Ancient Egypt

Get Ready to Read (cont.) The Nile Valley Get Ready to Read (cont.) Focusing on the Main Ideas The Egyptian civilization began in the fertile Nile River valley, where natural barriers discouraged invasions. The Egyptians depended on the Nile’s floods to grow their crops. Around 3100 B.C., Egypt’s two major kingdoms, Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt, were combined into one.

Get Ready to Read (cont.) The Nile Valley Get Ready to Read (cont.) Focusing on the Main Ideas (cont.) The Egyptian civilization began in the fertile Nile River valley, where natural barriers discouraged invasions. Locating Places Egpyt (EE·jihpt) Nile River (NYL) Sahara (suh·HAR·uh)

The Nile Valley Settling the Nile The earliest Egyptians moved into the Nile River valley from less fertile areas. They farmed and built villages along the riverbanks. The Nile River is the longest river in the world, about 4,000 miles long. Egyptians used the Nile River for many things. (pages 39–40)

Settling the Nile (cont.) The Nile Valley Settling the Nile (cont.) They used river water to drink, clean, farm, and cook. They ate fish from the river. The Nile valley is a narrow, green valley in Egypt. The northern end of the valley is a fertile area of land called a delta. (pages 39–40)

Settling the Nile (cont.) The Nile Valley Settling the Nile (cont.) The Sahara, the largest desert in the world, lies west of the Nile Valley. The Eastern Desert lies to the east of the valley. Egypt has several natural borders to protect it. The deserts, the dangerous rapids of the Nile, and marshes in the delta kept enemies from entering Egypt. (pages 39–40)

Settling the Nile (cont.) The Nile Valley Settling the Nile (cont.) The Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Red Sea to the east allowed trade with other peoples. Within Egypt, people traveled on the Nile to trade with each other. (pages 39–40)

The Nile Valley The River People Floods along the Nile were predictable and were not devastating. Each spring the Nile would flood and leave a dark, fertile mud along its banks. Farmers learned about the waters of the Nile. They used the soil left behind by the floods to grow wheat, barley, and flax seeds. (pages 41–42)

The River People (cont.) The Nile Valley The River People (cont.) Farmers learned about irrigation. They dug basins to trap floodwaters, dug canals to channel water to the fields, and built dikes to strengthen the basin walls. Papyrus, a reed plant that grew along the Nile, was used to make baskets, sandals, and river rafts. Later, it was used to make paper. (pages 41–42)

The River People (cont.) The Nile Valley The River People (cont.) The Egyptian system of writing was called hieroglyphics. This system consisted of thousands of picture symbols. Some Egyptian men learned to read and write. They attended schools to learn to be scribes. (pages 41–42)

The Nile Valley A United Egypt Because the people in Egypt had surplus food, some people became artisans instead of farmers. Artisans wove cloth, made pottery, carved statues, and crafted weapons and tools. Egyptians traded with each other and with others in Mesopotamia. A few strong chiefs united groups of villages into kingdoms. (pages 43–44)

The Nile Valley A United Egypt (cont.) Eventually, the strongest kingdoms overpowered the weaker ones. In this way, two large kingdoms emerged—Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt. Narmer united the two kingdoms. He ruled from the city of Memphis, and his kingdom lasted long after his death. (pages 43–44)

The Nile Valley Early Egyptian Life Ancient Egypt had social classes. The pharaoh was the highest power. The upper class consisted of nobles, priests, and government officials. The middle class included merchants, artisans, shopkeepers, and scribes. Farmers were the largest group of people and were in a lower class than the middle class. (pages 45–46)

Early Egyptian Life (cont.) The Nile Valley Early Egyptian Life (cont.) Unskilled workers were the lowest class of people in ancient Egypt. (pages 45–46)

Early Egyptian Life (cont.) The Nile Valley Early Egyptian Life (cont.) Although men were the heads of households, women had more rights in Egypt than in other ancient civilizations. They could own and pass on property, buy and sell goods, make wills, and obtain divorces. (pages 45–46)

Early Egyptian Life (cont.) The Nile Valley Early Egyptian Life (cont.) Few children went to school in ancient Egypt. Children had time to play games and had toys. Egyptian girls learned to sew, cook, and run a household. Boys learned farming or a skilled trade. (pages 45–46)

The Nile Valley Geography Skills How did the geography of the Nile River valley lead to the growth of a civilization there? The Nile River valley had natural barriers for protection, enriched soil for farming, and the river and seas for trade.

