Geography and Early Egypt

Section 1: Geography and Early Egypt

The gift of the Nile

A.Greek Historian named Herodotus called Egypt the gift of the Nile.

B.Location and Physical Features

1.Nile-

2. Lower Egypt- North Egypt

3. Upper Egypt- South Egypt

4. Cataracts- rapids

5. Delta- triangle shape area of land made from soil deposited by a river.

The Floods of the Nile were easier to predict than in Mesopotamia

1. The flooding of the Nile left rich silt.

Civilization Develops in Egypt

Nile provided both water and fertile soil for farming

Increased Food production

types of food Egyptians ate- wheat, barley, fruit vegetables, duck geese, cattle, sheep, and many types of fish

Two Kingdoms

Natural Barriers- made it hard to invade Egypt

Upper Kingdom- cataracts

Lower Kingdom- mediterranean sea kept invaders away

Kings Unify Egypt

Menes- in 3100BC he rose to power in upper Egypt

Double Crown- showed that upper and lower Egypt were united

Pharaoh- is the title used by the rulers of Egypt

Dynasty- ,or series of rulers from the same family

First Dynasty- rivals arose to challenge the first Dynasty for power

End of first dynasty- these challengers took over Egypt and established the second Dynasty

Section 2: The Old Kingdom

Life in the Old Kingdom

Third Dynasty- its rule began a period in Egyptian history known as the old kingdom

Early Pharaohs

Old Kingdom- the old kingdom was a period of time in Egyptian history that lasted for about 500years from 2700BC to 2200BC

Belief System the system the developed was based on the belief that the pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt but , was both king and a god

responsibilities: people blamed the pharaoh if crops did not grow well or if disease struck

Khufu the most famous pharaoh who ruled in the 2500BC was Khufu

Society and Trade

social classes- first was Pharos then nobles after scribes and craft people than farmers, servants and slaves

nobles- ,or people from rich and powerful families

trade- as society developed during the old kingdom, Egypt traded with some of its neighbors

Religion and Egyptian Life

The gods of Egypt

Practiced polytheism

Temples-the Egyptians built temples for the gods everywhere

gods Egyptians had gods nearly for everything including sun,sky and earth

Emphasis on the afterlife

Afterlife- or life after death

Ka- a persons life force

to fulfill the Ka's needs: food water sleep and it needed to be entertained

Burial Practices

1. to keep the Ka from suffering Egyptians developed a method called embalming

2. mummies- are specially treated bodies wrapped in cloth

3. elite- are people of wealth and power

D. The pyramids

1. pyramids- are huge stone tombs with four triangle shaped sides that met in a point on top

2. engineering was the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes

E. Building the Pyramids

1. time began building:2700bc

2. amount of workers: there was almost 100,000 workers

3. how they built them: with large blocks made of lime stone

F. Significance of the pyramids

1. size and shape of pyramid were symbolic,symbolized pharaohs journey to afterlife

protection of tombs: put magic spells and hymns on pharaohs tombs

Section 3: Middle and New Kingdom

Middle Kingdom

Nobles gained enough power to challenge the pharaohs and gain control

Middle Kingdom- a period of order and stability which lasted to about 1750 BC

Hyksos-Was Egypts first target and was their second target

Ahmose of Thebes- declared himself king and drove the Hyksos out of Egypt

New Kingdom

New Kingdom- the period during which Egypt reached the height of its power and glory

Building an Empire

Prevention of invasion- they decided to take control of all possible invasions routes in to there kingdom