Transcript Egypt - Cobb Learning

Egypt
Geography
• Nile River – 4,100 miles long, flows
northward from eastern central Africa
• The Nile is the longest river in the
world!
• Every year in July the river flooded
REGULARLY leaving behind rich
soil.
Geography Continued
• Forbidding Deserts on either side of the
Nile = Natural barriers
• Ancient Greek historian Herodotus called
Egypt “the gift of the Nile.”
Environmental Challenges
• If the Nile flood was just a few feet lower
than normal, the amount of silt and water
for crops was greatly reduced. (Many
people starved.)
• If the Nile flood was higher that usual, it
destroyed houses, granaries, and seeds
for the new crop.
• The vast deserts on either side of the Nile
acted as natural barriers protected Egypt
from invaders and limited contact with
other peoples.
• Ancient Egyptians lived along the Nile
from its delta well into the interior of Africa.
• River travel was common, but could only
travel as far south as the first cataract
(area of churning rapids in the river)
Transportation on the Nile
• The Nile provided a reliable system of
transportation between upper and lower
Egypt. The Nile flows north, so
northbound boats simply drifted with the
current. The prevailing winds in Egypt
flow from north to south. Boats wishing to
sail south would hoist their sails and allow
the wind to power them up the river.
Upper and Lower Egypt
• Egypt contained two very different
regions: Upper Egypt and Lower
Egypt.
• Because its elevation is higher,
the area in the south is referred to
as Upper Egypt. The fertile land
is only a narrow strip very near
the Nile.
• The area closer to the mouth of
the Nile is lower and marshier.
The Nile river fans out into a delta
and the area of fertile becomes
much wider.
Lower Egypt
Upper Egypt
Egypt Unites
• The kingdoms of Upper Egypt and Lower
Egypt were united by King Mendes around
3000 BCE.
Mendes:
• Established a capital, Memphis
• Established first Egyptian Dynasty
• United Upper and Lower Egypt
The crown above and to the left is the crown of Upper Egypt.
The crown above and in the middle is the crown of Lower Egypt.
The crown to the right shows the crown of Upper and Lower Egypt.
Pharaohs
• Egyptian kings were called
pharaohs
• The Egyptians viewed their
pharaohs the same as the gods
–KINGS WERE GODS
• Stood as center of religion as well as
government and army
• Type of Government is a Theocracy
Theocracy – a type of
government in which rule is
based on religious authority.
Pyramids
• Egyptians believed their kings ruled even
after death.
• For the kings of the Old Kingdom, the
resting place after death was a pyramid.
• Pyramids demonstrate the Old Kingdom
dynasties had developed the economic
strength, leadership, government
organization and technologies to support
massive public works projects.
Trade
• By 3200 BC, Egyptians were
trading with the Mesopotamians
• Also traded up and down the Nile
–Gold
–Ivory
–Cattle
–Granite blocks
Religion
• Polytheistic
• 2,000 gods and
goddesses
• Built huge temples
to honor gods
• Believed in
afterlife
–Osiris – god of the
dead
Social
• Very different from the citystates of Mesopotamia
• Egypt’s united kingdom
allowed
–High degree of unity
–Stability
–Cultural continuity (staying the
same)
Life in Egyptian Society
Pharaoh,
Queen, royal family
(Royal Advisor)
Priests
Wealthy landowners, Government
Officials Traders/Merchants
Ordinary Citizens
Slaves
Intellectual
• Early writing was a form of pictographs, but
scribes developed hieroglyphics (which
comes from the Greek for sacred carving)
• Originally written on stone, but developed
papyrus, a paper-like substance made from
reeds.
• Developed a calendar to keep track of the
time between floods and when to plant.
• Developed written numbers for recording
taxes
–Addition, subtraction
• Used geometry to survey land after the
floods.
• Built pyramids, palaces, stone columns
• Most advanced medicine in the ancient
world – could take pulse, set bones, had
effective treatments for wounds and
fevers, also performed surgery to treat
some conditions.
Egypt Cont.
• The history of Egypt is broken down into three
major periods known as the Old, Middle, and
New Kingdoms.
• Periods known for peace, productivity and longterm stability.
• The Intermediate periods were known for
political chaos and invasion.
• King Mendes united the Upper and Lower
kingdoms of Egypt to create the first Egyptian
dynasty in 3100 B.C.E.
The Old Kingdom
(2700 - 2200 B.C.E.)
• Many of the greatest and
largest pyramids were built
during this time period.
• The title of pharaoh was
given to the leader of Egypt.
• Egypt was divided into 42
provinces, which were run by
governors appointed by the
pharaoh.
The Middle Kingdom
(2050 - 1652 B.C.E.)
• Followed a 150 year
period of chaos.
• This period was marked
by expansion of the
empire.
• The period was also
known for compassionate
pharaohs.
• Public works projects
replaced pyramids and
idol construction.
The New Kingdom
(1567 - 1085 B.C.E.)
• The Hyksos, using
war chariots
defeated the
Egyptians and ruled
for 100 years prior
to the New
Kingdom.
• The New Kingdom
was a period of
military expansion
and construction.