The Kingdom of the Nile Egypt, like Mesopotamia, was a river valley civilization The Nile River was of central importance to the development of Egyptian civilization Egypt was blessed by natural barriers. It was isolated therefore it was protected by invaders The Kingdom of ancient Egypt survived for the next 3,000 years Farming by the Nile
The Old, Middle, New Kingdom Manetho, Egyptian priest & historian Around 3100 B.C., the first Egyptian royal dynasty, under a king named Menes, united Upper & Lower Egypt into one kingdom The Old Kingdom (2686 to 2125 B.C.) The Middle Kingdom (2055 to 1650 B.C.) The New Kingdom (c.1550 to 1070 B.C.)
The union of Upper and Lower Egypt – Palette of Narmer
Society in Ancient Egypt Society was organized in hierarchical lines with the god-king at the top Upper Class = nobles & priests Below the upper classes were merchants & artisans Lower Classes = serfs or common people who were bound to the land Egyptian men and women roles in society
The Pyramids Considered one of the greatest achievements of Egyptian civilization A City of the Dead A large pyramid for the king’s burial, smaller pyramids for his family, and mastabas for the pharaoh’s noble officials The Great Pyramid is considered the largest. It was built under King Khufu An Egyptian pyramid was an important symbol of royal power
The Great Pyramid The Great Pyramid of Khufu, next to him are his sons Khafre and Menkaure’s pyramids
Mastabas
Abu Simbel Temple dedicated to Rameses II
Queen Hatshepsut Temple
The Great Sphinx
Luxor Temple & Obelisk Most Egyptian temples that have survived date from the New Kingdom Oriented on an east-west axis, the temple received the sun’s morning rays Obelisks – commemorative stone pillars Commoners were forbidden to enter temples Temples were sanctuaries in which priests performed daily rituals of cosmic renewal on behalf of the pharaoh and the people
Egyptian Art & Sculpture Commissioned by kings or nobles for use in temples and tombs Statues were monuments to a pharaoh’s power & achievements Jewelry displayed the wearer’s wealth & taste Art depicted Egyptians as they would like to be seen, alive or after death Egyptian art depicted the differences in power and influence between women and men
Bracelets from the tomb of King Djer c BC
Pectorals of Princess Mereret from her tomb at Dahshur c.1820 BC
Prince Rahotep and his wife Nofret from their tomb at Maidum c BC
Old Kingdom sculpture Pharaoh Mycerinus and his queen
Fishing boats, model from the tomb of chancellor Meketre at Deir el-Bahri c BC
Armchair of Queen Hetepheres from a cache at Giza c BC
Nefertiti from El-Amarna c.1340 BC
Tutankhamun’s gold mask (1327 BC)
The goddess Selket, from the tomb of King Tut (1327 BC)
Funerary scenes in the tomb of the priest of the god Amun c.1380 BC
Akhenaten, Nefertiti & 2 daughters offering to the Aten c.1345 BC
Hippopotamus hunt, in the tomb of Ty at Saqqara c BC