1. THE NILE VALLEY CHAPTER 2: SECTION 1

2. Settling the Nile Nile River Nile River 4,000 mile long 4,000 mile long Drink, clean, farm, cook, fish Drink, clean, farm, cook, fish Blue Nile and White Nile Blue Nile and White Nile Cataracts—narrow cliffs and boulders in the Nile that form wild rapids Cataracts—narrow cliffs and boulders in the Nile that form wild rapids Geographic Protection from enemies Geographic Protection from enemies Sahara Desert to the West Sahara Desert to the West Mountains to the East Mountains to the East Cataracts to the South Cataracts to the South Delta marshes to the North Delta marshes to the North Nile Valley—narrow, green valley in Egypt Northern end of the valley is fertile—this is the delta Mediterranean Sea to the north and Red Sea to the East allowed trade with other people Traveled the Nile to trade with each other

3. Discussion Question How did natural protection help Egypt? How did natural protection help Egypt? Enemies had difficulty attacking the country. Keeping people safe helped the Egyptian population grow Enemies had difficulty attacking the country. Keeping people safe helped the Egyptian population grow

4. The River People Floods along the Nile were predictable and not devastating during Spring Floods along the Nile were predictable and not devastating during Spring Floods would leave dark, fertile mud Floods would leave dark, fertile mud Wheat, Barley, and Flax seeds Wheat, Barley, and Flax seeds Irrigation Irrigation Dug basins to trap flood waters Dug basins to trap flood waters Dug canals to channel water to fields Dug canals to channel water to fields Built support to strengthen basin walls Built support to strengthen basin walls

5. The River People Papyrus—reed plant, used to make baskets, sandals, and river rafts Later used to make paper Hieroglyphics-Egyptian system of writing Consisted of thousands of picture symbols Later symbols stood for sounds Some Egyptian men learned to read and write Scribes

6. Discussion Question Why might scribes be important to Egyptian civilization? Why might scribes be important to Egyptian civilization? Rulers and other people in power such as priests need scribes for record keeping. Few people could go to school to be a scribe Rulers and other people in power such as priests need scribes for record keeping. Few people could go to school to be a scribe

7. United Egypt Surplus of food—people became artisans instead of farmers Surplus of food—people became artisans instead of farmers Wove cloth, pottery, carved statues, and crafted weapons and tools Wove cloth, pottery, carved statues, and crafted weapons and tools Traded with each other and with others in Mesopotamia Traded with each other and with others in Mesopotamia The earliest rulers of Egypt were village chiefs The earliest rulers of Egypt were village chiefs 4000 B.C. –two large kingdoms in Egypt 4000 B.C. –two large kingdoms in Egypt Nile delta—Lower Egypt Nile delta—Lower Egypt South—Upper Egypt South—Upper Egypt A few strong chiefs united groups of villages into kingdoms A few strong chiefs united groups of villages into kingdoms

8. United Egypt 3100 B.C.—two kingdoms became one 3100 B.C.—two kingdoms became one Narmer (Menes)—King of Upper Egypt-took his armies north and took control of lower Egypt Narmer (Menes)—King of Upper Egypt-took his armies north and took control of lower Egypt Ruled from the city of Memphis Ruled from the city of Memphis Kingdom lasted long after his death—Father to son to grandson—forming a dynasty Kingdom lasted long after his death—Father to son to grandson—forming a dynasty Egypt was ruled by 31 Dynasties group into three time periods Egypt was ruled by 31 Dynasties group into three time periods Old Kingdom—2600 B.C. Old Kingdom—2600 B.C. Middle Kingdom—2050 B.C. Middle Kingdom—2050 B.C. New Kingdom—1550 B.C. New Kingdom—1550 B.C.

9. Discussion Question In what ways was ancient Egypt like Mesopotamia? In what ways was ancient Egypt like Mesopotamia? Powerful Rivers Powerful Rivers Economies based on farming Economies based on farming Artisans Artisans Technological advances Technological advances Government to help the people Government to help the people

10. Early Egyptian Life Social Classes Social Classes Pharaoh Upper Class Nobles, priests, government officials Middle Class Merchants, artisans, shoe keepers, scribes Lower Middle Class Farmers Lower Class Unskilled workers

11. Early Egyptian Life Men—head of the households Men—head of the households Few children went to school Few children went to school Played games and had toys Played games and had toys Egyptian girls learned to sew, cook and run a household Egyptian girls learned to sew, cook and run a household Boys learned to farm or a skilled trade Boys learned to farm or a skilled trade Women- Women- could own and pass on property could own and pass on property Buy and sell goods Buy and sell goods Make wills Make wills Obtain divorces Obtain divorces

12. Discussion Question How are US children today like children of ancient Egypt? How are they different? How are US children today like children of ancient Egypt? How are they different? Toys/Games Toys/Games Boys/Girls are required by law of USA to go to school Boys/Girls are required by law of USA to go to school Girls can learn to farm or skill trade Girls can learn to farm or skill trade Boys can learn to sew and cook Boys can learn to sew and cook