Pyramids on the Nile World History

Egypt “The Gift of the Nile” - Herodotus Geography The Nile River: flows S to N and floods regularly (very predictable), & deposits silt Climate: dry & hot Natural Boundaries: Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, & Sahara Desert.

Pharaoh United Egypt was ruled by pharaoh or “great house” Egyptian god-king Absolute/unlimited power Bore full responsibility for the kingdom’s prosperity Caused the rivers to rise, Nile to flood, & crops to grow This form of government is a theocracy Rule is based on religious authority

Pyramids Egyptians believed the life continued after death Tombs were very important to rulers because they continued to rule after death The resting places for pharaohs were pyramids built during the Old Kingdom

Hieroglyphics & Hieratic System of writing Hieroglyphic - a word meaning “sacred” carvings” or priestly writings First inscribed on stone, later on a plant material called papyrus. Key to translate hieroglyphics was the Rosetta Stone In 1822 Jean Champollion broke the code of heiroglyphics

Trade Traded with Minoans on Crete & Nubians & Kushites (south of Egypt)

Government Why is Narmer a legendary hero in ancient Egyptian History? (pg. 37) How did the role of Egyptian pharaohs differ from the role of Mesopotamian rulers? (pg. 37) Why did the Egyptians build great pyramids for their Kings? (pg. 37-38) How did Egyptian religious beliefs compare with those of the Mesopotamians? (pg. 38) What social classes made up Egyptian society? (pg. 40) What were significant achievements of the ancient Egyptians in science and technology? (pg. 40-41) How did the Egyptian writing system compare with the Mesopotamian system? (pg. 40) Why was Ancient Egypt viewed as the “gift of the Nile”? (pg. 35)

Government Why is Narmer a legendary hero in ancient Egyptian History? Menes united Upper and Lower Egypt How did the role of Egyptian pharaohs differ from the role of Mesopotamian rulers? Egyptian pharaohs were gods who ruled over government, religion, and the military. Mesopotamian kings were representatives of gods, but they themselves were not considered gods. Why did the Egyptians build great pyramids for their Kings? Egyptians believed kings had eternal spirits and built pyramids as resting places from which their rulers could reign forever after death

Culture How did Egyptian religious beliefs compare with those of the Mesopotamians? Both were polytheistic; Egyptians believed in an afterlife while Mesopotamians had a bleak view of death What social classes made up Egyptian society? Royal family; upper, middle, and lower classes; & slaves What were significant achievements of the ancient Egyptians in science and technology? Developed a number system, form of geometry, columns in architecture, calendar, medical procedures, mummification How did the Egyptian writing system compare with the Mesopotamian system? Both systems began with pictures to represent ideas

Why was Ancient Egypt viewed as the “gift of the Nile”? The Nile provided Egyptians with water from distant mountains, rich fertile soil, especially in the delta region and abundant harvests. The Nile was a reliable source of transportation between Upper and Lower Egypt, two distinct regions that developed between the First Cataract, or rapids, and the Mediterranean.