Download TODAY*s OBJECTIVES:

STANDARD
SSWH1 The student will
analyze the origins,
structures, and interactions
of complex societies in the
ancient Eastern
Mediterranean from 3500
BCE to 500 BCE.
ELEMENT
b. Describe the relationship of
religion and political authority in
Ancient Egypt.
PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.
GEOGRAPHY
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Settlements along Nile
surrounded by deserts
Protection and isolation
Narrow strip of fertile
land
Yearly flooding, but
predictable
Intricate network of
irrigation ditches
Worshiped as a god –
giver of life and
benevolent
Upper and Lower Egypt
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Lower Egypt = Delta
Where most of Egypt’s
history focused
Upper Egypt developed
later upstream
Nile provided reliable
transportation
to go north, drift with the
current toward the sea
to go south, sail catching
the Mediterranean breeze
PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.
EARLY DYNASTIC
PERIOD 2920-2575 BCE
• Unification of Upper and
Lower Egypt by Menes in
3,100 B.C.E.
• Foundation of the capital
Memphis.
• Early Step Pyramid is built
at Saqqara.
• Unlike Sumeria, no
independent city-states in
Egypt
• Creates first Egyptian
dynasty
Step pyramid at Saqqara
Pharaoh
[royal house] the ruler of Egypt
• were considered gods;
served both political
and religious roles
• Ruled under a
Theocracy
• Pharaoh’s thought to
rule after death
• All possessed the
eternal spirit of ka
• As Gods = full
responsibility for
Egypt’s well-being.
PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.
The pharaoh Akenaton and his wife-sister Nefertiti
worshiping the sun god, Ra.
OLD KINGDOM
2660-2180 BCE
• pyramids = tombs, place of
rule
• The Great Pyramids built at
Giza.
• Created a bureaucracy: an
administrative organization
with officials and regular
procedures
• Bureaucracies helped
Pharaohs.
• Vizier- most important
official and reported directly
to the Pharaoh.
PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.
The Great Pyramids at Giza.
MIDDLE KINGDOM
2180-1550 BCE
Central power collapses
Lower Egypt:
Invaded by Hyksos
Asiatic people who used
• horse drawn chariots
• bronze tools and
weapons
• Upper Egypt
• dominated by kings in
Thebes.
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NEW KINGDOM
1550-1070 BCE
• Theban King Ahmose = expelled
the Hyksos and reunites Egypt.
• Memphis now main residential
city.
• Ramses II (1290- 1224 BC) divides
power in Middle East with the
Hittites
• Qantir capital of Egypt.
• Tutankhamen restored the old
gods when Ramses died.
• Invasions of mysterious sea
peoples wreck havoc throughout
Mediterranean region.
PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.
RELIGION
• Polytheistic: Over 2,000 gods
• Ra, the sun god; Horus, sky god; Anubis, god of embalming;
Isis, mother goddess “giver of life” associated with Nile
• Belief in an afterlife. Pharaoh's often buried with servants,
food, and items they would need to rule.
• The dead were judged by Osiris, god of the dead.
• Mummification rituals for Pharaohs and extremely wealthy
PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.
Above: The pantheon of Egyptian gods*
Social Structure
Socially Mobile classes
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Women
treated respectfully.
Retained property and
inheritance rights when
married.
In charge of household
and education of their
children.
Some operated
businesses.
Upper class women could
become priestesses
4 queens became
Pharaohs.
• Men and women wore makeup Bulk of population =
• Kohl- dark lined eyes in artwork peasants who farmed the
• Both genders wore lipstick
land.
PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.
Merchants traded
up and down the
Nile as well as
w/other countries.
Egyptian Writing
• Pictographs developed into
hieroglyphics (priest
carvings/sacred writings”
• Written on Papyrus,
unfurled reed from the Nile,
dried into strips
• The Rosetta Stone was
discovered in 1799 A.D. and
was instrumental in
deciphering hieroglyphics
• Hieratic script was a simpler
version of hieroglyphics and
used for business and daily
life.
PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
• Geometry
• Base 10 numeric system
(decimal)
• engineers and architects,
first to use stone columns
• Calendar
• Amazing advancements in
medicine:
• Mummification
• splints, bandages,
• compresses for
fractures, wounds, and
disease.
PP Design of T. Loessin; Akins H.S.
STANDARD
SSWH1 The student will analyze the origins, structures,
and interactions of complex societies in the ancient
Eastern Mediterranean from 3500 BCE to 500 BCE.
ELEMENT
b. Describe the relationship of religion and political authority in
Ancient Egypt.
List five points that will help you explain this standard/element:
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