Download Chapter 2.2: Pyramids on the Nile

Chapter 2.2: Pyramids on the
Nile
Mr. Schabo
Crestwood High School
World History
Geography of Egypt
• The Nile River
– Over 4100 Miles Long- the longest river in the
world!
–
– Yearly flooding brings silt from mountains of
Africa; settles on Nile River’s banks; becomes
fertile land.
–
Geography of Egypt (Continued)
• If floodwater was just a few feet low, silt and water from
crops was reduced. People starved (BOOOOOO!!!)
•
• Desert lands on both sides of Nile forced Egyptians on
small portion of land. Interaction with other societies was
reduced (BOOOOOO!!!!)
• However, deserts
Upper & Lower Egypt
• Societies existed along the Nile from the
Mediterranean Sea well into Africa’s interior.
•
• From Mediterranean Sea to the First Cataract, 2
regions develop: Upper and Lower Egypt.
• Upper Egypt: High elevation; from first cataract
to Nile Delta.
• Lower Egypt: Nile Delta – a delta is a section of
river that has branched many times or “fanned
out” into a rough triangle shape. A triangle was
the Greek letter “delta”, so that’s where the term
comes from.
•
http://www.virtual-egypt.com/newhtml/orientation/index.html
Egypt Unites Into a Kingdom
• 5000 B.C. –
• 3200 B.C. – Developed into Upper
& Lower Egypt. Each had its own
King.
• 3000 B.C. –
http://tracingthepast.com/index.php?p=1_1
6_Menes
• Narmer is credited with uniting
Egypt. He established his capital
city, Memphis, where Upper and
Lower Egypt met, creating the first
Egyptian dynasty (there would be
31 dynasties over 2600 years!).
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Egypt.LuxorTemple.06.jpg
Pharaohs Rule as Gods
• Pharaoh: Ruler in Egyptian society.
•
• They believed that the Pharaoh caused
the rising and setting of the sun,
flooding of the Nile, flourishing of
crops, etc. It was the Pharaoh’s duty to
promote truth, justice, and protect the
empire.
•
http://forum.rifftrax.com/index.php?topic=13
449.75
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://africanhistoryproject.com/North_Africa/images/culturepic.jpg&imgrefurl=http://africanhistoryproject.com/North_Africa/egypt.php&usg=__c2ztBImSF1h88yLdmAv7Cxbm_sI=&h=346&w=489&sz=134&hl=en&start=42&zoom
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The Pyramids
• Egyptians believed that the Pharaohs had a ka (eternal
life force) which allowed pharaohs to rule after their
death.
• Ka was like a living king in needs, wants, desires. What
did Pharaohs want in life?
•
• Pyramids not only reflected the importance of a Pharaoh,
but also the advancement of civilization.
http://www.guardians.net/egypt/pyramids/tour_the_pyramids.htm
Religion and Life
•
http://my.opera.com/I_ArtMan/blog/2008/05/06/healthnut-koolaid-and-tattoo
•
•
http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/bigelow/classroom/walker/egyp
t/4egyptwebrm3/egyptwebrmindex.htm
Polytheistic – Believed in over
2000 gods and goddesses and
built temples and statues to honor
them. Major gods and goddesses
were:
– Re/Ra – The sun god
– Osiris – The god of the dead
– Isis – The ideal mother and
wife
Believed in life after death.
Planned for death:
– Built tombs
– Practiced mummification
– Filled tomb with items to be used
in the afterlife.
http://www.allegyptiangods.com/gods/osiris/
http://library.thinkquest.org/J002158/mummies.
HTM
Egyptian Society
• Society formed a pyramid, with royals at the top,
Upper class below them, followed by the middle
class, and the lower class on the bottom.
•
•
• Slave labor was common in Egypt. Slaves were
usually obtained as prisoners of war.
http://www.windpowerninja.com/wind-power-government-industry-news/egypt-to-build-1000-mw-wind-power-plant-33781/
Writing
• Egyptian writing is called hieroglyphics (from
Greek, meaning “sacred carving”).
•
• Over time, hieroglyphs became associated with
sounds and a verbal language developed.
•
• Hieroglyphs deciphered by scholars using a key
called the Rosetta Stone, discovered in 1799.
http://www.idstyle.com/safari/egypt/
Science and Technology
• Calendar – Based on astronomical observations
• Mathematics:
– Developed a number system.
– Used Geometry to set property boundaries and
develop architectural principles that cannot be
duplicated today!
• Medicine:
– Check heart rate using “pulse points”
– Used splints to treat broken bones
– Developed Minor surgical procedures
http://www.susanlauer.com/egypt.
html