History of Ancient Egypt

Hieroglyphics Ancient Egyptian writing Contained more than 2,000 symbols Written in columns or rows Reading direction was determined by the direction the animals in the symbols faced

Religion Over 700 gods and goddess Two main categories Household gods Local, state, or national gods Common people worshiped mainly local or household gods People also worshiped gods of their occupation Name God of: Amun Air, war, fertility Bes Marriage, dancing Hathor Love, birth, death, music, pleasure Horus Sky & falcon god Khnum Cataract region Osiris Underworld, inundation, vegetation Ptah Creation, craftsmen Ra (Re) Sun, Supreme Judge Thoth Scribes, wisdom

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Great Pyramid at Giza Largest pyramid ever built Stone blocks weighed an average of 2.5 tons Contains approx. 2,300,000 stones Built for king Khufu around 2500 B.C.

Theories of Pyramid Construction Many theories exist Ramps built on inclined planes that were increased in length and width as the pyramid grew Step pyramid built first Pyramids in the 12th and 13th dynasties were built differently

Pharaohs Name Known for/as Death Akhenaten “The Heretic Pharaoh” Ruled 18 years, mummy never found Amenhotep III Period of peace and abundance Ruled 39 years, tomb located in Valley of Kings, mummy believed to be in royal cache Cleopatra Boosted economy, last pharaoh to rule Egypt Killed herself by allowing snake to bite her Hatshepsut Only female to erect the most monuments during rule Ruled for 15 years, tomb and mummy never found

Pharaohs Continued Name Known for/as Death Khufu Great Pyramid of Egypt Ruled approximately 23 years, mummy never found King Tut Young pharaoh, given throne around age 8 Ruled 10 years, tomb located in Valley of Kings, tomb was almost intact when discovered Ramses II Expansion and building of many structures Ruled 67 years, tomb located in Valley of Kings, mummy has been found Snefru Superior military management, advanced economy Ruled estimated 24 years, pyramid at Madium failed, Bent Pyramid in Dahshur

Mummification Body was link to spiritual existence in afterlife Old Kingdom, process reserved for pharaohs and top advisors Middle and New Kingdom, extended to general population Dry, hot climate caused natural mummification for poor Process lasted over 2 months 3 main people involved: Scribe Cutter Embalmer

Priests Role was to care for needs of gods and goddesses New priests chosen by Pharaoh Pharaoh had power to transfer and promote priests Requirements while priests were on duty: Wear only linens or clothing made from plants Shave heads and bodies daily Take cold baths several times daily Practice sexual abstinence

Temples Cultus Temples Mortuary Temples Dedicated to worship of specific god 2 types of ceremonies to gods: Daily ceremony giving offering and providing for needs of gods Special festivals, only time ordinary people allowed to participate Built to honor deceased pharaoh and worship them as a god Temple of Ramses II at Thebes is an example

Women Regarded as equal to men according to law Allowed to: Own property Borrow money Sign contracts Initiate divorce Unable to become pharaoh except due to very special circumstances Head of household were primarily men

Education Boys Girls Learned from father Supplemented by training in given field Apprenticeship to master in trade (usually father for scribes) Taught by mother No other formal schooling

Social Pyramid

Timeline Intermediate Period 2184 B.C. 3rd Intermediate Period 1070 B.C. 2nd Intermediate Period 1782 B.C. Graco-Roman Period 33 B.C. The Early Dynasty 3100 - 30 B.C. New Kingdom 1570 B.C. Old Kingdom 2700 B.C. Middle Kingdom 2040 B.C. Late Period 525 B.C.

Websites Used http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/36/42/22184236.jpg http://www.greatscott.com/hiero/index.html http://historylink101.net/egypt_1/gods_introduction.htm http://pharaoh.heavengames.com/pics/historyscans/greatpyramidinside.jpg http://homepage.powerup.com.au/~ancient/pyra1.htm http://interoz.com/egypt/construction/construc.htm http://www.kingtutone.com/pharaohs/ http://historylink101.net/egypt_1/religion_role_of_priest.htm http://historylink101.net/egypt_1/religion_mumification.htm http://historylink101.net/images/egyptian-mummy.jpg http://historylink101.net/egypt_1/religion_temples.htm http://www.galen-frysinger.ws/egypt/komombo03.jpg http://www.womenintheancientworld.com/women_in_ancient_egypt.htm http://www.touregypt.net/historicalessays/lifeinEgypt7.htm http://www.crystalinks.com/socialpyramid.gif http://library.thinkquest.org/5751/images/timeline.gif

History of Ancient Egypt