Egyptian Culture

Gods and Goddesses Osiris – God of Nile / Underworld Isis – Love story / Creation with Isis Amon-Re – Chief God The Sun God Pharaoh linked to Amon-Re

Mummification Process Preserved the ba (spirit) and ka (body) Skilled workers labored for 70 days Removed vital body organs – stored in canopic jars (heart remains) Body then embalmed and wrapped Pharaohs / officials buried in tombs People buried in the sand

Mummification

Canopic Jars

Egyptian Writing: Hieroglyphics Form of picture writing Initially carved in stone or clay Rosetta Stone – flat black stone with message in Hieroglyphics, Demotic, Greek

Demotic and Papyrus Simpler form of writing – 2500 BCE Everyday use in Egypt Use of writing in Egypt Papyrus Plant found along Nile River banks Wrote on this paper material

Papyrus

Social Structure Pharaoh – Human God Royal Family – Queen Mother in charge / includes wives and children Officials – upper class lifestyle Title Office Holders – court life Middle Classes – landowners, artisans, scribes Peasants – small pay and long work days Slaves – few in Egypt / from military victories

Society Clothing, jewelry, and perfumes popular with men and women Wives = Equal Status to Husbands Divorce Legal and Women get 1/3 Encouraged close kin marriages (especially upper class)