Planned work around food
Harvest crops before flood begins
Wait for water to soak the ground
Ground dries leaves fertile soil for next crop

10. Egyptian Technology
Sailing made it possible for Egyptians to travel upstream
Deposits of granite, sandstone, and limestone were used for building materials

11. Hieroglyphics Ancient Egyptian writing Rosetta Stone
Translation of Egyptian Hieroglyphics
Discovered by Napoleon Bonaparte’s French officer in 1798 A.D.
23 years later Jean Francois Champollion deciphered it

12. Two Kingdoms of Egypt Unite Into One
Monarchy- Kingdom headed by one ruler (Both Upper and Lower Egypt were Monarchies)
Menes, king of upper Egypt unites them(3200 B.C.)
Successors crush rebellions, gain new territories, regulate irrigation, and encouraged trade

13. Birth of the Pharaohs Pharaoh= Means “Great House”
-Led the government, served as judges, high priest, and generals of the armies
Absolute/Unlimited Power
-Still had a duty to protect and care for the people

14. Dynasty Menes Founded the first dynasty or family of rulers
2 ways to end dynasty/family rule
-family is driven from power
-When there is no family member left to inherit rule
Dynasties in Egypt lasted 2,500 years
From Menes to 300 B.C.

15. Three Kingdoms These are dates in time for Egyptians
Old Kingdom from 2650 to 2180 B.C
Middle Kingdom Started 2040 B.C
New Kingdom 1570 B.C. till 1100 B.C.

16. Old Kingdom
Contributed to many scientific and artistic developments. (Built the Largest Pyramids)

17. Middle Kingdom Started out under strong Rule.
Hyksos took control early
Hyksos= Asiatic group took over 1650 B.C.
-Hyksos overwhelmed the Egyptian army with horse drawn chariots.
- Ruled for over 100 years

18. New Kingdom Egyptian Pharaohs reclaim the throne
Good Pharaohs through Ramses II
Adopted horse drawn chariots from Hyksos people
-Extended Egyptian territory and creating an empire

19. Hatshepsut First woman ruler Reigned from 1503-1482 B.C.
Very successful ruler
Married Thutmose II (Half Brother)
Because thought of as gods Pharaohs usually married a sister or brother/ half sister or brother

20. Ramses II AKA Ramses the Great
Perhaps the most powerful Egyptian pharaoh
Brought Egypt to its peak
Conquered many regions & defended against many invading tribes (especially the Hittites)
Constructed many great monuments and temples
Reigned B.C.

21. Egyptian Quiz
What allowed the Egyptian people to grow two to three crops a year?
What continent is the Nile in?
Who was the first Egyptian Pharaoh to unite the upper and lower Egyptian kingdoms?
Name the first and very successful woman ruler of Egypt.
Name the Egyptian Pharaoh that was probably the last very successful ruler of Egypt.