The First Civilizations Chapter 2 sec. 1 The First Civilizations

Ancient Nile Kingdoms Many parts of the world contributed to the Nile Civilization Hunting and Gathering 12,000 years ago/10,000 B.C.E. Plants cultivated in the Nile Barley Wheat Cotton

Nile Crops

Physical Setting Modern Egypt quite different from ancient Egypt Today occasional green oasis but mostly desert 12,000 years ago/10,000 B.C.E. covered by swamp land Hippos, crocs & many animals indigenous to Africa

Two Sections of the Nile White Nile- Longest river in the world Begins Lake Victoria Ends Mediterranean Sea Blue Nile- Begins Lake Tana in Ethiopia

Nile Valley people stretched out for 750 miles

Herodotus Greek historian who said “Egypt is the gift of the Nile”

Egyptian Horticulture Farmers/workers Planned work around food Harvest crops before flood begins Wait for water to soak the ground Ground dries leaves fertile soil for next crop

Egyptian Technology Sailing made it possible for Egyptians to travel upstream Deposits of granite, sandstone, and limestone were used for building materials

Hieroglyphics Ancient Egyptian writing Rosetta Stone Translation of Egyptian Hieroglyphics Discovered by Napoleon Bonaparte’s French officer in 1798 A.D. 23 years later Jean Francois Champollion deciphered it

Two Kingdoms of Egypt Unite Into One Monarchy- Kingdom headed by one ruler (Both Upper and Lower Egypt were Monarchies) Menes, king of upper Egypt unites them(3200 B.C.) Successors crush rebellions, gain new territories, regulate irrigation, and encouraged trade

Birth of the Pharaohs Pharaoh= Means “Great House” -Led the government, served as judges, high priest, and generals of the armies Absolute/Unlimited Power -Still had a duty to protect and care for the people

Dynasty Menes Founded the first dynasty or family of rulers 2 ways to end dynasty/family rule -family is driven from power -When there is no family member left to inherit rule Dynasties in Egypt lasted 2,500 years From Menes to 300 B.C.

Three Kingdoms These are dates in time for Egyptians Old Kingdom from 2650 to 2180 B.C Middle Kingdom Started 2040 B.C New Kingdom 1570 B.C. till 1100 B.C.

Old Kingdom Contributed to many scientific and artistic developments. (Built the Largest Pyramids)

Middle Kingdom Started out under strong Rule. Hyksos took control early Hyksos= Asiatic group took over 1650 B.C. -Hyksos overwhelmed the Egyptian army with horse drawn chariots. - Ruled for over 100 years

New Kingdom Egyptian Pharaohs reclaim the throne Good Pharaohs through Ramses II Adopted horse drawn chariots from Hyksos people -Extended Egyptian territory and creating an empire

Hatshepsut First woman ruler Reigned from 1503-1482 B.C. Very successful ruler Married Thutmose II (Half Brother) Because thought of as gods Pharaohs usually married a sister or brother/ half sister or brother

Ramses II AKA Ramses the Great Perhaps the most powerful Egyptian pharaoh Brought Egypt to its peak Conquered many regions & defended against many invading tribes (especially the Hittites) Constructed many great monuments and temples Reigned 1279-1213 B.C.

Egyptian Quiz What allowed the Egyptian people to grow two to three crops a year? What continent is the Nile in? Who was the first Egyptian Pharaoh to unite the upper and lower Egyptian kingdoms? Name the first and very successful woman ruler of Egypt. Name the Egyptian Pharaoh that was probably the last very successful ruler of Egypt.