Africa

Ancient Egypt 3000 B.C.

Compare/contrast the geography of Egypt with Sumer. The Nile is the world’s longest river (4160 miles) and provides the people of Egypt with predictable yearly floods to bring them water (Egypt receives almost no rainfall). Egypt’s geography also protected the people from foreign invasion with deserts & cataracts. Egypt & Geography Compare/contrast the geography of Egypt with Sumer.

Locate Upper and Lower Egypt on your map. Around 3000 B.C., Narmer united Upper & Lower Egypt and set-up the first government that ruled the whole country from the capital city of Memphis. His reign marked the beginning of the first Egyptian dynasty. The Egyptian form of government was a theocracy. Therefore, the king not only had absolute power, but performed many ritual acts as well. Egyptian Government Locate Upper and Lower Egypt on your map.

How were experts able to decipher hieroglyphics? Hieroglyphs are pictures that were used to write the ancient Egyptian language. In the beginning hieroglyphic signs were used to keep records of the king's possessions. Scribes could easily make these records by drawing a picture of a cow or a boat followed by a number. But as the language became more complex more pictures were needed. Eventually the language consisted of more then 750 individual signs. Egyptian Writing How were experts able to decipher hieroglyphics?

Egyptian Social Classes Royalty, nobles and priests formed the top of the social order. They controlled religious and political affairs. The middle class was made up of artisans, scribes, merchants and tax collectors. The majority of Egyptians belonged to the poor class. Many were farmers & paid rent to the king for the use of the land (a large percentage). Farmers also worked on building projects for the king. Egyptian Social Classes Draw a graphic of the Egyptian social classes.

Ra (the principal sun god) Religion guided every aspect of Egyptian life. Egyptian religion was based on polytheism, except for during the reign of Akenaton. The Egyptians had as many as 2000 gods and goddesses. Some, such as Amun, were worshipped throughout the whole country, while others had only a local following. Often gods and goddesses were represented as part human and part animal. Egyptian Religion Ra (the principal sun god) Who was Akenaton?

Refer to the handout on the pyramids.

Nubia / Kush (3000 BC – AD 350) Southern part of the Nile River Valley Early Africa January , 2007 Southern part of the Nile River Valley Interaction with Egypt Under Egyptian rule (c. 1500 BC – 1000 BC) Cultural diffusion: Egyptian gods found on Nubian gold King Piankhi – 724 BC invaded & conquered Egypt Pushed out of Egypt by Assyrians in 671 BC (bronze v. iron weapons) New capital at Meroë – successful trading center (gold, ivory, animal skins, perfume, slaves & timber) Nubian culture: polytheistic, artistic & an undeciphered alphabet Invaded by King Ezana of Axum AD 350 Ms. Ventuleth

Bantu Migrations

Critical Thinking Questions Which African kingdom did geography have the greatest impact on? How did the Book of the Dead reflect Egyptian values? Choose an African Kingdom & show how it’s art/architecture reflected the values of the kingdom. How did the movement of goods & people affect the different areas of Africa (Northeast & sub-Saharan)?