Get Ready to Read (cont.) Egypt’s Old Kingdom Get Ready to Read (cont.) Focusing on the Main Ideas Egypt was ruled by all-powerful pharaohs. The Egyptians believed in many gods and goddesses and in life after death for the pharaohs. The Egyptians of the Old Kingdom built huge stone pyramids as tombs for their pharaohs.

Old Kingdom Rulers Egypt’s Old Kingdom The Old Kingdom lasted from about 2600 B.C. until about 2300 B.C. Pharaohs were all-powerful Egyptian kings who guided every activity in Egypt. Pharaohs appointed officials to carry out their commands. Egyptian people served pharaohs because they believed the kingdom depended on one strong leader. (page 48)

Old Kingdom Rulers (cont.) Egypt’s Old Kingdom Old Kingdom Rulers (cont.) They also believed the pharaohs were the sons of Re, the sun god. The thought pharaohs were gods on earth. (page 48)

Egypt’s Religion Egypt’s Old Kingdom Egyptians believed in many gods and goddesses, or deities. These deities controlled every human activity and all natural forces. The major god was Re, the sun god. Another major god was Hapi, who ruled the Nile River. Isis was the most important goddess. (pages 49–50)

Egypt’s Religion (cont.) Egypt’s Old Kingdom Egypt’s Religion (cont.) Egyptians believed in life after death. The Book of the Dead contained a collections of spells that Egyptians believed they needed to enter the afterlife. Egyptians believed only pharaohs and a few elite people could have life after death. (pages 49–50)

Egypt’s Religion (cont.) Egypt’s Old Kingdom Egypt’s Religion (cont.) To protect the pharaoh’s body after death, Egyptians developed an embalming process. During the process, the body’s organs were removed. The body was treated with spices and oils and then wrapped with strips of linen. (pages 49–50)

Egypt’s Religion (cont.) Egypt’s Old Kingdom Egypt’s Religion (cont.) The wrapped body was called a mummy. Egyptian doctors used herbs and drugs to treat illnesses. They also set broken bones and stitched cuts. Egyptian doctors were the first doctors to specialize in different areas of medicine, and they wrote the world’s first medical book. (pages 49–50)

The Pyramids Egypt’s Old Kingdom Egyptians built pyramids to protect the bodies of dead pharaohs. The pyramids also contained items the pharaohs might need in the afterlife. A pyramid took thousands of people and years of labor to build. (pages 50–52)

The Pyramids (cont.) Egypt’s Old Kingdom Egyptians used astronomy and mathematics to create the pyramids. To build a pyramid, Egyptians first selected a site. Then, they searched for stone. The artisans cut the stone into blocks, and other workers tied the stone to sleds and pulled them to the Nile. (pages 50–52)

Egypt’s Old Kingdom The Pyramids (cont.) (pages 50–52)

The Pyramids (cont.) Egypt’s Old Kingdom The Great Pyramid is the largest pyramid in Egypt. It was built for King Khufu and is located near the city of Cairo. (pages 50–52)

Egypt’s Old Kingdom What did Egyptians learn from embalming bodies? They learned the use of herbs and drugs to treat illnesses, and how to sew up cuts and set broken bones.

Get Ready to Read (cont.) The Egyptian Empire Get Ready to Read (cont.) Focusing on the Main Ideas The Middle Kingdom was a golden age of peace, prosperity, and advances in the arts and architecture. During the New Kingdom, Egypt acquired new territory and reached the height of its power.

