Download Ancient Egypt

Chapter 2, sections 1-4
ANCIENT EGYPT
SECTION 1, THE NILE VALLEY



The Nile River is the
longest river in the
world. Begins in the Rift
Valley and flows north to
the Mediterranean Sea.
4,160 miles long
The area around the
Nile Delta is known as
Lower Egypt.
•
Cataracts: rapids on the
Nile River which
provided natural
barriers against
invaders.
Why do you think the
rapids stopped
invaders? Weren’t there
other ways to travel?
 The
Sahara Desert
is the largest in
the world.


Nile River flooding is
dependable and gentle
enabling the Egyptians to
have productive farms and
live well.
B/c markers would wash
away, Egyptians began using
surveying methods to mark
boundaries of farms.

CONTRASTING RIVERS
In comparison, the Tigris and
Euphrates Rivers were
unpredictable.
Mesopotamians never knew
if the rivers would flood or
how much flooding would
occur.

Reed plant that grew
along the Nile was
papyrus. Egyptians used
papyrus for making
baskets, sandals & river
rafts. Later used it for
making paper.
Irrigation enabled the
Egyptians to grow
wheat, barley, and flax.
* flax was one of the first
crops domesticated by
man. Flax is thought to
have originated in the
Mediterranean region.
Linen cloth made from
flax was used to wrap
the mummies in the
early Egyptian tombs.



What were
hieroglyphics?
Egyptian writing system
using pictures and
symbols for ideas and
sounds.
A UNITED EGYPT


By 4000 B.C. Egypt was
made up of 2 kingdoms,
the Nile Delta was
Lower Egypt, to the
south was Upper Egypt.
Who united the
kingdoms in 3100 B.C.?
What did he wear to
indicate the union of the
2 kingdoms?
Narmer
When
family members
pass ruling power from
one generation to the
next is known as a
dynasty. What dynasties
can you think of today?
SECTION 2, EGYPT’S OLD KINGDOM
King Menkaure (also
 Pharaoh=Great
known as Mycerinus)
and his Queen
House
(probably Kha-merernebty II). From Giza,
 All powerful ruler
Menkaure Temple;
Dynasty 4, 2548-2530
whose authority
B.C.;
was not
Death Mask of
questioned
Tutankhamun. The death
mask of Egyptian pharaoh
Tutankhamun is made of
 Was considered
gold inlaid with colored
glass and semiprecious
the son of Re,
stone.
their sun god.

Egyptians believed in
many gods, which
means they were…?
Main god was Re,
or their sun god,
another important
god was Hapi, who
ruled the Nile
River. Isis and
Osiris ruled the
underworld.
Re
Osiris &
Isis
EGYPT’S RELIGION


Ancient Egyptians
believed after a long
journey a dead person
would reach a place of
peace and plenty.
The Book of the Dead
was a collection of
spells and prayers
Egyptians would
memorize in order to
gain entrance to the
afterlife.
THE PYRAMIDS
Each pyramid sits on a square base, with the
entrance always facing north.
 Egyptians used astronomy to determine true
north, also developed 365 day calendar
grouped into 3 seasons.
 Farmers, surveyors, engineers, carpenters, and
stone cutters were all used to build pyramids
for the pharaoh.

THE GREAT PYRAMID
Largest pyramid built was for King Khufu, one
of three in Giza. It is 500 feet high and covers
the area of 9 football fields, contains 2 million
stone blocks each weighing 2.5 tons.
 The Great Pyramid was the tallest structure in
the world for more than 4,000 years.
 Built w/o the use of animals, special tools or
wheels.

The Sphinx
Pyramids at Giza
SECTION 3, THE EGYPTIAN EMPIRE
The Middle Kindom-2050 B.C. - 1670 B.C.
 Egypt took control of new lands, Nubia to the
south and attacked what is now Syria.
Conquered peoples sent tribute, or forced
payments to Egypt enriching their kingdom.
Known as a golden age of prosperity,
achievement and stability in Egypt.

HYKSOS
By the end of the Middle Kingdom, Hyksos,
mighty warriors from western Asia attacked
Egypt with weapons made of bronze and iron
while Egyptians fought with copper and stone
weapons.
 Hyksos, ruled Egypt for about 150 years until
Egyptian prince, Ahmose led an uprising that
drove the Hyksos out of Egypt.

THE NEW KINGDOM
Ahmose’s reign begins the New Kingdom from
1550- B.C. to 1080 B.C. when Egypt reached
the height of its power.
 1480 B.C. Queen Hatshepsut concentrated on
building the economy by increasing trade
agreements.

www.crystalinks.com/hatshepsut607a.jpg
THE RED CHAPEL WAS BUILT BETWEEN 1498
AND 1483 BC, FOUND IN 1999.
SECTION 4 CIVILIZATION OF KUSH
Historians believe cattle herders migrated
south of Egypt around 2000 B.C.into an area
known as Nubia or Kush. Located close to the
3rd cataract on the Nile R.
 Cattle grazed on the grassy savannas.
 Also farmed but were most known for their
warrior skills.
 More powerful Nubian villages took control over
weaker ones and organized the kingdom of
Kerma.

Resources Egyptians sought from Kerma were:
gold, ivory, cattle, enslaved and soldiers.
 B/c of close proximity and desire for Kerma’s
resources, Egypt is often clashing with them.
 1400’s B.C. Egypt takes control of Kerma for
700 years. During this time, many Egyptian
ways are adopted. Does it stand to reason they
would have already adopted many of their ways
due to oppression?

Napata, capital of Kush, was located on a
major trade route.
 Location, location, location
 728 B.C. Kush takes Egypt
 600’s Assyrians invade Egypt
 Iron weapons and tools are introduced to Kush
 Capital city moved to Meroe were iron deposits
are found. New wealth is reflected in their
buildings and housing.

THE END!