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Ancient Egypt
(Nile River Valley)
Notes
Egypt
A nation in northeast Africa, first settled around
3100 B.C.E.
Kush
A society along the Nile River, south of Egypt,
from 2000-350 B.C.E.
Nile River
The longest river in the world; flows from
Eastern Africa to a delta in northeastern Egypt
Old Kingdom (Age of the Pyramids)
• 2700-2200 B.C.E.
• Pharaohs set up a strong central government
• Great pyramids built as tombs for themselves
Middle Kingdom (Period of Reunification)
• 2000-1800 B.C.E.
• Follows years of chaos and disunity.
• Great achievements in literature, art, and
architecture.
New Kingdom (Egypt’s Golden Age)
• 1600-1100 B.C.E.
• Pharaohs increased trade and built huge monuments.
• Time of peace and stability
• Egyptians believed that Pharaohs were gods and after
death, would enter an afterlife that would never end.
They built tombs to last.
Egyptian Pharaohs
Pharaoh Khufu (The Pyramid Builder)
• Ruled in Old Kingdom and declared himself a god.
• Began construction on the Great Pyramid at Giza.
• Established the Pharaoh as the central authority. He
oversaw Egypt’s food supply, storage of grain, and
harvest.
Pharaoh Senusret I (Patron of the Arts)
• Ruled during Middle Kingdom.
• Art, literature, and religious architecture flourished
during his reign.
Pharaoh Hatshepsut (Promoter of Egyptian Trade)
• Ruled in New Kingdom
• First female Pharaoh (first shared power with male
relatives but took over as sole ruler)
• Kept loyal advisors, sometimes dressed in men’s
clothing and wore a fake beard.
• Known for encouraging trade, promoting art and
architecture.
Pharaoh Ramses II (Military Leader)
• Ruled during New Kingdom for over 60 years.
• Known as Ramses the Great
• Best known for fearless military leadership and
monument building (including famous temple
complex at Abu Simbel).
• Signed world’s first peace treaty with the Hittites.
• Had more than 100 wives and more than 100 children
Pharaoh Tutankhamen (Young King)
• Ruled during New Kingdom.
• Known as King Tut
• Began rule at age of 10 and died at 19, had advisors
to help him, married half-sister.
• Erected monuments in Thebes and Karnak, made
Thebes capital of Egypt.
• His tomb was discovered in 1922, and his mummy
still rests in the Valley of the Kings.
Sphinx
Mythical creature with the body of a lion and the
head of a man
hieroglyphics
Egyptian writing system that consisted of
symbols.
Papyrus
Paper-like material made from reeds.
Rosetta Stone
Stone slab with Egyptian hieroglyphics, Demotic
(Egyptian common language) and Greek writing.
It was carved in 196 B.C.E. and found in 1799 by
French soldiers.
Obelisk
Tall four-sided monument
with pyramid-like point on top.