Ancient Kingdoms of the Nile

Objectives Summarize how geography affected the development of Egyptian culture Explain the importance of pharaohs, pyramids, and trade in the Old Kingdom Describe ancient Egyptian religion, social structure, and technology Explain the shift from the Old Kingdom to the New Kingdom

Gift of the Nile 4,100 miles long, longest river in the world Flows northwards (towards Mediterranean Sea) Yearly flooding Receding of Nile leaves rich organic mud Cycle: flood, plant, harvest, repeat Stark contrast between Nile Delta and the desert of Egypt Worshipped by Egyptians as a God

Upper and Lower Egypt Upper Egypt was from the 1 st cataract to within 100 miles from the Mediterranean. Lower Egypt covered the delta -broad, marshy area - agriculturally rich - diverse animals Nile offered transportation –Water highway

Environmental Challenges Nile ran like clockwork unlike in Mesopotamia –Still sometimes had flooding –Sometimes too low, not enough silt Natural Barriers –Vast deserts on both sides of Nile –Forced people to live close to the Nile –Also protected from invaders

Movement of Goods and Ideas 3200 B.C.E.- making contact with Mesopotamia 2000 B.C.E.- traveling down Nile to trade with Kush and Nubia Cultural Diffusion –Borrowed development of cities –Writing system Distinct Culture –Combination of Mesopotamia and other African influences

Uniting of Egypt Myth –King of Lower Egypt wore red crown, King of Upper Egypt wore white crown –3100 B.C.E. King Menes united Egypt Wore a double crown of red and white, symbolic Capital at Memphis, near where Upper and Lower Egypt meet 1 st Egyptian Dynasty 31 dynasties over 2,600 years!

Old Kingdom Third Dynasty –Little info on first two dynasties Third dynasty called Old Kingdom B.C.E Pharaohs - divine rule, absolute power - were considered Gods - controlled government, religion and army * massive public works projects - pharaohs controlled well-being of civilization - Vizier, to supervise government

Pyramids Belief that King ruled even after death King’s eternal spirit (ka) needed special resting place Old Kingdom height of pyramid building Tombs for eternity, Preserved body for afterlife No iron tools or wheels used Suggest strength of civilization Required a lot of planning

Egyptian Culture Religion –Polytheistic –Important gods: Ra (sun), Horus (light), Isis (ideal mother and wife) –Over 2,000 gods and goddesses –Belief in afterlife Judged for deeds Heart had to be lighter than a feather If not eaten by a beast, if passed could live in Other World Practiced mummification Book of the Dead- guided soul to afterlife

Egyptian Culture Society –Social hierarchy Royal Family Gov’t Officials, Priest, wealthy landowners Merhcants/artisans Peasant farmers/ unskilled laborers –Could change status through marriage –Women Same rights as men Own and trade property Propose marriage or divorce Writing –Hieroglyphics Picture represented idea Invented papyrus to write on

Science and Technology Inventions –Written numbers for counting, adding, and subtracting –Geometry –1 st to use stone columns –Calendar 1 st to use 365 days and 12 months Medicine –Used practical knowledge Checked pulse for heartbeat Splinted broken bones Used surgery

Middle Kingdom End of Old Kingdom around 2180 B.C.E –Old kingdom fails due to: Power struggles, Crop Failures, Cost of Pyramids Bad floods Middle Kingdom B.C.E –Improved trade and transportation Expansion: Nubia, Palestine, Syria –Cultural Golden Age Especially in Literature –More wealth = more public projects –Cycle of good floods Middle Kingdom plagued with: High floods corruption, rebellion Catastrophe : foreign invaders –Chariot riders = Hyksos –Control Egypt from B.C.E.

Revisit Objectives Summarize how geography affected the development of Egyptian culture Explain the importance of pharaohs, pyramids, and trade in the Old Kingdom Describe ancient Egyptian religion, social structure, and technology Explain the shift from the Old Kingdom to the New Kingdom

Homework: Begin work on Essay #1 –Due October 1 st / 4 th Continue reading Siddhartha and complete packet #1 questions –Due October 5 th / 6 th –Siddhartha Quiz same day!