Download ANCIENT EGYPT (NILE RIVER VALLEY) Geography Today: Desert

ANCIENT EGYPT (NILE RIVER VALLEY)
Geography
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Today: Desert. 12,000 Yrs. Ago: Swampland
Dominant force: Nile River
4160 miles long, longest in world
Mostly smooth, steady-flowing
Ancient Egyptian civilization was built on a 750 mile stretch of the river, between the ‘great cataract’
and the Nile River delta.
Egyptians implemented ditches and canals to carry river water to nearby fields: AGRICULTURE
Nile River as a means of transportation: River flew south to north, yet winds blew from the
Mediterranean sea from north to south, so travel was possible both ways, meaning a faster trade link
which enabled the civilization to expand.
3000 B.C- People had been living in the Nile River valley for over 9,000 years. However, at this time
people in the valley had developed hieroglyphics( a form of writing). Hieroglyphics contained more
than 600 signs, pictures, or symbols.
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Papyrus: Plant found in Nile River valley. People would cut the plant stern into thin slices,
then moisten them together to make “papyrus”, from which “paper” originiated.
1798- Discovery of ROSETTA STONE
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French army invaded Egypt, officer discovered stone.
Written on stone was Greek, hieroglyphics, and demotic (Egyptian style of writing)
Prior to the establishment of Egyptian kingdoms, they were mining metals (copper, tin: bronze) farming,
and developing a form of writing. All indicative of civilization forming.
EGYPTIAN KINGDOMS
Egypt had evolved into two cultures, upper and lower Egypt. Upper Egypt lay south, lower Egypt at the
delta. 3200 B.C.E, Menes (upper Egypt King) united Egypt into 1 kingdom.
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Menes established dynasty, or family of rulers.
Menes’ dynasty improved Egyptian irrigation, trade, territory, and finance.
Line of dynastic rule in Egypt would become known as pharaoh
Pharaohs were absolute rulers; controlled g’vt, served as judges, generals, high priests
OLD KINGDOM
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Lasted from 2680-2180 B.C.E
Sphinx, pyramids constructed during the Old Kingdom
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Society split into 2 classes: Lower class- Peasants, farmers. Served in army, worked on
building of canals, roads, pyramids. Upper-class- Pharaoh, royal family, priests, scribes,
government officials.
Toward end of Old Kingdom, elitists gained power, pharaohs lost power. Result: 1st
intermediate period.
MIDDLE KINGDOM
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2050-1750 B.C.E
2050 New line of Pharaohs reunited Egypt
Known as the “Golden Age” for Egypt because of the great stability and prosperity
Hyksos (foreigners) arrived in Egypt from isthmus of Suez from Asia
Introduced new war tools such as chariot and compound bow
Debate amongst historians as to whether or not the Hyksos appeared and conquered Egypt.
Historians believe the nomadic Hyksos migrated to the Nile Delta in the 1700’s B.C.E. and
gained power following the collapse of the Middle Kingdom.
NEW KINGDOM
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1750-1050 B.C.E
Again, pharaohs rose to power; located in city of Thebes
Pharaohs created strong army due to the chariots from the Hyksos
Gained land along the eastern Mediterranean sea and extended south into Africa
An EMPIRE emerged: government in which individual or a single people rules over many
other peoples and territories.
Hatchepsut: first known female pharaoh. Reigned from 1503 to 1482 B.C.E.
Thutmose III (king tut) was stepson of Hatchepsut, brought Egypt to height of power
through conquest and trade until death in 1450 B.C.E
Amenhotep IV; Brought about attempts of social and religious change in Egypt.
Prior to Amenhotep, Egypt was Polytheistic- believing in 1 God. Amenhotep called for the
worship of only 1 God- Monotheism.
Amenhotep changed his name to Akhenaton, to honor the sun god Aton
Ramses II: ruled from 1279-1213 BCE
Ramses ordered construction of great Temples and monuments
Ramses seen as last great Pharaoh.
By 300’s B.C, Egypt had lost power.