9/11/2014 Besides water, what are other reasons as to why you think that civilizations developed along rivers? How did physical geography affect the settlement of the United States?

Ancient Kingdoms of the Nile

The Nile River The Nile is the longest river in the world – about 4,160 miles Ancient Egyptians built their civilization along 750 mile stretch right at the start

Advantages of Living Near Nile? Water!! Weather was sunny and frost-free Because of size/winds boats could travel upstream or row downstream with ease Deposits of granite, sandstone, and limestone Used for building materials Deserts/seas - natural protection from invaders

Early Steps Toward Civilization By 12,000 B.C. hunter-gatherers came in By 3,000 B.C. they developed hieroglyphics =Used more than 600 signs, pictures, or symbols to represent words and sounds Invented papyrus – plants pressed together Used ink made from soot, water, plant juice Rosetta Stone – 1798

The Egyptian Kingdoms After 3200 B.C.- Menes united all of Egypt Established a dynasty: A family of rulers A dynasty’s rule ends when the family is driven from power or when no one is left to rule Pharaohs: Ruler holding absolute power – served as judges, high priests, and generals

People regarded rulers as gods and built great temples and tombs to honor them From Menes to 300 B.C.- 30 dynasties ruled Egypt Split into 3 Kingdoms….

The Old Kingdom Existed from 2680 B.C. to 2180 B.C. Built the Great Sphinx and the largest pyramids Society was split into two classes: Lower class – farmers and peasants. They owed pharaoh so served in army and built things Upper class – Royal family, priests, scribes, officials

The Middle Kingdom Existed from 2050 B.C. to 1780 B.C. Was the “golden age” for Egypt In the 1700s B.C., new people from Asia came in called Hyksos: “foreigners” Brought the chariot and compound bow and destruction?? to the Middle Kingdom

The New Kingdom Eventually the Hyksos were driven out of Egypt Existed from 1570 B.C. to 1080 B.C. Pharaohs once again had absolute power With chariots and strong army, built an Empire: A form of government in which an individual rules over many other peoples and territories

Key Pharaohs in New Kingdom Hatshepsut One of the first female rulers Reigned from 1503 B.C. to 1482 B.C. Strong ruler who kept borders secure and established trade routes Her sons continued to expand the Empire

Amenhotep IV Rule from 1380 B.C. to 1362 B.C. Tried to bring about religious change Polytheism: Belief in many gods Monotheism: Belief in one god He believed in one god, but the priests and people did not, after his death they returned to polytheism

Egypt’s Decline Few strong pharaohs left Ramses II Ruled from 1279 B.C. to 1213 B.C. Constructed many temples and monuments Invasions from Sea Peoples weakened Egypt and eventually Mesopotamian People attacked Egypt By 300 B.C. it was OVER!