1. Ancient Egypt

2. “Egypt is the Gift of the Nile” Herodotus: 400 BC (Greek Historian)

3. The Nile River is the world’s longest running river!

4. The Nile River runs continually for over 4400 Miles!

5. White Nile are the source rivers of the true Nile.
The Nile River
The Blue Nile and the
White Nile are the source rivers of the true Nile.
In ancient times the Nile River flowed through Nubia first and then through Egypt!
Khartoum
White Nile
Blue Nile

6. The Main source of the White Nile is Victoria Lake.
Lake Victoria lies deep in the middle of the African continent along the borders of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda

7. Lake Victoria is the source of the White Nile River

8. The largest waterfall in the world!
Victoria Falls
The largest waterfall in the world!

9. The Blue Nile originates at Lake Tania in the Ethiopian Highlands!

10. Blue Nile
Lake Tania – located in the Ethiopian Highlands - is the source of the Blue Nile!

11. Blue Nile The Blue Nile picks up dark fertile soil along its path.
It carries this rich muddy soil to the main trunk of the river!

12. Where the White Nile and the Blue Nile converge!
Khartoum
Khartoum:
Where the White Nile and the Blue Nile converge!

13. The Nile River
At Khartoum the Blue Nile and the White Nile meet to form the main trunk of the Nile River

14. Lower Egypt is located in the northern area of Egypt!

15. Upper Egypt is located in the region to the south of Lower Egypt!
The terminology "Upper" and "Lower" derives from the flow of the Nile from the highlands of East Africa northwards to sea level and the Mediterranean Sea.

16. The Nile’s current flows from
The Nile River
The Nile’s current flows from
South to North!

17. The “Etesian Winds” of Egypt blow South!
The Nile River
The “Etesian Winds” of Egypt blow South!

18. The Nile River Rich Fertile soil stretches approximately 6 miles out
from each side of the river bank.

19. The Nile River After you travel approximately 6 miles from the river
you reach mountains and desert!

20. The Desert If you travel past the nearby mountains you reach
the uninhabitable open desert!

21. The Nile River
An overhead view of Egypt at night displays how almost all Egyptian cities and towns are within a few miles of the Nile River!

22. The Nile River
The Nile River flooded every year between June and September –
in a season the Egyptians called Akhet: - “The Inundation.”

23. It was also called “Kemet” which means “Dark Land”
The Inundation
The rich fertile soil left behind after the Nile’s flood was called “Silt!”
It was also called “Kemet” which means “Dark Land”

24. There are six cataracts along the Nile River!

25. Cataracts are fast moving white-water rapids!

26. The first cataract separated ancient Egypt from ancient Nubia (Sudan)

27. Cataracts Between the First and Second cataracts was Lower Nubia!
Between the Second and Sixth cataracts was Upper Nubia!

28. Lower Nubia The land of Lower Nubia (Sudan) was mountainous.
It had a relatively low population and had very little fertile ground!

29. Upper Nubia Upper Nubia (Sudan) possessed much fertile ground.
It had more kingdoms – cities – towns - and was highly populated

30. The Natural Boundaries of Egypt
Mediterranean Sea
Sahara Desert
Eastern Desert
Egypt has four natural protecting boundaries. The Sahara Desert to the west. The Eastern Desert to the east. The Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
Red Sea

31. and covers about 3,500,000 square miles of area within its boundaries.
The Sahara Desert
The Sahara desert lies to the west of Egypt. It is the world's largest hot desert
and covers about 3,500,000 square miles of area within its boundaries.

32. The Eastern Desert The Eastern Desert lies to the east of Egypt.
It was once known as the Eastern Sahara Desert.

33. The Red Sea
The Red Sea covers an area of almost 170,000 miles. For the ancient Egyptians it provided a strong natural barrier from enemy attack.

34. Mediterranean Sea
The Nile River empties into the Mediterranean Sea. The Sea lies to
the north of Egypt and served as a powerful obstacle against invasion.

35. Natural Boundaries: A blessing for ancient Egypt!
Unlike the open areas of Mesopotamia – where wars and conflict were constant –
The natural boundaries of ancient Egypt . . .
The Mediterranean Sea
The Red Sea
The Sahara Desert
The Eastern Desert
provided protective barriers against enemy invasions and attacks. This allowed the Egyptian civilization to prosper and grow without outside interference.
Sahara Desert

36. The Nile Delta
The Nile Delta is where the river ends. It branches out into numerous tributaries and streams – emptying into the Mediterranean Sea.

