1. Ch. 4 Ancient Egypt and Kush

2. Section 1: Geography and Ancient Egypt
Nile played a vital role.
Divided Ancient Egypt into two regions:
Lower Egypt
Upper Egypt
Cataracts – strong rapids
Delta – a triangle-shaped area of land made of soil deposited by a river

4. Development of Civilization
Civilization developed here more than 12,000 years ago.
Advantages of the Nile River valley:
Flooding brought deposits of silt
Irrigation and canals moved water
Natural barriers provided protection

5. Unifying Egypt Menes - wanted to unite Upper and Lower Egypt
Became Egypt’s 1st pharaoh – title used by the rulers of Egypt.
Built a dynasty - series of rulers from the same family.
Establish Memphis as the capital.

6. Section 2: The Old Kingdom
Period of Egyptian history that lasted from about to 2200 B.C.
Pharaoh was both a king and god.
Most famous was Khufu.

7. Social Structure

8. Religion and Egyptian Life
Practice polytheism.
Afterlife – life after death.
Burial practices:
Embalming – removal of vital organs
Mummies – specially treated bodies wrapped in cloth
Elite (people of wealth and power) were mummified.

11. The Pyramids Royal tombs
Pyramids – huge stone tombs with four triangle- shaped walls that met in a point on top.
Great Pyramid of Khufu
481 feet tall
2 million limestone blocks
Engineering – the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.

13. Section 3: The Middle and New Kingdom
Middle Kingdom – period of order and stability that lasted until about 1750 BC.
Hyksos invade and conquer Lower Egypt
Eventually driven out.
New Kingdom – period during which Egypt reached the height of its power and glory
Built an empire.

14. As empire grew, so did trade Trade routes – paths followed by traders
Helped increase the power of the pharaoh
Society became complex
People took on different jobs
Scribes
Artisans, Artists, and Architects
Soldiers
Farmers
Slaves

15. Family Life Men – marry young, start a family
Women – take care of home and family
Did have rights – own property, make contracts, divorce their husband.
Both boys and girls were given an education
Boys, at the age of 14, left school to enter their father’s profession.

16. Egyptian Achievements
Hieroglyphics – Egyptian writing system
600 symbols
Papyrus – a long lasting, paper-like material made from reeds
Rosetta Stone – a stone slab inscribed with hieroglyphics