Ancient Egypt

The Gift of the Nile

The Nile River

Brought life to Egypt Bi-annual flooding deposited large

amounts of silt. Without the flooding of the Nile, farming

in Egypt would not be possible.

Civilization begins

Nomadic

Farming

Villages

Civilization begins…

Used irrigation to control the river’s flow Nile delta – large area of rich soil Grew variety of crops

– Barley, wheat, vegetables, fruit Nile provided water and food

– Fresh water, geese, duck, fish

Natural barriers

Mediterranean and Red Seas Deserts Cataracts

Egypt Unites

Egypt originally two parts: Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt

Menes unites two parts by marriage to Lower Egypt princess

Menes becomes 1st pharaoh and creates 1st dynasty

Bellwork: Quiz Chapter 4.1&21. In which direction does the Nile River flow?

2. What physical feature is to the east and west of Egypt?

3. What is the Gift of the Nile?

4. Who is the most important person in Egypt?

5. The most fertile soil in Egypt can be found in the _________, where the Nile meets the Mediterranean Sea.

Essential Question #7

What are the characteristics and accomplishments of the Nile River Valley civilizations?

The Old Kingdom

A period in which the Egyptians developed a system based on the belief that the pharaoh was both king and god.

Social classes appeared as population grew.

Egypt began to barter/trade with other countries.

Egyptian Social Hierarchy

Pharaoh

Priests and Nobles

Craftspeople and Scribes

Farmers, servants, and slaves

Egyptian Religion

Practiced polytheism Focused on afterlife Believed body and spirit were linked

Egyptian Pyramids

Built as tomb for pharaoh Size and shape displays pharaoh’s

importance People’s link to the gods Pharaoh Khufu builds Great Pyramid

The Middle Kingdom

A period of order and stability that lasted until about 1750 BC

Taken over by group called the Hyksos Ahmose of Thebes drove Hyksos out of

Egypt and declared himself pharaoh of all Egypt

The New Kingdom

Period during which Egypt reached height of power

Military power made Egypt rich

Growth and Trade

Used system of bartering Created trade routes to various lands

Egypt took over Imports – goods being brought into the

country Exports – goods being sent out of the

country

Important People

Ramses II – one of greatest pharaohs ever; great military leader

Queen Hatshepsut – increased trade

Hebrews

Became known as the Jews Moved from Mesopotamia to Canaan;

became slaves in Egypt Practiced the world’s first monotheistic

religion: Judaism– Belief in one God; belief that God will send a

messiah (savior) to save the Jewish people– The Torah is the sacred text of Judaism were

all of the origins and basic laws of Judaism are recorded.

Four Important Hebrew Leaders Abraham – called the “father of the Hebrews;” introduced belief in God to the Hebrews; lead the Hebrews into Canaan

Moses – great leader of the Hebrews; lead the Hebrews out of slavery in Egypt; God gave Moses the Ten Commandments (10 most important laws to live by; foundation of Judaism) to give to the Hebrews

King David – founder of the Kingdom of Israel; established Jerusalem as a holy city

King Solomon – built the first great Jewish temple; making Jerusalem and its temple powerful symbols of the Jewish faith in God