1. The Kingdoms of Egypt

2. The First Pharaoh -Menes, the king of Upper Egypt, sent his forces to Lower Egypt and overthrew the king -unified Upper and Lower Egypt -became the first pharaoh of Egypt -Menes also united Upper and Lower Egypt by concentrating on a new government -founded the capitol, Memphis

3. Ancient Egyptian Religion - worshiped many gods and goddesses -numbered nearly 2000 -Main gods were worshipped throughout all of Egypt but many minor gods had just a local following. -built massive temples to the gods -small shrines were also found in the homes -In difficult times Egyptian Gods were offered various gifts, which were accepted by the priests and priestesses who offered prayers on behalf of the donor. Horus Isis Ra Anubis

4. Mummification Facts -The Egyptians believed that preserving the body in death was important to keep their soul alive. -In the process of mummification the brain and the internal organs, except the heart, were removed. -The Ancient Egyptians believed that a physical body was essential for an eternal life for the deceased. -Without a physical body the soul had no place to dwell and became restless forever.

5. The Pyramids of Egypt -The Pyramids of Giza are the largest pyramids. -tombs of pharaohs -records painted or carved on stones and walls to explain the achievements of the pharaohs -filled with all the necessities that the spirit would need in the afterlife

6. Hieroglyphics -writing system developed before the unification of Egypt -800 picture-signs that stood for an object or the sound of a letter -scribes wrote in hieroglyphics -they prepared for many years -kept records on papyrus -Egyptians quit using this form of writing when conquered by the Greeks -meaning of hieroglyphics was lost for centuries until Jean Champollion figured out how to read them

7. -In the early days of ancient Egypt, a cartouche was attached to the coffins of kings and queens. As time went on, many people hired an artist to create a cartouche for their own coffins. -The ancient Egyptians believed that you had to have your name written down somewhere, so that you would not disappear when you died. By attaching a cartouche to their coffin, people made sure their name was written down at least in one place -At times amulets were given the form of a cartouche displaying the name of a king and placed in tombs. Cartouches were formerly only worn by Pharaohs. The oval surrounding their name was meant to protect them from evil spirits in life and after death. The cartouche has become a symbol representing good luck and protection from evil.