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Ancient Egypt Early Egyptian Life • 8000 BCE – 1st human life in area • Quest for food brought early man to the Nile River valley • Hunters roamed until the river was found – Climate change caused northern Africa to become drier (desertification) • 7000 BCE – Start of agriculture in Nile River valley • Barley, wheat, and vegetables grown • 3000 BCE – Many small villages established – Area called Kemet • Fertile, black soil Geography of the Nile Region • River – Flows north – Originates in highlands of Central Africa – Ends in the Mediterranean Sea – Longest river in the world at 4,160 miles • Floods – Floods predictable – Added moisture to soil – Deposited silt, replenishing the soil with nutrients Influence of Geography on Civilization • Natural barriers provide obstacles to potential invaders – – – – – Mediterranean Sea in North Libyan Desert to West Nubian Desert to Southeast Red Sea to East 6 Cataracts in southern part of the Nile • Susceptible to invasion – Across Sinai Peninsula – Across North Sinai Desert Effects of Barriers • Limited invasions from many angles • Limited farming to a narrow region on either side of the river • Caused river villages to be crowded – As population grew, villages needed to expand – Forced Egyptians to develop irrigation systems to create more fertile land Benefits • The river served as a highway – United villages along the river – Travel was relatively easy – Currents carried boats downstream and sails were used to catch winds to return upstream • Additional benefits – River attracted wildlife and provided fish & animals for hunting and sport – Papyrus grew along river • Used to make paper Life in Ancient Egypt • Life centered around the Nile river • Yearly floods brought nutrients to the soil • The river was a main route of travel Social Pyramid of Egypt • Pharaoh • Upper Class – Royal Family, Government Officials, Army Officers, Priests, Landowners, and Doctors • Middle Class – Merchants, Manufacturers, and Artisans • Lower Class – Unskilled Laborers and Farmers • Slaves and Servants Egyptian Religion • Polytheism – About 2000 gods & goddesses – Amon-Ra – Osiris – Horis • Death and Funerals – Three souls “ka, ba, and akh” – Embalming – Burial Tombs Religion • Egyptians believed in life after death • Believed the good lived in happiness • Believed the dead needed to take the things they would need with them • Believed the earthly body is needed as a home for the soul • Preserved the bodies of the dead through mummification – Originally reserved for rulers and nobles The Old Kingdom • 2700-2200 BCE • Strong monarchs • Tasks delegated to many government officials The Middle Kingdom • 2050-1800 BCE • New capital Thebes in upper (southern Egypt) • Human/Environment interaction – 1600 BCE ruler becomes known as the Pharaoh • Early female ruler: Hatshepsut – Has a tomb built as part of a major building project – Suceeded by stepson, Thutmose III • Thutmose established Egypt as an empire, gains wealth • Through trade and conquest, Egyptians learn ideas and blend cultures (movement) New Kingdom • 1370 BCE Amenhotep rises to power – makes many unsettling changes – Makes Egyptians monotheistic • Aton the sun god – – – – Claims to be equal to Aton Weak ruler, lost part of empire Priests & soliders unhappy w/ changes Egypt returned to old ways after his death • 1200’s BCE rule of Ramses II – Long rule – Many children (52 sons, plus daughters…) – Had temples and tombs built Mummy of Ramses II Union of Two Crowns • Red Crown – Upper Egypt • White Crown – Lower Egypt • Menes – Overthrew the king of Lower Egypt – Wore a Double Crown • Unification – Joining of separate parts into one whole A System of Writing • Hieroglyphics – Used to keep record • Scribes – Record keepers – Original Accountants • Papyrus – Paper made from plants • Rosetta Stone – Transcribed Hieroglyphics, Greek, and Demotic Building the Pyramids • Built as tombs for the Pharaohs • Afterlife – Housed everything needed for the Paraoh • Khufu’s pyramid – Total number of blocks • 2,300,000 – One block’s average weight • 2.5 tons – Number of blocks added each day • 285 Scientific Accomplishments • Medical discoveries – Magic heavily used – Developed surgery – Greeks & Romans based much of their medical knowledge on that of the Egyptians Egypt’s Economy • Pharaoh was at the center of the economy • Based upon Agriculture • Pharaoh took taxes on the crops that were grown, and goods that were made • Goods were “bartered” or traded for other needed goods