37. The Nile Delta
The Nile Delta is a triangular shaped strip of waterways
and fertile marshy soil – Great for Farming!

38. The word Delta is derived from the letter D in the
The Nile Delta
The word Delta is derived from the letter D in the
Greek Alphabet! = Delta

39. Notes
400 BC - Greek historian Herodotus wrote, “Egypt is the Gift of the Nile!”
The Nile River is the world’s longest running river – 4400 miles.
The Blue Nile and the White Nile are the source rivers of the true Nile.
The Main source of the White Nile is Victoria Lake.
Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world.
The Blue Nile originates at Lake Tania in the Ethiopian Highlands.
The Blue Nile carries rich fertile soil to the main trunk of the Nile River.
The white Nile and the Blue Nile meet at Khartoum to form the main trunk of the Nile.
Lower Egypt is located in the northern area of Egypt.
Upper Egypt is located in the region to the south of Lower Egypt.
The Nile’s current flows from South to North.
The “Etesian Winds” of Egypt blow to the South.
Rich Fertile soil stretches approximately 6 miles out from each side of the river bank.
After you travel approximately 6 miles from the river you reach mountains and desert!

40. Notes The Nile River flooded every year between June and September.
The ancient Egyptians called this flood the “ Inundation.”
The rich fertile soil left behind after the Nile’s flood was called “Silt!”
It was also called “Kemet” which means “Dark Land”
There are six cataracts along the Nile River.
Cataracts are fast moving white-water rapids.
The first cataract separated ancient Egypt from ancient Nubia (Sudan).
Between the First and Second cataracts was Lower Nubia! It was mountainous.
Between the Second and Sixth cataracts was Upper Nubia! It possessed fertile land.
The natural boundaries of ancient Egypt - the Mediterranean Sea - the Red Sea -
the Sahara Desert and the Eastern Desert - provided protective barriers against enemy invasions and attacks.
The Nile Delta is a triangular shaped strip of waterways that empties into the Mediterranean Sea. It is covered with fertile marshy soil that is great for farming .
The word Delta is derived from the letter D in the Greek Alphabet.

41. Ancient Egyptian Rulers
Pharaoh: An ancient Egyptian King!
The Pharaoh had Absolute Power!
The Pharaoh was a god to the people of ancient Egypt – he was the “Living Horus” (God who ruled the earth)
Originally the word pharaoh meant
“Royal Palace” or “Great House”

42. A dynasty is a family of rulers! Ancient Egypt had 31 dynasties!
It is generational – passed on from one son to the next oldest son – until a new family and dynasty takes over!
Ancient Egypt had 31 dynasties!

43. A Regent rules for a child king until the child is old enough to rule!

44. Hatshepsut Hatshepsut was the daughter of the Pharaoh Thutmose I
She was the stepsister and wife of the Pharaoh Thutmose II
She was also the Stepmother and Regent for the Pharaoh Thutmose III

45. ( Not allowed for Women )
Queen Hatshepsut
Ca BC
Hatshepsut declared
Herself Pharaoh!
( Not allowed for Women )

46. She refused to yield leadership and ruled
Queen Hatshepsut
Hatshepsut ruled Egypt for almost 22 years while her stepson Thutmose III waited angrily to take power!
She refused to yield leadership and ruled
with skill and energy.

47. Queen Hatshepsut
She had statues created all over Egypt displaying an image of herself as a Man!
. . . with a Beard!
Her death in 1458 BC is still a mystery. Did she die of a cancer or was she poisoned? No one knows!

48. Hatshepsut
The temple at Deir el-Bahari
Hatshepsut built a complex of mortuary tombs located on the west bank of the Nile, opposite the city of Luxor, Egypt.
Mummified remains of Queen Hatshepsut

49. Became Pharaoh of Egypt in 1458 BC
Thutmose III
Stepson of Hatshepsut
Became Pharaoh of Egypt in 1458 BC
One of ancient Egypt’s
Greatest Rulers

50. He conquered Nubia – Phoenicia – Syria - and Mesopotamia!
Thutmose III
Thutmose III was ancient Egypt’s greatest conquering Pharaoh!
He conquered Nubia – Phoenicia – Syria - and Mesopotamia!

