Ancient Egyptian Civilization Social Studies

The Big Picture  Not only was Egypt growing, other civilizations were also growing.  Nubia (to the south) was thriving due to gold mines and trade networks.

New Rulers  The Middle Kingdom  Contact with the rest of the world increased  The pharaoh’s armies conquered kingdoms in Nubia.  Egyptian traders increased their businesses with cities in Western Asia  People began moving.

Hyksos  Group of people from Asia that came to live in the delta region of Egypt.  They were powerful enough to challenge the pharaoh.  100 years- ruled Lower Egypt  Used horses, chariots, strong bronze weapons, and bows and arrows to defeat armies  Egyptian leaders at Thebes continued to control Upper Egypt

Learning from their mistakes…..  Even though Egyptians were defeated by the Hyksos, they learned from this war.  1550 B.C. Egypt rallied behind Pharaoh Ahmose.  With weapons and chariots copied from Hyksos, Egyptians took back the delta.  Defeat began the New Kingdom.  Set out to have the strongest military in this part of the world.

Expansion and Trade  Egypt becomes an EMPIRE  Group of lands and people ruled by one government  Nile was still important, but not the only source for the economy  Egypt had valuable resources from conquered lands

New Kingdom Traders  Ships loaded with jewelry, linen cloth, and papyrus sailed to what is today Lebanon and Syria.  Ships returned carrying silver, timber, and wine  Remains of oil jars and paintings from what is today Greece have been found in Lower Egypt.

KUSH  KUSH- conquered by Egypt with Nubia  Very wealthy and controlled rich trade routes to other African kingdoms  Traded ebony, leopard skins, and elephant ivory  Also owned reserves of gold, copper, and precious stones

Hatshepsut  One of the few female pharaohs  Princess and wife of a pharaoh  When husband died, young stepson was to become pharaoh. However, Hatshepsut proclaimed the 10 year ols was too young!  She became his co-ruler.

Hatshepsut’s Trading Journey  8 years into her reign  Organized the biggest trading expedition ever  Expedition-Group of people who go on a trip for a specific reason  Goal was to trade with Punt

Story of the Journey  Scribes, soldiers, artists, and attendants set off east to the Red Sea. From here, five ships journeyed south.  The ships were welcomed by the king and queen of Punt.  Egypt traded jewelry, papyrus, and bronze weapons for gold, perfume, ivory, leopard skins, incense trees, and live apes

The Journey Home  Scribes recorded exact number of goods loaded onto each ship.  WHY?  Several leaders from Punt joined the Egyptians on the journey.  Expedition lasted two years.

Moving Ideas  Medicine  Egyptian doctors were actually priests who learned skills in temple schools  For thousands of years, priests had noted different illnesses and injuries and what worked best for treatment.  These became the first medical textbooks!

Math and Science  Egyptians knew a lot about Math!  Used Math to understand the stars  Astronomy

Sum It UP  Egypt has grown in to a rich and powerful empire!!!  How did the people in this area live and how long will this empire last?  WE WILL SEE!