Era 1 Unit 2 Egypt

Bell Ringer Agenda Why did civilizations develop in river valleys? When did these civilizations exist? Lecture Map Activity Crash course

Egypt Geography Nile River flows north and empties into the Mediterranean Sea.  ​ The fertile marshy land of lower Egypt is called the Nile River Delta.  This area of rich soil was good for farming.​ Flooding was predictable.​ The deserts provided protection from invaders.

Geography Cont. Just beyond the river, the land is desert. Farming was good only along the banks of the river and in the delta because only the river banks were fertile.​ Notice the desert just beyond the river? 

Politics the first dynasty arose when upper and lower Egypt were united into a single kingdom.  The capital was Memphis Egypt’s government was a dynasty “Heredity rule” Ruled by Pharaohs Strong rulers led to stability in Egypt

Features of Egypt Political System Divine rule Pharaohs were god-kings ​ Pharaohs had absolute rule The bureaucracy Many departments to carry out the functions of government.​ Theocracy Religious rule

Economy Farming Traded Made paper Made linen cloth Along the narrow strips of land bordering the Nile River​  Traded  Along the Nile (Nubia) and into Mesopotamia​ goods included gold, ivory, paper and linen and granite blocks​ Paid taxes to the Pharaoh in the form of crops and forced labor on building projects​ Made paper From papyrus​ Made linen cloth

Religion A wonderful afterlife awaited upon death Pyramids were final resting place for dead Pharaoh’s Filled with pleasures of life.​ The human soul needed to be judged and then reconnected with the body.  ​ The body had to be mummified (preserved) so it would be recognized.​ Worldly goods such as jewelry, pottery and gold were buried with the body to be enjoyed in the afterlife.

Religion Cont. The Egyptians were polytheistic There were 2,000 gods and goddesses​ Sun god Re Very important as were river and land deities, Osiris God of the dead Isis Help dead Egyptians Horus Thought to be manifestation of Pharaoh’s reign

Society Largest group of people fall into these two categories

Society Cont. Pharaoh Hatshepsut Egyptians could move up or down in society and slaves could buy their freedom.  To win the highest positions, one needed to be able to read and write. ​ Women had as many rights as men. There were one or two women who served as Pharaoh Egyptian society enjoyed stability and cultural​ continuity because the kingdom was united and​ because of its political stability over long ​periods of time.​

Intellectual Hieroglyphics A pictographic language First written on stone or clay.​ later developed a paper-like product called Papyrus.  It came from reeds that grew in the Nile River delta.​

Achievements Egyptians were skilled mathematicians.  They used a number system and geometry.  Why would these be useful to the Egyptians? Medicine Advanced in developing medicines, performing surgery and in setting broken bones

Achievements The Egyptians would develop a 365- day calendar that was comprised of 12 months, each comprised of 30 days with one 5-day celebration.​ Why would the Egyptians need a calendar?​ They needed to know when to plant crops which was based on regular flooding of the Nile.  The floods came each year at the same time.    As the floods receded, rich silt was left behind which made the soil very fertile –the perfect time for planting crops. ​

Crash Course https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3Wvw6BivVI