51. Thutmose III
He is known as the “Napoleon of Egypt” because of his military genius!
Thutmose III was well educated and loved to read!
He was generous and merciful to the many people he conquered!

52. Ancient Egypt Three Major Historical Periods
Old Kingdom
2700 – 2200 BC
Pharaoh Khufu
Built the Great Pyramid at Giza
Pharaoh Khafre
Built the Great Sphinx
Built 2nd Great Pyramid at Giza
Pharaoh Menkaure
Built 3rd Great Pyramid at Giza
Middle Kingdom
2200 – 1800 BC
Expansion of Kingdom
Into Nubia
Building Projects
Irrigation – Canal connecting Nile to Red Sea
God Osiris Supreme
Book of the Dead becomes guide to the Afterlife
New Kingdom
1800 – 1100 BC
Famous Pharaohs:
Hatshepsut
Thutmose III
Tutenkhamen
Ramses II
Taharka
Alexander conquers
Egypt BC

53. Notes
Pharaoh: An ancient Egyptian King - He had Absolute Power – A God: The Living Horus
A dynasty is a family of rulers - Ancient Egypt had 31 dynasties
A Regent rules for a child king until the child is old enough to take power
Hatshepsut: Daughter of Pharaoh Thutmose I - stepsister and wife of the Pharaoh Thutmose II - Stepmother and Regent for the Pharaoh Thutmose III
Hatshepsut was the first woman to declare herself Pharaoh – She ruled for 22 years – She had statues of herself made in the image of a man with a beard
Thutmose III was the stepson of Hatshepsut – He became Egypt’s greatest conqueror – Thutmose III was well educated and generous to his defeated foes
Ancient Egypt is divided into 3 Historical Eras: Old Kingdom – Middle Kingdom and
New Kingdom
Old Kingdom Era is best known for the building of the Great Pyramids. These pyramids were built at Giza by the pharaohs Khufu, his son Khafre, and his grandson Menkaure – Khafre also built the Great Sphinx
The Middle Kingdom is a time of building projects – new cities – and rise of the god Osiris
The New Kingdom is a time of the most famous pharaohs – the New Kingdom ends when Alexander the Great conquers Egypt

54. Ten Famous Pharaohs: Menes Khufu Khafre Menkaure Tutenkhamen
Hatshepsut
Ramses II
Thutmose III
Cleopatra
Amenhotep

55. Menes The Pharaoh Menes united the kingdoms of Lower and
ca – 3050 BC
Pharaoh and founding king of the first ancient Egyptian Dynasty!
The Pharaoh Menes united the kingdoms of Lower and
Upper Egypt under one Crown!

56. Khufu The Pharaoh Khufu
Ca. 2589–2566 BC
The Pharaoh Khufu
(Also known to the Greeks as the Pharaoh Cheops)
Built the “Great Pyramid” at Giza!

57. Khufu
Khufu’s Great Pyramid was designed as his final resting place – his eternal tomb.
It is the only one of the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World to still exist!

58. The Great Pyramid
The Great Pyramid contained over 2,300,000 stone blocks!
Each stone block had an average weight of over 5,000 pounds!

59. Khafre The Pharaoh Khafre was the son of Khufu
Khafre built the 2nd Great Pyramid at Giza
In honor of his father – He had his Pyramid built 2 feet shorter in height
Khafre also built the famous “Great Sphinx”
The Sphinx is the Guardian of the Pyramids
2558 BC and 2532 BC

60. Khafre

61. Menkaure The Pharaoh Menkaure was the son of Khafre
He was the Grandson of Khufu
He built the 3rd and final of the Great Pyramids at Giza!

62. The Great Pyramids

63. The first woman to declare herself Pharaoh!
Hatshepsut
1508–1458 BC
The first woman to declare herself Pharaoh!
Stepmom and Regent to
Thutmose III!
Ruled for 22 years!

64. Ancient Egypt’s Greatest Conquering Pharaoh!
Thutmose III
1479–1425 BC
Stepson of Hatshepsut!
Ancient Egypt’s Greatest Conquering Pharaoh!

