Chapter 2I. Ancient Egyption Civilization

A. Old Kingdom (2700 B.C. – 2200 B.C.)

1. Pharaohs organize strong government.

2. Egyptians believe pharaoh is a god.

3. Old Kingdom also known as Pyramid Age.

4. Collapsed due to power struggles, crop failures, pyramid costs.

B. Middle Kingdom

1. Egyptians suffer food shortages. (Nile issues)

2. People rebel due to corruption.

3. Pharaohs drain land for farming which worked very well!!

4. Hyksos conquer Egypt.

C. New Kingdom

1. Powerful Pharaohs build large empire

2. Queen Hatshepsut becomes Pharoh; encourages trade.

3. Ramses II conquers Palestine and Syria.

Egypt’s geography

There were mountains, desserts, a river, and access to the Mediterranean Sea.

II. Egyptian Civilization

A. Geography 1. . There were deserts to the east and

west of the Nile River. 2. Mountains to the south.

3. Nile▪A. World's longest river.▪B. Water would run off the mountains and the Nile would flood.▪C. flood waters receded, black rich fertile soil was left behind (Gift of the Nile)

D. Water for drinking and bathing. E. Supported transportation and trade. F. Provided materials for building, making clothes, and making paper (papyrus)

B. Life1. Egyptians practiced polytheism. The belief in many Gods.

2. They prepared their dead for the afterlife through mummification

3. They believed their Pharohs were both god and king.

4. Made advance in learning and medicine:

a. skilled at observing symptoms, diagnosing illnesses, and finding cures.

b. Perform surgery.

c. Medicines still used today: Anise, caster beans, saffron.

d. developed a calendar, 12 months, 30 days and 5 days added on at the end of each year.

e. created picture writing and sculptures of animals

5. Written Records – Hieroglyphics.

a. French discovered how to interpret this early 1800’s when they discovered the Rosetta Stone in Egypt.