Egyptian Civilization “The gift of the Nile”. The Impact of Geography.

Egyptian CivilizationEgyptian Civilization

““The gift of the Nile”The gift of the Nile”

The Impact of GeographyThe Impact of Geography

The Impact of GeographyThe Impact of Geography

NileThe longest river in the worldIt splits into two branchesFlows north, starting in the mountains of Africa, through deserts, and empties into the Mediterranean.

ProtectionUnlike Mesopotamia, Egypt’s geography makes it difficult to invadeMediterranean Sea – NorthRed Sea – EastSahara – WestAfrican mountains / Cataracts - South

Review QuestionReview Question

How did the Nile affect life in ancient

Egypt?

1. Provided the “miracle” of the Nile, which allowed farming

2. Provided a natural barrier from invasions

ReligionReligion

Polytheistic Important gods were sun and land gods Even the same god had different names

depending on the role it took on, two names for the sun god were Atum and Re

Osiris and Isis (reborn)


Which gods were most important to the Egyptians?

Atum, Re, Osiris, Isis (any god dealing with the land)

The course of Egyptian historyThe course of Egyptian history

Old Kingdom King Menes united Upper and Lower

Egypt in 3100 B.C. King Menes also created the first dynasty

(a family of rulers whose right to rule is passed on within the family)

King Menes took the title pharaoh (most common title for an Egyptian ruler)

Pharaohs had unlimited power but used a bureaucracy (non elected officials)


The most important government official was the vizier (steward of the whole land)

Pyramids were a cultural achievement of the Old Kingdom


Pyramids were not merely built for decoration, they were used as tombs for pharaohs

To prepare bodies for the afterlife, Egyptians used the process of mummification


Why was the mummification process so

important to Egyptians?

Because of their strong belief in the afterlife


Middle Kingdom Began around 2050 B.C. Conquered Nubia and sent armies to

Palestine and Syria Drained parts of the Delta and used it for

farmland. Also dug a canal to connect the Nile and

the Red Sea to aid in transportation


Hyksos Invaded from western Asia using horse-

drawn chariots and bronze weapons

New Kingdom Began in 1567 B.C. used weapons

brought by the Hyksos to overthrow them


Accomplishments of the New Kingdom Increased territory Built new temples Had a woman pharaoh

Problems in the New Kingdom Forced people to be monotheistic Lost land to invaders Ended when invaded by the “sea people”

Social StructureSocial Structure

Egyptian society is shaped like a pyramid


How was Egyptian society like a pyramid?

The most important groups (those at the top) were the smallestgroups.

Daily Life in Ancient EgyptDaily Life in Ancient Egypt

Men

masters of their houses

arranged marriages for their children

Women

well respected

educated the children

upperclass women even became preistesses


How were women treated in Egyptian

society?

Well respected, certain rights.

Writing and EducationWriting and Education

Hieroglyphics (priest carvings, sacred writings, writing of early Egyptians)

Hieratic Script (simplified version of Hieroglyphicswritten on papyrus, paper made from a reed that grewalong the Nile)

Achievements in Art and ScienceAchievements in Art and Science

Architecture

Pyramids, temples, and other monuments

show artistic ability.

Art

Followed a particular formula, it gave it a

distinctive look.

Achievements in Art and ScienceAchievements in Art and Science

Mathematics

Geometry, learned to calculate area and

Volume (building temples)

Science

365 day calendar

Experts in anatomy (mummification)


What advances did Egyptians make in

math and science? How are still used today?

Geometry (area and volume) – buildings and modernarchitecture.

Anatomy (modern first aid) – splints, bandages, treatfractures, wound care

Egyptian Civilization “The gift of the Nile”. The Impact of Geography.

Documents

nile slide

land slide

afterlife slide

pyramid slide

preistesses slide

transportation slide

old kingdom slide

process of mummification