Get Ready to Read (cont.) The Egyptian Empire Get Ready to Read (cont.) Focusing on the Main Ideas (cont.) Akhenaton tried to change Egypt’s religion, while Tutankhamen is famous for the treasures found in his tomb. Under Ramses II, Egypt regained territory and built great temples, but the empire fell by 1150 B.C.

The Middle Kingdom The Egyptian Empire Pharaohs lost control of Egypt in about 2300 B.C. At that time, a new dynasty of pharaohs created a capital at Thebes. This began the Middle Kingdom, a time of stability, prosperity, and achievement. Egypt took control of other lands and forced conquered people to send tribute, or forced payments. (pages 60–61)

The Middle Kingdom (cont.) The Egyptian Empire The Middle Kingdom (cont.) In this way, Egypt increased its riches. During the Middle Kingdom, the arts, literature, and architecture blossomed. The Middle Kingdom ended when the Hyksos attacked and conquered Egypt. The Hyksos ruled until around 1500 B.C., when the Egyptian prince Ahmose led a revolt to drive the Hyksos out of Egypt. (pages 60–61)

The Middle Kingdom (cont.) The Egyptian Empire The Middle Kingdom (cont.) This artwork with gold inlay from the Middle Kingdom period shows a funeral boat. (pages 60–61)

The New Kingdom The Egyptian Empire During the New Kingdom period, Egypt grew richer and more powerful. Hatshepsut was one of the few women to rule Egypt. Trade grew during Hatsheput’s reign. Traders exchanged beads, tools, and weapons for ivory, wood, leopard skins, and incense. Trade made Egypt wealthier. (pages 61–62)

The New Kingdom (cont.) The Egyptian Empire Thutmose III became pharaoh after Hatshepsut’s death. Thutmose conquered more lands, and Egypt grew richer from tributes. Slavery became common in Thutmose’s reign. Slaves had some rights. They could own land, marry, and eventually obtain freedom. (pages 61–62)

The Egyptian Empire How was Hatshepsut unlike other pharaohs? She focused on trade instead of military conquests.

The Legacies of Two Pharaohs The Egyptian Empire The Legacies of Two Pharaohs Amenhotep IV came to power in 1370 B.C. Amenhotep felt priests were gaining too much power. He introduced a new religion with only one god. Priests who did not follow the new religion were removed from power. (pages 64–65)

The Legacies of Two Pharaohs (cont.) The Egyptian Empire The Legacies of Two Pharaohs (cont.) Most Egyptians refused to accept the new religion. Amenhotep became so devoted to his new religion that he neglected his other duties. He did not act when the Hittites attacked Egypt. As a result, Egypt’s empire greatly diminished. (pages 64–65)

The Legacies of Two Pharaohs (cont.) The Egyptian Empire The Legacies of Two Pharaohs (cont.) Tutankhamen, now called King Tut, was a boy ruler who took power after Akhenaton died. He ruled for only nine years before his death. In A.D. 1922, a British archaeologist found King Tut’s grave. (pages 64–65)

The End of the New Kingdom The Egyptian Empire The End of the New Kingdom Ramses II was one of the most effective pharaohs of the New Kingdom. During Ramses’s rule, many temples were built throughout Egypt. Temples were used for services. Most Egyptians prayed at home because they believed the temples were houses for the gods and goddesses. (pages 65–67)

The End of the New Kingdom (cont.) The Egyptian Empire The End of the New Kingdom (cont.) After Ramses’s rule, Egyptian rule began to decline. Egypt was attacked by neighboring groups and eventually controlled only the Nile delta. Beginning in the 900s B.C., Egypt was ruled by the Libyans, then the people of Kush, and finally the Assyrians. (pages 65–67)

The Egyptian Empire Analyze How did Akhenaton upset the traditional order? He stopped worship of old gods in favor of one god.

