1. Ancient Middle East and Egypt
Section 3: Kingdom of the Nile
Witness History Audio: The Gift of the Nile
Geography Helps Shape Egypt
Farming villages grew up around the Nile, which brought rich sediment when it overflowed its banks. Egyptian rulers used the Nile to link Upper and Lower Egypt. The river also served as a trade route.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “What is the tone of the hymn?” (joyous, thankful) “What does the phrase ‘[the Nile] shines’ refer to?” (the Nile’s being full of water and flooding the land to enrich the soil)
When showing Color Transparency 9, use the lesson suggested in the transparency book to guide discussion.
Note Taking Transparency 54
Witness History Video: The Nile: Where Egypt Began
1 of 6

2. Ancient Middle East and Egypt
Section 3: Kingdom of the Nile
The Old Kingdom Forms
From 2575 B.C. to 2130 B.C., the Old Kingdom was ruled by a centralized state with the help of a bureaucracy. During this time, Egyptians also built the Great Pyramids to house tombs for pharaohs.
The Turbulent Middle Kingdom
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “What is the tone of the hymn?” (joyous, thankful) “What does the phrase ‘[the Nile] shines’ refer to?” (the Nile’s being full of water and flooding the land to enrich the soil)
When showing Color Transparency 9, use the lesson suggested in the transparency book to guide discussion.
During the Middle Kingdom, from 1938 B.C. to 1630 B.C., Egypt occupied part of Nubia, but corruption and rebellions were common. About 1700 B.C. the Hyksos people took control of Egypt.
Color Transparency 9: The Great Pyramids of Giza
2 of 6

3. Ancient Middle East and Egypt
Section 3: Kingdom of the Nile
New Kingdom Egypt Grows Strong
The New Kingdom lasted from 1539 B.C. to 1075 B.C. and was an age of expansion into Southwestern Asia. After years of fighting the Hittites, Egypt signed the first known peace treaty, which brought the battles to an end.
Geography Interactive: New Kingdom, 1450 B.C.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “What is the tone of the hymn?” (joyous, thankful) “What does the phrase ‘[the Nile] shines’ refer to?” (the Nile’s being full of water and flooding the land to enrich the soil)
When showing Color Transparency 9, use the lesson suggested in the transparency book to guide discussion.
QuickTake Section Quiz
Progress Monitoring Transparency
3 of 6

4. Ancient Middle East and Egypt: Section 3
Note Taking Transparency 54
4 of 6

5. Ancient Middle East and Egypt: Section 3
Color Transparency 9: The Great Pyramids of Giza
5 of 6

6. Ancient Middle East and Egypt: Section 3
Progress Monitoring Transparency
6 of 6