Download Pyramids on the Nile

Pyramids on the Nile
Chapter 2 Section 2
The Geography of
Egypt
Egypt’s settlement’s
arose along the Nile
on a narrow strip of
land made fertile by
the river.
The Gift of the Nile
Yearly Flooding…rich
soil, etc. Flood,
plant, harvest:
repeat.
Upper Egypt and
Lower Egypt
Lower Egypt runs from
the Mediterranean
Sea (consisting of
the marshy Nile
delta region) to
churning rapids,
known as the First
Cataract. Then
began Upper Egypt.
Environmental
Challenges
Nile had regular
flooding, but amount
of flood was
unpredictable…less
rich soil, or villages
could flood. Deserts
provided natural
barriers, but also
isolation.
Movement of Goods
and Ideas
Caravans began to
trade between upper
and lower, then
further. Even got
some ideas from
Mes. (such as
cuneiform & cities)
Egypt Unites into a
Kingdom
Little is known about
Egypt’s first 2
dynasties, but with
the Third Dynasty,
the period known as
the Old Kingdom
begins (2660-2180
BC)
Pharaohs Rule as
Gods
Kings were gods,
called pharaohs.
Became
theocracy, type of
govt in which the
ruler is a divine
figure. Pharaoh is
responsible for
sunrise, etc.
Builders of the Pyramids
They believed that
Pharaohs reigned
even after death, this
explains the elaborate
tombs. The Kings of
the Old Kingdom
received pyramids.
Egyptian Culture
Religion and Life
Polytheistic…more than
2000 gods and
goddesses. Believed in
an afterlife, and would
be judged for their
deeds when they died.
Preserved body by
mummificationembalming and drying
the corpse to prevent it
from decaying.
Life in Egyptian Society
Social class system
similar to Mes.
Egyptians were not
locked into their social
classes. Reading and
writing was the key to
the highest positions.
Egyptian Writing
Developed
hieroglyphics,
pictures stand for
sounds as well as
ideas. They wrote
on papyrus reeds
that grew in the
marsh.
Egyptian Science and
Technology
Lots of mathematical
advances…geometry
for farming and
building. Developed
calendar based on
365 days in between
star sighting.
Medicine…setting
broken bones and
some surgeries.
Chariot Riders Invade
Egypt
The Old Kingdom ended
about 2180 BC, then
came the Middle
Kingdom and new
prosperity that didn’t
last. In 1640 BC, a
group of Asian nomads
swept into Egypt in
horse-drawn chariots.
These Hyksos ruled
Egypt from 1640 to
1570 BC, known as the
Second Intermediate
Period.