1. Ancient Egypt

2. The Nile River  “Egypt is the gift of the Nile” -Herodotus, 400 BC -Herodotus, 400 BC

3. Location  Egypt is located on the banks of the Nile River in NE Africa  Nile runs from SOUTH (East Africa) to NORTH (Egypt)  Water flows downhill! (mountains to plains). See History of Our World elevation map, p. 67

4. Location  The Nile is the world’s longest river, running through many regions.  Regions along the river & in Egypt’s delta are fertile  DELTA – a plain at the mouth of a river.

5. Location  Most of the regions are desert.  “Red Land” – blistering-hot land  Deserts protect area from invasion.

6. Successful Farming  How could the Egyptians farm when so much of their country was desert?  Floods from mountains drop SILT (fine soil) on land making it good for crops  “Black land” – dark, fertile soils

7. Government  Pharaoh is the title used by the kings of Egypt.

8. Government  A dynasty is a series of rulers from the same family or ethnic group.  Absolute power: complete control over the people one rules. Pharaohs made all the laws!

9. Government  Regent: someone who rules for a child until they are old enough to rule

10. Pharaohs  Mendes: king who united Upper & Lower Egypt

11. Hatshepsut  Started as a regent for her stepson, Thutmose III, but appointed herself Pharaoh.  One of the few female leaders of the ancient world.  There was peace & economic success during her rule.  Encouraged trade with faraway lands.

12. Thutmose III  Took over after death of Hatshepsut. (He may have played a role in her death).  He destroyed all her statues.  Thutmose III conquered new lands, was educated, and was merciful to those he defeated.

13. Cleopatra  NOT AN ANCIENT PHARAOH!  In 51 BC, Queen Cleopatra was the last to rule before Rome conquered Egypt.

14. Religion  Polytheism: believed in many gods Click on pic

15. Religion  Afterlife: the belief that life continues after the body is dead –Food, clothing and other possessions were left with the bodies for the afterlife Click on pic

16. Religion  Pyramid: a 4-sided triangular building which served as a giant tomb for the fallen pharaohs  Mummy: preserved body of a dead person Click on pic → Click on pic ↓

17. Culture Social Classes: groups of people who have similar backgrounds or jobs

18. Culture Ranking in order of importance: ↓Slaves Click on pic

19. Role of Women  Had most of the rights that men did  Could own property/run a business  Could even be a ruler (Hatshepsut)

20. Writing System  Hieroglyphs: picture-like symbols used to express ideas & concepts –Also used as a record keeping tool Click on pic

22. Writing System  Papyrus: an early form of paper in Egypt  Strips of the reed were crossed to form a sheet which was laid out to dry  Ink was used from berries & plants to write with

23. Scientific Contributions  Calendars: they also used the stars to predict when the floods were coming

24. Scientific Contributions  Mathematics: very good at manipulating numbers

25. Scientific Contributions  Medicine: because of mummification, they were very knowledgeable about the human body & were able to perform surgeries.  Also good with home remedies.