Get Ready to Read (cont.) The Civilization of Kush Get Ready to Read (cont.) Focusing on the Main Ideas To the south of Egypt, the Nubians settled in farming villages and became strong warriors. The people of Kush devoted themselves to ironworking and grew wealthy from trade.

Nubia The Civilization of Kush The region of Nubia, later known as Kush, was located south of Egypt on the Nile River. The first people to arrive in Nubia were cattle herders, who grazed their herds on the savanna. A savanna is a grassy plain. Later, farmers settled in villages in Nubia. (pages 69–70)

Nubia (cont.) The Civilization of Kush More powerful Nubian villages took control of weaker ones, and the kingdom of Kerma was created. People of Kerma traded with the Egyptians, and Kerma became wealthy. The kings of Kerma were buried in tombs like the Egyptian pharaohs. (pages 69–70)

The Rise of Kush The Civilization of Kush Nubians broke away from Egypt and formed their own kingdom called Kush. The Kushite kings ruled from the city of Napata, which was located along the upper Nile. This location helped the Kush people become important traders, and Kush grew wealthy. (pages 70–72)

Section 1: The Nile Valley Ancient Egypt Section 1: The Nile Valley Focusing on the Main Ideas By 5000 B.C., Egyptian civilization arose in the fertile Nile River valley, where natural barriers discouraged invasions. The Egyptians depended on the Nile’s floods to grow their crops. Around 3100 B.C., Egypt’s two major kingdoms, Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt, were combined into one. Egyptian society was divided into social groups based on wealth and power.

Section 2: Egypt’s Old Kingdom Ancient Egypt Section 2: Egypt’s Old Kingdom Focusing on the Main Ideas Egypt was ruled by all-powerful pharaohs. The Egyptians believed in many gods and goddesses and in life after death for the pharaohs. The Egyptians of the Old Kingdom built huge stone pyramids as tombs for their pharaohs.

Section 3: The Egyptian Empire Ancient Egypt Section 3: The Egyptian Empire Focusing on the Main Ideas The Middle Kingdom was a golden age of peace, prosperity, and advances in the arts and architecture. During the New Kingdom, Egypt acquired new territory and reached the height of its power.

Section 3: The Egyptian Empire Ancient Egypt Section 3: The Egyptian Empire Focusing on the Main Ideas Akhenaton tried to change Egypt’s religion, while Tutankhamen is famous for the treasures found in his tomb. Under Ramses II, Egypt regained territory and built great temples, but the empire fell by 1150 B.C.

Section 4: The Civilization of Kush Ancient Egypt Section 4: The Civilization of Kush Focusing on the Main Ideas To the south of Egypt, the Nubians settled in farming villages and became strong warriors. The people of Kush devoted themselves to ironworking and grew wealthy from trade.

Ancient Egypt Review Vocabulary Define Match the vocabulary word that completes each sentence. __ 1. area of fertile soil at the end of a river __ 2. reed plant used to make baskets, rafts, and paper __ 3. grassy plain __ 4. rapids __ 5. Egyptian writing system __ 6. forced payments __ 7. title for Egyptian leaders D A. savanna B. tribute C. cataract D. delta hieroglyphics pharaoh papyrus G A C E B F

Ancient Egypt Review Main Ideas Section 1 The Nile Valley What natural barriers protected Egypt from invasion? deserts, cataracts in the Nile, and delta marshes

Ancient Egypt Review Main Ideas Section 3 The Egyptian Empire Why was the Middle Kingdom called a golden age? It was a time of prosperity, the empire was strong, and advances were made in the arts and architecture.

Ancient Egypt Review Main Ideas Section 3 The Egyptian Empire Why are Akhenaton and Tutankhamen well-known? Akhenaton tried to change Egypt’s religion. Tutankhamen’s tomb was found with many treasures.

Ancient Egypt Analyze Do you agree that Egyptian civilization can be called “the Gift of the Nile”? Explain. Answers will vary, but you should note how much Egyptians relied on the Nile.

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