1. Ancient Egypt

3. The Creation of Egypt Beginning in the 5 th millennium it has been said that the early settlers of Egypt were native of North Africa. By 3500, a new group arrived i Egypt, most likely Armenians who came in small groups and mixed with the the old population making up the population of ancient Egypt

4. 4 4th Millennium Village settlement spreads through the Nile River Valley Creating basic social structures as well as irrigation systems. Several of these small villages group themselves together forming Kingdoms. 4

5. Geography Egypt is situated in the northeast corner of the Africa.

6. 6 Egypt’s History Divided into 3 Stages Old Kingdom 3100 - 2200 Middle Kingdom 2050-1750 New Kingdom 1580-1200 6

7. Old Kingdom (2700 B.C.- 2200 B.C.) Middle Kingdom (2050 B.C. – 1800 B.C.) New Kingdom (1550 B.C. – 1100 B.C.) Government -pharaohs organized a strong, centralized state -pharaohs had divine support of the gods -help from viziers -new pharaohs reunite the land -powerful & ambitious pharaohs (Hatshepsut, Ramses II) create a large empire Achievements -building of majestic pyramids at Giza -drainage project -trade with Middle East -presence in gold-rich Nubia -trade with Middle East -temples & monuments -peace treaty with Hittites Decline -power struggles, crop failures, cost of pyramids -invasion of Hyksos -Assyrians, Persians, Greeks and Romans from the north -warfare with Nubia

8. 8 Pharaoh The political basis of Egypt was a kingship in which the throne was passed on to the oldest son of the pharaoh. A vizier was the main power under the king Three basic function of the government: One function was to locate and collect resources for the support of the court and its projects. The second was to issue laws and variations of laws with detailed codes and punishments. This Egyptian basis for laws is known as Ma'at; their concept of justice and truth that went beyond present existence to include the ideal state of the universe. The third function of the Egyptian government was to maintain subordinate position of the people. They could be forced into work for the government or service in the military. 11

9. 9 Vizier in Ancient Egypt In the Egyptian kingdom, the vizier was the second most powerful official. Usually picked from the ranks of the scribes, the vizier was the pharaoh’s most trusted advisor. He oversaw many of the key functions of government including building projects, the state archives, and the state judiciary system. 9

10. 10 Unifying of Egypt Menes unifies both upper and lower Egypt around 3100 who instituted the first dynasty and called himself Pharaoh. King Menes establishing the new capitol in Memphis, from where the Pharaoh would rule with the support of a strong central government.Menes Ancient Egyptian history is divided up into 31 dynasties Ending with Alexander in 331. 8

11. The Old Kingdom "The Pyramid Age" During this period Egypt enjoyed prosperity and stability. The erection of the step pyramids at Saqqara during the reign of King Djoser. This was the largest structured believed at the time. 3 pyramids were built at Gizeh. 119

12. 12 Old Kingdom In the Old Kingdom the Egyptians built the Great Pyramids and Sphinx. The sphinx was a man’s head on the body of a lion. Because of the Great Pyramids, the Old Kingdom was also known as the pyramid age. During the Old Kingdom, Ancient Egypt was ruled by a strong government for 500 years. Then priests and other government officials demanded more power. 10

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14. 14 Middle Kingdom In the Middle Kingdom the Ancient Egyptians developed a new government where the pharaoh did not have total power over Egypt. The officials got their way. However, this did not mean that their civilization was weak or that the pharaohs did not have any power. In fact, strong pharaohs of the 12 th dynasty had complete authority. Their civilization was quite successful. The Egyptians had engineering projects, irrigation, and were building ditches during this period 14

15. Queen Hatshepsut Hatshepsut was unique because she took on several male adornments while she ruled Egypt. Unlike most women of that time, she attached a false beard, wore male clothing, and was depicted in statutes as a pharaoh. 15

16. 16 New Kingdom The New Kingdom started out as a great time for Ancient Egypt, but it ended very differently. In the New Kingdom, Ancient Egypt was one of the world’s greatest powers. Egypt conquered many countries around Nubia, supplying Egypt with many treasures. Soon Egypt developed a great empire that reached its highest point in 1400 BC. The New Kingdom capital was moved to Thebes. advantage of their weakness. 16

17. 17 New Kingdom Later the pharaoh Amenhotep devoted himself to the god Aton, who replaced all the gods in the New Kingdom except for Ra, the sun god. At the end of the New Kingdom, Ancient Egyptians moved their capital to Akenton. Soon there was another power struggle among the government officials. This caused Ancient Egypt to break into smaller states, making it weak. Invaders gladly took advantage of their weakness. 17

18. “The Gift of the Nile" About 95 % of Egypt's population still live in the Nile valley. Egypt is mainly made up of hot deserts and receives little rainfall. Without the River Nile, the area would be entirely desert. All of Egypt depended on the Nile for water, food and transportation. The Nile also provided the ancient Egyptians with fertile land which helped them to grow their crops and raise their animals. the River Nile would flood each year coating the land on either side of the river with thick back mud. This mud was ideal for growing crops on.

19. -Nile River -annual floods provide life-giving water and a layer of rich soil -had to use technology to control the floods (dikes, reservoirs, irrigation ditches)

20. -Nile River (continued…) -fertile land for farming -wheat and flax (plant fibers used for clothing)

22. -Nile River (continued…) -served as a “highway” -unites Upper & Lower Egypt -trade route for merchants

23. Pyramids tombs of the dead. Book of the Dead was placed in the graves. This was to help the dead answer the judgements of gods. Temples of gods. Priest performed prayers Pharaohs took on the daily serves of the gods and the people helped. Pyramid of Khufu and Gizeh (Giza)

24. Religion -Egyptians were polytheistic (believed in many gods) -chief god was Amon-Re (sun god) -A young pharaoh named Akhenaton challenged Egyptian beliefs and traditions -belief in an afterlife -buried the dead with everything they needed -mummified the bodies

25. 25 Religious Beliefs Egyptian society was influenced by religious belief and practice. Believed that everything during their life was influenced by “Divine Forces.” In Ancient Egypt, religious beliefs were a direct means of social control. The people had a strong sense of loyalty to the pharaoh, and believed that he ruled by divine right, that he was a god incarnate. The Egyptians believed in a polytheistic system in which the gods controlled the world and man. 19

26. 26 They believed that the gods major events, such as regular flooding of the Nile and victory in battle, even household incidents. Affected morality and human behavior. Egyptians religion and beliefs grew over time. 20

27. 27 Deities god/goddess Egyptian deities were believed to have three shapes: –animal –human –combination of both –1400 gods were discovered in the Book of the Dead 21

28. 28 Sacred Bull, Apis Protector of the city of Memphis 22

29. 29 Horus “Rising sun” Falcon-Headed man looked upon the child of Osiris and Isis, the god and goddess of the Nile. Re Amon Amon- Re national gods 23

30. 30 After Life Story has it that Osiris the god of fertility and agricultural marries Isis, the goddess of the Nile. Together they had a child, Horus. Osiris was killed by his step brother, Set. Set threw Osiris dismembered bodied into the Nile River. Isis gathered her husbands body and restored him back to life. 24

31. 31 Ancient Egypt - National Geographic - YouTube Osiris now is the symbol of immortality. Ancient Egyptians believe that if they associate themselves with Osiris they too will have immortality. Imhotep advisor to the King 25

32. Social Order

33. Achievements -hieroglyphics as writing system -Rosetta Stone helps us translateRosetta Stone -medicine, astronomy, mathematics -12 month calendar -statues & paintings -folk tales and other literature