Download Egypt (world)

EGYPT
The Passageway to Africa
Development of Egypt
• Geological advantage
• Egypt develops along the Nile river
• The Nile flows from South to North
making it possible to bring goods north
• Northern winds blow North to South so
if you put a sail up you can travel south
along the Nile
• Predictable flood patterns make it easy
grow food
Other Natural Advantages
• Climate allowed for a yearly harvest (no frost)
• Easy transportation along Nile allowed for facilitated trade
• Delta contains very rich soil which could be used all over for
planting
• Granite, limestone, and sandstone were plentiful
• Desert and Sea provides a natural protective barrier
• Isthmus of Suez provides a controllable gateway to the middle
east
Picto-graphic Timeline Assignment
• Individually students should read pages 22-25 and in their
notes write down historical events that took place from Egypt’s
origin to their demise.
• Each student will then construct their own timeline with at least
10 specific events labeled on the timeline. Each event must
have a written explanation that explains its significance as well
as a picture/icon that represents it. Timelines should be colored
• Timelines will be worth 20 points
• 10 events with pictures each worth 2 points= 20 pts.
• Some events to consider using: Menes rule, Old Kingdom, Middle
Kingdom, New Kingdom, Sphinx, Hyksos, Hatshepsut, Thutmose III,
Amenhotep IV, Ramses II etc
The Old Kingdom
• Egypt had developed from a tribe of Ethiopians
called the Nubians sometime around 6000BC
• Upper Egypt contained southern colonies along
the Nile while Lower Egypt was centered around
the Nile Delta in the North
• Around 3200 BC Menes, a king of Upper Egypt,
conquered the kingdom and developed a
dynasty
• The leaders of Egypt from the time of Menes
would be known as Pharaohs
• They held absolute power and were revered as Gods.
Written Language
• Around 3000 BC Egyptians from Menes line develop
Hieroglyphs as a primary form of writing
• Hieroglyphics contained about 600 signs and were carved
into stone initially but eventually put on Papyrus
• The introduction of written language greatly increased
technological advancement as well as the study of history
• Scribes that could learn how to read and write became
important members of society
Rosetta Stone
• Key to understanding
Egyptian hieroglyps
• Discovered in 1798 and
deciphered about 25 years
later
• Written in Egyptian demotic,
Greek, Hieroglyph
The Old Kingdom 2680-2180 BC
• Pharaohs of the Old Kingdom developed impressive irrigation systems from the
Nile to ensure a large harvest
• There were two classes of people
• Lower were slaves and farmers (most people)
• Upper class were royal family members, priests, scribes and specialized artisans
• Enslaved kingdoms worked the land and with extra workers Pharaohs began
using their slaves to construct great monuments
• Great Sphinx built by Khafre around 2500 BC to demonstrate their leaders power
Middle Kingdom 2050 BC-1780 BC
• Began strong but then fell apart as contention between
priests and pharaoh grew
• Hyksos invade around 1700’s BC and change Egypt
• They brought new technologies in warfare such as the composite
bow and the chariot
• Some claim that they could be the ancient Hebrews (Joseph of
Egypt)
• Manetho (a later Egyptian) claims they were horrible people who
enslaved and murdered women and children
• Can we trust him?
New Kingdom 1570-1080 BC
• A new Empire is created
• Hatshepsut:
• First female ruler of Egypt
• Improved trade in the empire to bring in new technologies
• Constructed the Obelisks (tower structures)
• Thutmose III:
• Destroyed images of his mom
• Conquered most of the territory around the Nile
• Improved trade
New Kingdom cont
• Amenhotep IV:
• Introduced monotheism under god Aton (the son)
• Moved the capital to Tel’amarna (not a good decision)
• Changed his name to Akhenaton
• Odd body shape and depictions on temples make some wonder if
he was . . . . An alien?!
• Ramses II (the great)
• Last good ruler of the new kingdom
• Established a peace treaty between Egypt and the Middle East
• Regained much of the old empire lost by Amenhotep to the Sea Peoples