65. Amenhotep IV - (Akenhaten)
The Pharaoh Amenhotep IV changed his name to Akhenaten in honor of the Sun God: Aten
Akhenaten changed the religion of ancient Egypt!
He banned worship of the ancient Gods & Goddesses
The people and High Priests were only allowed to worship the Sun God Aten
The name Akhenaten means
“In Service of the Sun!”
1353–1336 BC

66. Tutenkhamen King Tut Son of Akhenaten Boy King Became Pharaoh at age 9
Died at age 18
Ca. 1332–1323 BC,

67. Tutenkhamen
Tutankhamun is remembered for his tomb in the Valley of the Kings
It was discovered intact by British archaeologist Howard Carter
It was packed with amazing treasure.

68. Tutenkhamen Howard Carter discovered King Tut’s tomb in 1922
In the Valley of the Kings

69. Lord Carnarvon sponsored Howard Carter’s digging expeditions in Egypt
Tutenkhamen
Lord Carnarvon’s Estate in England
Lord Carnarvon
Lord Carnarvon sponsored Howard Carter’s digging expeditions in Egypt

70. The Tomb of Tutenkhamen

71. Tutenkhamen
King Tut’s Mummy

72. Ramses II The Pharaoh Ramses II Reigned 1279-1212 B.C
He had over 100 Wives
. . . and 200 children
He lived to the approximate
unheard of age of 96
He conquered the Hittites at the famous Battle of Kadesh
He built the magnificent
Temple of Abu Simbel

73. Ramses II Ramses II was also known as Ramses The Great
Queen Nefertari
Ramses II was also known as Ramses The Great
The chief queen of Ramses II was Nefertari.

74. Ramses II Temple at Abu Simbel

75. Ramses II
Ramses II Mummy!

76. Cleopatra Last Ruler of Ancient Egypt
Made Queen by the Roman Leader Julius Caesar

77. Last of the Ptolemy Dynasty Rulers Wife of the Roman Ruler Marc Antony
Cleopatra
Last of the Ptolemy Dynasty Rulers
Lover of Julius Caesar
Wife of the Roman Ruler Marc Antony

78. Thus ended the last of the 31 dynasties of ancient Egypt!
Cleopatra
After her husband Marc Antony’s defeat and death - Cleopatra committed suicide 30 BC!
Thus ended the last of the 31 dynasties of ancient Egypt!
Rome made Egypt a Roman Province and there were no more Egyptian Pharaohs!

79. Notes: The Pharaohs
Menes: The first Pharaoh - Founding king of the first ancient Egyptian Dynasty – He united lower and upper Egypt under one crown
Khufu: (Also known by the Greeks as the Pharaoh Cheops) – Built the “Great Pyramid” at Giza – The Pyramid contained over 2, 300,000 stone blocks – Each block had an average weight of over 5,000 pounds – The pyramid was built to be his tomb
Khafre: The Pharaoh Khafre was the son of Khufu – He built the 2nd Great Pyramid at Giza – Khafre also built the famous “Great Sphinx” as Guardian of the pyramids
Menkaure: The Pharaoh Menkaure was the son of Khafre – He built the third and final of the Great Pyramids at Giza
Hatshepsut: She was the first woman to declare herself pharaoh – She was the regent to Thutmose III – She ruled for 22 years
Thutmose III: He was the stepson of Hatshepsut – He is famous for being ancient Egypt’s greatest conqueror – The “Napoleon of Egypt”

80. Notes
Amenhotep IV: He changed his name to Akhenaten in honor of the Sun God: Aten - He banned worship of the ancient Gods & Goddesses - The name Akhenaten means “In Service of the Sun!”
Tutenkhamen: He was crowned pharaoh at age 9 – He died at age 18 – His tomb was found in the Valley of the Kings completely intact by Howard Carter in 1922 – Carter’s expeditions were sponsored by a British Egyptologist, Lord Cararvon
King Tut’s tomb was filled with gold and treasure – Including Tutenkhamen’s world famous gold Death Mask
Ramses II: Known as Ramses The Great – Had over 100 wives and 200 children – Lived to the approximate age of 96 – Defeated the Hittites at Kadesh – Built the famous temple at Abu Simbel
Cleopatra: Last Ruler of Ancient Egypt - Made Queen by the Roman Leader Julius Caesar
Last of the Ptolemy Dynasty Rulers - Wife of the Roman Ruler Marc Antony - Committed suicide 30 BC - The last ruler of the 31 dynasties of ancient Egypt