Ancient Egypt Part 2

Rosetta Stone

• Ancient Egyptian Artifact (196

BC)

• Helped modern people understand hieroglyphics

• Discovered by the French in 1799 in Rosetta, Egypt

• Translated in the 1800s

• Currently in the British Museum

A United Egypt

1. Because the people in Egypt had plenty of food, some people became artisans instead of farmers. Remember, artisans made stuff such as pottery, weapons, and tools.

2. Egyptians traded with each other and with others in Mesopotamia.

3. A few strong chiefs united groups of villages into kingdoms. Eventually, the strongest kingdoms overpowered the weaker ones.

4. As a result, two large kingdoms emerged—Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt.

5. Lower Egypt was located around the mouth of the Nile River, near the Mediterranean Sea. The king wore a Red Crown.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ancient_Egypt_main_map.png

6. Upper Egypt was located near the mountains to the South. Their king wore a White Crown.

7. These two kingdoms had much in common. They spoke the same language. They worshipped the same gods. They had the same culture. But, they did not get along. They were always fighting.

8. Around 3000 BC, King Menes (also known as King Narmer) ruled Upper Egypt. He conquered Lower Egypt. These two groups continued to fight.

One day, King Menes had an idea. If the color of a crown was so important, why not invent a new crown?! His idea worked. Both Lower and Upper Egypt respected the Double Crown that was red and white. They called their land "The Two Lands".  Over time, The Two Lands became known as Egypt.

9. King Menes (Narmer) united the two kingdoms. He ruled from the city of Memphis, and his kingdom lasted long after his death. Narmer’s descendants passed the ruling power on from father to son to grandson, forming a dynasty.

Early Egyptian Life(Read pages 45, 46)

1. Ancient Egypt had social classes. The pharaoh was the highest power.

2. The upper class consisted of nobles, priests, and government officials. The middle class included merchants, artisans, shopkeepers, and scribes. Farmers were the largest group of people and were considered the next to lowest class.

3. The absolute lowest class of people in Egypt consisted of unskilled workers.

(Turn to page 45 for more details)

4. Although men were the heads of households, women had more rights in Egypt than in other ancient civilizations. They could own and pass on property, buy and sell goods, make wills, and get divorces.

5. Few children went to school in ancient Egypt. Children had time to play games and had toys.

6. Egyptian girls learned to sew, cook, and run a household. Boys learned farming or a skilled trade.