Quest for Immortality

The Nile River River was seen as divine or like a god. The Nile was the key to life. Gifts of the Nile Floods give fertile soil Means of travel using boats 365 day calendar was developed to predict floods River was seen as divine or like a god. The Nile was the key to life. Gifts of the Nile Floods give fertile soil Means of travel using boats 365 day calendar was developed to predict floods

Early Egyptian Civilization When? Started around 6,000 BCE Unification - Lower and Upper Egypt are united by the Pharaoh Menes around 3100 BCE First capital city is named Memphis When? Started around 6,000 BCE Unification - Lower and Upper Egypt are united by the Pharaoh Menes around 3100 BCE First capital city is named Memphis

Hieroglyphics Picture writing No vowels were used No one knows how ancient Egyptian was spoken The Rosetta Stone allows translations It was found by accident

Early Egyptian Society Villages were united into nomes by the Pharaohs Nomes - agricultural districts Government could keep track of crop yields and collect taxes easier Villages were united into nomes by the Pharaohs Nomes - agricultural districts Government could keep track of crop yields and collect taxes easier

The Pharaohs Seen as living gods by the Egyptian people They ruled as god-kings Commoners never revolt against the Pharaohs The Pharaohs believed they would be immortal It was a quest for immortality Seen as living gods by the Egyptian people They ruled as god-kings Commoners never revolt against the Pharaohs The Pharaohs believed they would be immortal It was a quest for immortality

The Pharaohs Their goal was to preserve their ka or eternal spirit Mummies were used to preserve the body It was believed that the spirit would return to the body from time to time Pyramids were created to leave a timeless legacy of the Pharaohs Their goal was to preserve their ka or eternal spirit Mummies were used to preserve the body It was believed that the spirit would return to the body from time to time Pyramids were created to leave a timeless legacy of the Pharaohs

Dynasty Power passed through the family and usually from father to son There were 31 dynasties in 2800 years Dynastic Cycle - the rise and fall of power Power passed through the family and usually from father to son There were 31 dynasties in 2800 years Dynastic Cycle - the rise and fall of power

Kingdoms of Egypt Old Kingdom ( BCE) Known as the “ Age of the Pyramids ” Pharaonic power declines The empire becomes weak and declines Middle Kingdom ( BCE) Pharaoh Amenemhet rebuilds the empire Built great libraries and expanded trade Old Kingdom ( BCE) Known as the “ Age of the Pyramids ” Pharaonic power declines The empire becomes weak and declines Middle Kingdom ( BCE) Pharaoh Amenemhet rebuilds the empire Built great libraries and expanded trade

Kingdoms of Egypt New Kingdom ( BCE) Great building projects - Temples Egyptian creates a professional army Hatshepsut was the first female Pharaoh She greatly expanded trade and avoided war The Egyptian empire expands to its greatest extent under Thutmose Egypt invaded again and never recovers The fall of Egypt officially happens in 31 BCE New Kingdom ( BCE) Great building projects - Temples Egyptian creates a professional army Hatshepsut was the first female Pharaoh She greatly expanded trade and avoided war The Egyptian empire expands to its greatest extent under Thutmose Egypt invaded again and never recovers The fall of Egypt officially happens in 31 BCE

Egyptian Way of Life Nobles Led a life of luxury Women have rights Social mobility was possible How? Working for the government as scribes, priests, and tax collectors. Nobles Led a life of luxury Women have rights Social mobility was possible How? Working for the government as scribes, priests, and tax collectors.

Egyptian Way of Life Peasants Constant work using physical labor Few comforts in their homes Live on bread and beer Most could not read or write hieroglyphics Farmers, Builders, Artisans, Soldiers Peasants Constant work using physical labor Few comforts in their homes Live on bread and beer Most could not read or write hieroglyphics Farmers, Builders, Artisans, Soldiers

Egyptian Way of Life Slaves Most were war captives Strong abuse and cruelty by their masters Slaves working in the mines were treated the worst However, treatment did vary and some were able to earn their freedom through work or having an education Slaves Most were war captives Strong abuse and cruelty by their masters Slaves working in the mines were treated the worst However, treatment did vary and some were able to earn their freedom through work or having an education

Egyptian Religion Egyptians were polytheistic Polytheism - the belief in many gods There were many male and female deities Aman or Amun Ra or Re was the Supreme God Powerful priest class controlled the religion Priests had great wealth, power and status Egyptians were polytheistic Polytheism - the belief in many gods There were many male and female deities Aman or Amun Ra or Re was the Supreme God Powerful priest class controlled the religion Priests had great wealth, power and status

Egyptian Religion The Book of the Dead is world ’ s oldest religious writing Egyptians believed in a Time of Judgment Egyptian Temples marked celestial events such as lunar or solar eclipses The Book of the Dead is world ’ s oldest religious writing Egyptians believed in a Time of Judgment Egyptian Temples marked celestial events such as lunar or solar eclipses