1. BELLWORK: 8/29 Monarchy Dynasty Bureaucracy Empire
For today’s bellwork, you will define important vocabulary words that relate to the development of early civilizations. All of these terms will be important in today’s study of Ancient Egypt so make sure you understand!
Monarchy
Dynasty
Bureaucracy
Empire
THINKER: In your opinion, what was the greatest achievement of Mesopotamia?

3. Ancient Egypt
As early as 5000 B.C., people settled around the Nile River.
With its fertile soil and natural barriers to invasion, Egypt developed a strong civilization
As time progressed, Egyptians created their own governments, empires, culture, and history.

4. The NILE RIVER , the longest river in the world (4,132 miles), flows north from the heart of Africa to the Mediterranean Sea. Its flood plain was a magnet for life -- human, plant and animal. Humans were drawn there because they could grow crops and settle into permanent villages.

5. TRANSPORTATION: The Nile River was the highway that joined the country together. Up until the nineteenth century, travel by land was virtually unknown.

6. For centuries, THE NILE RIVER FLOODED THE VALLEY, covering the land with a thick layer of fertile soil. Flooding occurred from July to September and marked the change of seasons. The Egyptians saw this as a blessing and it is still celebrated in Egypt today!

7. Bounded on the south, east and west by an impenetrable desert, and on the north by the sea, ANCIENT EGYPT was protected from outside influences, which allowed it to evolve in its own unique way.

8. Ancient Egypt
You will now read more specifically about the advances of Ancient Egypt. (Nile River Valley)
While reading, you will complete “mind map” notes!
A mind map, or note web, is a strategy used to organize notes in a visual way.
Pages 26-30

9. closure
Look at the timeline on Pages 24&25 and answer the following questions:
When did the Phoenicians begin trading with Egypt?
Which civilization developed first in meso America, the Olmec or the zapotec?
When and where di Sanskrit writing develop?
When was the great pyramid at giza constructed?
Which Chinese dynasty collapsed in b.c?
When were the kingdoms of Israel and Judah established?